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Welcome Letter from the
Pastor |
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Dear Friend, Thanks so much for indicating an interest in our church by entering our Internet website. We are honored that you have taken your time to seek out some information about the Lord's ministry in our local church. I have been the Senior Pastor here since January 1, 1999. I had served here previously from July, 1985 through July, 1989 as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor Johnny H. Bragg. Pastor Bragg, the founding Pastor of the church, died in October 1998, and I assumed the roll as Senior Pastor in 1999. Abundant Life Church has always been noted for being a "loving" and "friendly" church. When people visit they experience first hand the genuine love and concern of our church family. We strive to be a true multi-cultural church, which means we are a church that wants all people, regardless of their race or nationality, to feel welcome and at home. For a number of years we have used the motto, "Think of Us as Family" as an advertisement and a statement of commitment that our goal is to be like family to the people who attend here. To better describe our mission, we have amended our motto as follows: "We Are Family! Embracing all people for the cause of Christ". For this to be more than a great slogan or motto, we have to live it out every day, even when we are not at church. The Great Commission challenges us "to make disciples of all nations...". Our church is an interdenominational, charismatic fellowship. In case you are not familiar with the term, "charismatic", it means we believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to empower people through the giving of spiritual gifts for service in the church. You will find our church to be very balanced. The Bible instructs us in John 4:24 that his worshippers "must worship in spirit and in truth." We sincerely believe the Holy Spirit should be free to move in our services, but we also believe everything we do must be guided by the Word of God. As you review our website, if you have questions, please feel free to call us or e-mail us. We sincerely appreciate your interest in our church. We have enjoyed our visit with you. It would be a real joy and pleasure to have you join us in one of our services, and get a chance to meet you personally. May God richly bless you as you honor and serve Him. In Christ, Johnny Baker |
| WE BELIEVE... | |
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The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative word of God. |
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There is only one God,
eternally existent in three persons: God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit |
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In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal future return to this Earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years. |
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The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ. |
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Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation. |
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In water Baptism - immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. |
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In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life. |
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In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it. |
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The atoning work of Christ on the cross provides provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer. |
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In the blessed hope - rapture of the church at Christ's coming. |
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In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the saved to life everlasting and the lost to everlasting punishment. |
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In the observation of the Lord's supper, consisting of elements - bread and the fruit of the vine - is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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In tithe and offering as God's method for the support of the church. |
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Church Vision |
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The Lord has given our
church an awesome vision! An important part of this vision is
ministering to children and youth for His Kingdom. And as we
successfully reach kids, we will also reach their parents, their
grandparents, their brothers and sisters, as well as their neighbors and
friends. This is an enormous undertaking that will not only make a
difference in our community but will impact the entire Upstate of South
Carolina. |
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Church History |
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The Abundant Life
Church of Greenville, South Carolina, Inc. held its first
service on June 20, 1982. It was formed in a very unusual and remarkable
way, as three churches, Faith Fellowship, Evangel Temple, and Church on
the Rock came together as one to serve and honor
the Lord. It was established to be an
interdenominational body of believers who desire to exalt
the Lord, evangelize the lost, to equip the
saints, and to exhibit the love of Christ through
excellence. The founding Pastor of Abundant Life Church was Johnny H. Bragg, a native of Georgia. He and his wife Lounelle, were the pioneers of God's work in this local body. He provided the spiritual leadership for the church from its inception until his death in October, 1998. Pastor Bragg was assisted over the years by a well qualified Board of Trustees, God appointed and anointed Elders and Deacons, and a quality staff of spirit-filled men and women. In January 1999, Johnny Baker became the Senior Pastor of our church. He had served previously in our church as the Executive Assistant to Pastor Bragg from 1985 to 1989. He originally is from Raleigh, North Carolina and is married to Jan Snipes Baker, and they have two daughters and one grand daughter. Originally the church was located in the former Evangel Temple facility on Poinsett Highway. In 1986, the church purchased thirty seven (37) acres on Farr's Bridge Road in the Berea community. The first service was held at that location in November, 1986. Briefly, the church met in the Berea Middle School until the first building on the Farr's Bridge Road site was completed. The church property also features a three acre lake with a picnic shelter. There is also a softball field and a children's play area near the lake. The church family enjoys picnicking, horse shoes, volleyball, fishing, and a host of other activities in this area of our property. One of the priorities of our church has always been to minister to youth and children. In 1990 a Day Care Center was opened by the Church. It's goal is to provide quality child care in a Christian environment. A few years later a Christian school was opened. Currently we offer a quality Christian education for four-year olds through the sixth grade. More information on the Christian School or our Day Care can be obtained on the website. To this date almost twenty acres of the property have been developed. As far as facilities are concerned we have the following:
The sanctuary
building was completed in 1998 and the first services were held in
Mother's Day of 1998. It was dedicated to
the Lord in 1999. |
