Mission congregations
New Mission Starts are the evangelical expression of all of our congregations as one church. It is a means in which we live out our baptismal vocation as community to make God’s redeeming love known to All.
Throughout this page are definitions used to identify our New Mission Starts in South Carolina; from a stage of exploration to becoming an organized congregation. Listed under each definition are our missions with the name of our developers, contact information and worship times. Please consider adding these New Start Missions to your congregation’s prayer list, send a letter or plan a visit to encourage and support your New Mission Starts!
In Christ,
Reverend Rick Carter
Assistant to the Bishop
ELCA South Carolina Synod
Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community Exploration (SAWC Exploration)
— the beginning stages of exploration of a particular field, usually part-time, no gathered community at all at this stage. This is a short-term grant that equips the identified mission developer to do an appropriate area assessment that will yield key information and strategic recommendations for ministry development in that setting. Generally, a leader or team or leaders guide this short-term process for about six months and work with their Director for Evangelical Mission and Synod.
Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community (SAWC)
— a ministry approved by the synod, affirmed by ELCA Domestic Mission that is exploring a particular ministry field. While there are some SAWCs that are part time (snow birds, etc.) most are intended to become Congregations Under Development or move to organization. SAWCs are based on the Bylaws and tradition of the ELCA Constitution.
Christ Community Lutheran of North Charleston
Mission Developer: The Reverend Wayne Young (Interim)
Located: 8315 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418
Worship Time: 10:00AM
For more information regarding the New Mission Start, Christ Community Lutheran of North Charleston,
Contact: The Reverend Joshua Knutson. Email: pastor@christcommunitylnc.org
Our Non-traditional New Mission Starts
Non-traditional New Mission Starts are those worshipping communities that are not located in traditional settings, i.e., worship times and location may vary and these ministries often have specific context or focus.
The Journey, A Performing Arts Ministry
Mission Developer, Minister LaVone Griffin
The Journey is a ministry of Word and Sacrament that is ecumenical and collaborative in nature, i.e., through art of drama, the message of Christ’s reconciling love is portrayed in dramatic fashion to congregations by many volunteers. A schedule of dates, times and titles of productions each year can be obtained by contacting Minister Griffin.
For more information regarding the New Mission Start, The Journey,
Contact: Minister LaVone Griffin, Email: Lavone.griffin62@gmail.com
Our Latino Mission Congregations
Cristo Rey
Mission Developer, The Reverend Jorge Leone
Located: St. David Lutheran Church,
132 St. David’s Church Road, West Columbia, SC 29170
Worship Time: 5:00PM
Cristo Rey also provides two additional preaching points in the Gaston and Pelion communities.
Cristo Rey, Pelion (First Sunday of Every Month)
Worship Time: 10:00AM
Cristo Rey, Gaston (Last Sunday of Every Month)
Worship Time: 10:00AM
Contact: The Reverend Jorge Leone, Email: lacleart@yahoo.com
Sagrada Familia
Mission Developer, The Reverend Jorge Leone
Located: 6904 Satchelford Road, Columbia, SC 29206
Worship Time: 1:20PM
For more information regarding the New Mission Starts of Cristo Rey and Sagrada Familia
Contact: The Reverend Jorge Leone, Email: lacleart@yahoo.com
Nuestro Salvador and parroquia el mesias
Mission Developer team, The Reverend martin joseph lopez, john & cynthia valentin
Located: Nuestro Salvador – 2600 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29615
Parroquia el Mesias – 1100 Log Shoals Road, Mauldin, SC 29662
Worship Time: Services Currently Provided Online
For more information regarding the New Mission Start, Nuestro Salvador
Contact: The Reverend Martin Joseph Lopez at mjlv2006@hotmail.com.
Mission Partners
Get In Touch
This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person–questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Contact Information
ELCA South Carolina Synod
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Telephone 803-765-0590
Fax 803-252-5558
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Related Organizations
James R. Crumley, Jr., Archives (ELCA Archives)
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
NovusWay (Lutheridge+Lutherock+Luther Springs+Lutheranch)
South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth
South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission
