WOW!! God is moving at Potential Church

Potential Church launched Oct. 7, 2012 with 168 in attendance after many months of gathering and preparation. Since the launch we have experienced amazing worship, decline, growth, and life change. On January 27, 2013 we experienced an exciting time in the life of our church during our first baptism. We witnessed the largest gathering since the launch with 116 people in attendance to celebrate the baptism of 6 people whom had experienced a life change through Jesus Christ as a result of Potential Church. One of the people baptized was Chris, a close friend of mine from high school whom I had not spoken to in over 12 years, and his journey took him far away from God during that time. He accepted Jesus and began a life transformation over the past 5 weeks that can only be explained by the dwelling of the Holy Spirit within his heart. Each week God brings new people like Chris to Potential Church who are seeking hope and redemption and it’s our desire to help them discover it. We are currently averaging 72 people (86 last week) and it is hard to believe we are only 15 weeks old. The community has accepted us with open arms and word is getting out that God is moving at Potential Church.

Five years ago I was desperately seeking my sweet spot and to fully experience what it meant to be obedient to God. Only after releasing the fear, stepping out in total faith, and being completely submissive to the Holy Spirit did God begin to truly reveal Himself and bless us. I have discovered my purpose in life and can’t express the joy that dwells within my heart. God has blessed my family with a wonderful group of believers that love those far from Jesus and believe in the mission of Potential Church. My family and our core group started out saying “The mission is greater than our preference!” and now our preference is to fulfill the mission! If the first 15 weeks is any indicator of the next 15 years then we are in for an amazing journey!

Potential Church making news!!!

Potential Church has made the news again! Below is an article written by Katie Cruice Smith of The Greer Citizen in this months edition. Thank you Katie for contacting us and helping us highlight how God is moving at Potential!!

According to its website, Potential Church’s “heartbeat” is “to authentically experience the love of Christ, joyfully model the life of Christ, and compassionately show the grace of Christ.” And it seems that the newest church in Lyman is already reaching the community in this way. On Oct. 7, Potential Church opened its doors at the old Lyman Armory at 59 Groce Rd. with 168 people in attendance.

Since then, the church has been seeing an average of 75 people at its weekly worship service. “A core group of 12 started gathering, praying, and planning in June,” said Lance Martin lead Pastor of Potential Church. “We consistently grew throughout the summer, meeting on Sunday nights, and began a sign campaign throughout the community.”Already the church is reaching out to the community for its first series, “The Gift,” which started this past Sunday. Martin is using social media to ask people ”what is the best, worst, tackiest, oddest, or sweetest gift they have ever received for Christmas.”

The small church is growing quickly, already having seen several people getting saved and several more waiting to be baptized in the church’s first baptismal service at the end of January. “God’s done a wonderful work,” Martin said. “We call our members ‘Partner’s’ because we’re in this together.” Potential Church is seeking to present itself as a different kind of church- one where age, culture, background, and race don’t set people apart but rather brings them together. The modern worship, which is lead by worship leader Mitch Roberts, is one way that Potential Church is trying to be different. The attire for the worship services is causal dress. The kids worship is interactive with signing, games, and valuable lessons.

“Our motto is ‘helping people reach their full potential in Jesus Christ,’” Martin said. “We have people from from all age groups, walks of life, and backgrounds.” Currently, the church only meets on Sundays at 10am.

Potential Church Launch

It’s been a long time since I last blogged. You could say I have been a little busy. I have had the honor of birthing a new church in my hometown. God called Allison and I over 2 years ago to plant a new church and last week we witnessed His faithfulness. We have been blessed with such an amazing core team of people who have strong faith, can see the vision, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make Potential church a place of hope for our community. God continues to amaze us each week. The first week we saw 168 people and last week (week2) we had 106 people. Potential Church has the leadership of God and His spirit meets us each week. Below is a quick highlight video of our first week!