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The Presbytery of Kendall
South Carolina
The Rev. Dr. David Bender and Edye Bender serve Communion to Linda Kennedy at the first worship service of Faith Presbyterian Church in October 2007. Photo by Joel Nichols.
When Paul and Sarah sold their family home and moved across the country, they said goodbye to the comfort of their special church home, exchanging familiarity for new possibilities in a new locale. Once they had moved in, they responded to a sign announcing a new Presbyterian church. That new church development, Faith Presbyterian Church, called an organizing pastor some months later, and he quickly contacted Sarah and Paul. They replied that they would love to meet him, but that very day Sarah was scheduled to have a serious surgical procedure. The pastor left immediately to find them at the hospital. They shared a time of prayer and care that the couple thought they had left behind, and now they are committed to God’s work in Faith Church.
Paul and Sarah’s story is not unusual. Other folks from all over the country are leaving home, job, family, and church and moving to the northern panhandle of Lancaster County, South Carolina. Back in 2004, Providence Presbytery began praying and planning for God’s will in launching a new congregation in the panhandle. The New Church Development Commission organized in 2005 and called the Rev. Dr. David M. Bender in early 2007. On World Communion Sunday in October, more than 180 presbytery and community folks gathered for worship for the first time at Faith Presbyterian Church. Through God’s grace, the people are coming, and the church and its ministry are growing.
Providence Presbytery is home to 8,829 Presbyterians in 58 congregations. Charleston Atlantic and Providence presbyteries support Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center.
Presbytery Staff
Mark Verdery, general presbyter and stated clerk
Kathryn McGregor, associate presbyter for education and resourcing
Dot Killian, associate presbyter for congregational development and mission
Rose Lemmons-Berry, business administrator
Fred Powell, interim consultant for mission
John O’Kain, Winthrop University campus ministry director
Inez Glasgow, administrative assistant
Art Gatewood, new church development consultant
David Bender, organizing pastor,
Faith Presbyterian Church
Jill Wilson, communications coordinator
Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center Staff
Keith Newman, executive director
Kat Ward, program director
Sandra Parker, office manager
Bob Bergvist, facilities director
Nancy Lowery, food service director
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Martha Smyrski, BOP
Jean Sniffen, GAMC
John Sniffen, GAMC
Holy God, thank you for the new opportunities for mission and ministry that you place in our lives. Give us the strength and wisdom to serve where you call, and allow us to share the love of Jesus wherever we find ourselves. Amen.
Ps. 104, 149 Ps. 138, 98
Ezra 9:1–15 or Ezra 6:1–22
Rev. 17:1–14; Matt. 14:22–36
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