Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Christ Presbyterian Church has been undergoing a transformation.
The Barnwell church recently adopted a new vision, goals and logo. They’ve also added new opportunities and hope to soon welcome a new permanent pastor.
“We are trying to overhaul our image, focus and ministry model,” said interim pastor Al Rivett, whose last day is Sept. 1. “We are in our transition from who we are to who God wants us to be.”
Since coming to the church in September 2022, Rivett has worked to prepare the congregation for their next senior pastor.
“We’ve done a lot to engage the family here at church. Our goal is to celebrate successes and milestones. We want to spiritually flourish together,” said Rivett, citing the church’s new motto.
However, the congregation is now focused on how they can engage with the community, including those who do not go to church.
“There is fertile ground for sharing God’s love is here in Barnwell,” said Rivett.
The church has a variety of mission and outreach programs, including partnering with the Community Soup Kitchen in Barnwell, holding drive-thru prayer events on the first Wednesday of each month in the Barnwell IGA parking lot, attending the Sundial Festival, and supporting various charities. They are also launching two new initiatives.
In June, a new parent support group launched.
“The idea is to give parents the support they need to build stronger relationships with their children,” said Rivett. “There are all sorts of things parents are going through that we want to help with. We understand the importance of being together.”
The group is “not overtly Christian”, Rivett said, but provides parents with an outlet to discuss ways to better relate with their children while giving them resources to help. Collaboration will be key. The group will cover topics like bullying and gender dysphoria.
Launching on Sept. 11 will be an 11-week class called ALPHA to help people with unanswered spiritual questions, such as “Why does God allow certain things to happen?” The class will look “through the lens of Jesus and one’s faith,” Rivett said.
Christ Presbyterian Church has also undergone a rebranding thanks to help from Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce, which designed a new logo and did the coding for a new church website. The new logo featuring the new motto of “Spiritually Flourishing Together” is posted on all materials, including new signage.
The church also printed bookmarks that feature a spiritual health assessment.
As they grow their community outreach, the church is planning for their long-term financial future and for future growth in their congregation. This includes planning for a nursery.
“We don’t need it now, but there will be a time,” said Rivett.
Christ Presbyterian Church has a sister church, the Boiling Springs Chapel. They are looking at how to have a more unified congregation at two locations. This could include more praise and worship to Boiling Springs on Sunday nights.
The church is actively looking for its next senior pastor. Applications are available on the church website.
Services are held at Christ Presbyterian Church’s Barnwell location (848 Hagood Ave., Barnwell) at 10:30 a.m. following Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Sunday services are held at the Boiling Springs location (5079 Boiling Springs Rd., Barnwell) at 5 p.m.
For more information about the church, including its initiatives, services and more, call (803) 259-5653 or visit www.christpresbyterian.us.
