Jay Thornell
Minister
jthornell321@gmail.com
About
About US
Diverse, United, Connected
We are a community of people from “all over” who live along the Grand Strand, are united by our faith in Jesus, and value the importance of connection. We believe God wants us to enjoy our lives at the beach and rest in His grace. At times we fail, but Jesus gives us a reason to always get up.
Our Mission
Love God and Love People
Our mission is to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:19). Once we experience how much we are loved by God, we are empowered to love God and people. After all, “we love because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19). We want to help others experience how much they are loved by God.
Our focus
Being Disciples and Making Disciples of Jesus
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is good news for us and the world. This is why we focus on being disciples and making disciples of Jesus. We are committed to:
- Helping young adults find answers to questions they are asking
- Providing a strong support system for retirees on the Grand Strand
- Serving as a spiritual oasis to those who spend a few weeks or months at the beach
The Church of Christ
The Church of Christ was created by God in Jerusalem soon after the life of Christ. Specifically, this happened on a Jewish holiday called “Pentecost”, 50 days after “Passover”, the time that Jesus was crucified and returned to life. (See Acts Chapter 2).
Our American version of the Church of Christ was born out of the American “restoration movement” in the 1800’s. At that time in history, there was a revolution going on in church organization. Unlike any time before, regular folks felt empowered to start up churches rather than mainstream in the big established churches. There was a feeling that these old Christian religions had become encumbered and encrusted with men’s opinions and church politics. There was a spirit of renewal, one that promoted the return to basic Christian principles.
Our Staff
Gina Gordon
Children and Women's Minister
msginagscoc@gmail.com
Melody Ayres
Office Administrator
gscocsec@gmail.com
Jeff Hannington
Property Manager
Crystal Lemmons
Finance Manager
Elders
Chuck Cahoon
Wes Gordon
Kevin Lemmons
Deacons
Tony Ayres
Wister Basden
Jeff Hannington
Steve Howard
Steve Klein
Andy McClellan
As a “Church of Christ,” we exclusively use acapella congregational singing in our worship to the Lord. However, we use short projected videos on occasion to assist in the message of the day. In some of these videos, there may be instrumental background music.
Our 9:00 am worship service follows the traditional Church of Christ, an all-male leadership model.
Our 10:30 am service, and our online service utilizes a Praise Team approach to song leadership. This consists of 5 individuals, male and female, singing the four parts of harmony and one male leader singing the melody line. The men of the congregation do all other leadership.
In our worship service, we do not do anything special for holidays beyond tailoring the song service and message of the morning in a way that recognizes the spirit or meaning of the holiday. We provide fun activities for the congregation’s children outside the worship service, including “Breakfast with Santa,” an Easter Egg/Candy hunt, “Trunk or Treat,” etc.
The Church of Christ is a non-denominational church structure, as was the earliest form of Christ’s church. As such, each congregation is self-governed on all matters. Although there are many Churches of Christ, there is no governing relationship between them. The only guide used by the leadership of each congregation is the Bible. Each community is under the spiritual care and direction of its eldership. Deacons are a group of servants under the eldership’s leadership who take care of day-to-day activities in the church.
- VENMO – Open a VENMO account, find the church name (“grandstrand-churchofchrist”) and submit your donation. Make sure you change the payment from Public to Private.
- Facebook – On our church group page, using a browser, not a phone or tablet app, you will see a donate button just under the church picture on the right side of your screen. Click on it, and it will take you to a payment page.
- Online Banking – Go to your bank’s online banking site and enter the church as one of your payee accounts. Then make your payment using the website’s instructions.
- Checks – mail in a personal check to the church address. 2212 Glenns Bay Road, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
- Cash – if cash is the only way for you, please drop it by the church when Jay is there. Call ahead to ensure he is there, or call Crystal Lemmons for other instructions.