• Ministry Team
  • Good News
  • Welcoming
  • Renewing Faith

Evangelism Ministry Team

The Evangelism Ministry Team is responsible for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have yet to believe the good news, and to conduct a ministry that will invite and encourage people to become members of Summerville Presbyterian Church.

Spreading the Good News

In 2008, the Evangelism Ministry Team:

  • Supported the weekly SPC Dorchester Jail Ministry, through which volunteers led inmates at the Dorchester County jail in St. George in a course based on The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren. The EMT provided funding forward transportation to the jail (gasoline for the church bus) and for the purchase of Bibles for inmates, and recruited team members for this ministry.
  • Supported KAIROS, a biannual ministry at Lieber Correctional Institution which addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men and women through a weekend course in Christianity. The EMT provided housing for leadership team members, led a church-wide cookie drive for the ministry and worked with SPC youth to write agape (letters) for participating inmates.
  • Sponsored the church's Annual Evangelism Event. Provided housing for the guest speakers, Dr. and Mrs. Howard Ostendorff, missionaries affiliated with FamilyLife, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Dr. and Mrs. Ostendorff spoke at both worship services and at a luncheon attended by more than 80 church members. The EMT also led efforts to initiate annual financial support from SPC for the Ostendorffs' ministry.
  • Worked with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to prepare for the Franklin Graham Lowcountry Festival, held in September at the North Charleston Coliseum. The team promoted the event, attended training and coordinated attendance by SPC members. Volunteers also served as counselors, praying with and counseling individuals who came forward to profess their faith. In preparation for the Festival, the EMT introduced the SPC congregation to Operation Andrew/Andy, a prayer program developed by the BGEA.
  • Promoted our church and its ministries and worship opportunities to the Lowcountry through phone book listings and area newspapers.
  • Expanded and promoted the SPC website, www.summerville-presbyterian.org, which includes the history of and information about SPC, directions to the church, a map of church facilities, a photo gallery, resources for SPC members and contact information. EMT members responded to inquiries and issued invitations to web site visitors.

Welcoming His Children

In 2008, the Evangelism Ministry Team:

  • Welcomed visitors through the Ritual of Friendship/Visitors Team, a group of volunteers who made Sunday afternoon phone calls and sent cards to first-time visitors. The team maintained records of prospects for membership and shared this information with the pastor.
  • Welcomed 56 new members into the church family and coordinating with the pastor to lead the New Member Class, a four-week course for prospective and new members offered several times in 2008.
  • Assigned sponsors to new members who requested them, helping new members assimilate into the life of the church. When requested, the EMT worked to find sponsors who had similar family make-up or interests as the new members.
  • Hosted two New Member Dinners, which provided an opportunity for our ministry team to welcome the new members and to introduce them to their assigned elders. New member sponsors and office personnel also attended.
  • Finalized a design for SPC car decals.

Renewing Our Own Faith

In 2008, the Evangelism Ministry Team:

  • Formed a Prayer and Spiritual Renewal Team which initiated Prayer and Spiritual Renewal Gatherings, bimonthly lay-led gatherings held in the Sanctuary. The team began producing a monthly Prayer Calendar, a printed calendar with SPC-specific prayer suggestions, a Psalm and meditations which is included in the first Sunday bulletin for each month and posted on the church website.
  • Promoted and provided volunteers for South Carolina Presbyterian Cursillo, a short course in Christianity held on weekends three times per year for Christians to joyfully refresh their spirits along their faith journeys. SPC added to our growing numbers of participants and volunteers at two of the weekends.
  • Promoted the FamilyLife Weekend to Remember, a conference held annually to teach God's design for marriage and family with the goal of strengthening the relationships of couples.
  • Initiated a small group study entitled Home-Builders (Small Groups for Couples), a series developed by FamilyLife and dedicated to making families all that God intended them to be. Members of the EMT facilitated the course when it was offered during Wednesday Night Live.

Make a Joyful Noise!

Summerville Presbyterian Church has a wonderful choir and music program. Click here to learn more about it.