"We are people of faith working in community to be a catalyst and conduit for ministry."
Faith in Action is just what it sounds like – an opportunity to put our faith into action in the Greenville community. Some churches call this outreach, but at Christ Church we’re doing so much more than simply outreach. We’re extending our faith community out into the local area and internationally, too.
The Faith in Action ministry is designed to help people at Christ Church to put their faith into action through a variety of service opportunities which transform both our parishioners and the communities we serve.
In Greenville and the Upstate, we partner with local agencies who
provide everything from basic necessities of living, food, clothing,
& shelter to continuing education, a safe place to recover, and
chances to hit reset on life. See below for a list of our Partner organizations. Internationally, our church has been a legacy partner of agencies who
provide clean water, education, and disease prevention where it’s
needed most with a special focus on Haiti.
Would you like to get involved but you’re not sure where to start? Click here to see our current volunteer opportunities (listed at the bottom of the page).
For more information, contact Kevin Mertens or call 864.282.3100.
FOOD MINISTRIES
Our Food Ministries are a large part of Faith In Action. Read on about the different areas of this important ministry.
Project Host Partner Ministry
In March of 2020, when businesses, community centers, and other organizations were shutting down, our kitchen ministry was gearing up for a partnership with Project Host. Our kitchen ministry takes donations from parishioners and the community to produce meals for the community. These sack lunches are filling the stomachs of those in need in Greenville.
Our most pressing needs at the moment are:
- Sliced meats and cheeses
- Individual assorted chips
- Individual granola bars
- Plastic sandwich bags
- Paper lunch bags
All contributions are appreciated and can be dropped off during regular Parish House hours at the church porte-cochère. Call Kevin Mertens for pick up: 864.282.3100.
Wednesday Night Suppers
Karen, Joyce and the kitchen team make weekly meals for our church family to gather and enjoy in the All Saints Center Gym. Meals generally take on a theme and are a perfect accompaniment to The Common Table, Wednesday night programming at Christ Church, or online offerings such as Clergy Klatch.
Seasonal Soup Sales
When the weather cools down, we offer soup sales from the kitchen team. This is a great (and delicious!) way to support our Food Ministry.
Jim Stewart, Chair
Anne Arrington
Jessica Clayton
Betsy Elliott
Sam Erwin
Valerie Fulton
Rikke Gillespy
Norma Givens
Kay Jenkins
Eric Jordan
Martin McCoy
Karen Padilla
Angelle Reichert, Vestry Representative
Laura Halter Sardone
Kevin Mertens, Staff
Joshua's Way and the Bridge Builder Series
Over the past few years, Christ Church teamed up with agencies to help build 11 homes in the
Sterling Community.
A number of Christ Church members contributed to the purchasing of a
piece of land in the Sterling Community on Jenkins Street in the hopes
of building a school. We soon realized a school was not necessary as
public schools were built in the area. A team of volunteers researched
what this land could become and stay in line with the Sterling Community
Master Plan as well as the intended mission of the land to be for the
betterment of the community. In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity
Greenville, Christ Church has developed a pocket neighborhood that is
becoming a cornerstone in the community for healthy revitalization that
also preserves the integrity of the historic community.
There are other builds to come. We hope you'll join us.
Sterling Community Tutors Can you give one hour per week to help improve a child’s life through homework help and confidence-building? Join us as a Sterling tutor! Sessions are Tuesdays or Thursdays, from 3:30 4:30 PM during the school year.
Angel Tree Program In December, we ask parishioners and friends of Christ Church to provide Christmas presents for a child. Alternatively, you may fill a stocking
for a Sterling Senior (male or female). Or, you may volunteer with our Christmas activities (gift wrapping, etc) on site at Sterling. Click here to learn more.
School Supply Stockpile Drive Each year we help collect school supplies for the kids of the Sterling
Community in collaboration with other local churches.
Christ Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina (EDUSC) have partnered with Eglise Bon Saveur (Episcopal Church) and the people of Cange, Haiti for more than 30 years. During this time, our parish has helped provide fresh water, food, healthcare, and education.
One Sunday each Spring and Fall the offering is collected in all services. The collected funds are sent to the National Episcopal Church Women’s organization to fund projects around the world. Twice in the last two years, grants have been awarded to local organizations in the upstate. The most recent went to Jasmine Road to help fund the ministry for trafficked women.
Join us for a transformational 24-week journey of compassion that invites you to learn how to care for our community and our world through social justice. Classes meet September - March. Contact Kevin Mertens for more information.
Empower a child in foster care by volunteering with Tutor Match, a program of Fostering Great Ideas. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and able to tutor one hour weekly for an average of six months. Contact Shea Waters to get involved.
Put your gifts to work in the Church and the Community! There are so many ways to offer your gifts at Christ Church! Whether you're looking for a way to help out on the weekend or during the week, by yourself or with a group. Click here for a list of our current volunteer needs.
Our Partner Organizations include:
- CFFL - Centre de Formation Fritz Lafontant Vocational School (Corporant, Haiti)
- Feed Thy Neighbor
- GOAL (Greenville Organized for Accountable Leadership)
- Greenville Free Medical Clinic
- Habitat for Humanity
- Isaiah 117
- Jasmine Road
- JumpStart
- Kairos
- Partners in Agriculture (Cange, Haiti)
- Project Care - Stephen's House
- Project Host
- Rebuild Upstate
- Sterling Community Center
- Sterling Hope Center
- United Ministries
Christ Church has a long history of creating sustainable, long-term ministries. Some of the organizations we helped to create include:
- Project Host Soup Kitchen
- Greenville Free Medical Clinic
- Jasmine Road
- Book Distribution Center
- The first public hospital in Greenville
