[Note: The Greenhouse Series promotes church planting and church renewal in the United States. Each installment spotlights a specific church that has recently been planted or is in the process of revitalization, as a means of encouraging our readership in the victories of the gospel and allowing them the opportunity to support these churches.]

Here is a painful truth: the American South is full of cultural Christians who are in fact non-disciples. In recognition of that fact, Matt Rogers and his family moved to Greenville, SC, to plant Renewal Church and work with other churches to bring genuine gospel renewal to the greater Greenville area.

Matt and his family graduated from Southeastern in 2007, spent two years serving at Crosspoint Church in Clemson, SC, and transitioned to Greenville, SC in 2009 to plant Renewal Church. During the development phase, Toby Dix was added to the pastoral staff and one year later Hugh Carson, a Southeastern graduate and his family joined the team at Renewal. Matt and Hugh both sat under the care, teaching, and leadership of North Wake Church during their time in seminary.

The core issue for planting Renewal Church was the desire to transform the culture of Greenville by producing maturing disciples who in turn make disciples by the power of the Spirit. Hence, the first four small groups began meeting in the fall of 2009 and the first public gathering as Renewal Church happened in March of 2010. The church now has roughly 100 members and an average of 125 in weekly gatherings.  Of those, 80 are actively integrated into one of five current small groups, with 6-8 new groups beginning in the fall. While the church is made up of a diverse collection of believers, the college campuses of Furman, North Greenville, and Greenville Tech are a focus of ministry for Renewal.

In their nearly two-year presence in Greenville, Renewal Church has witnessed God transform several lives through the gospel by the work of the Spirit. As Matt states, “the stories of life change are fascinatingly diverse.” For example, over the past year Matt witnessed his college roommate’s wife trust Christ and was able to baptize her. She has since become involved in a small group, is being encouraged with her husband to lead their own small group, and is also discipling another new believer. Also, while meeting as a congretation at Greenville Tech, Renewal Church engages the city through showing hospitality, various service projects, and diligent prayer. Evidences of God’s work among his people encourages Matt, Toby, and Hugh to press forward in the work of the church.

You, too, can come alongside God’s work through Renewal Church by praying for 1) maturity and multiplication in our people; 2) the spiritual health, discernment, and passion for the leadership and their families; 3) favor with those that we serve in the city; and 4) development of the new small groups needed to provide care for our people.

You can support Renewal Church financially, donating online at www.renewalchurch.cc or by mail: Renewal Church, 201B. West Butler Rd. #151, Mauldin, SC 29662. You can also keep up with the happenings, listen to sermons, and read the blog of Renewal Church via their website. You can also contact the pastoral staff directly by email: Matt (matt@renewalchurch.cc),Toby (toby@renewalchurch.cc), and Hugh (hugh@renewalchurch.cc).