Well, our Spring semester of LIFE Groups has finally started this week! I’ve heard nothing but GREAT things! My Wednesday morning Men’s Group, for example, had 43 MEN show up! 43 Men hungry for fellowship and God! We meet together as a large group and then we break up into small groups. It was really AWESOME! I can’t wait to hear the stories of community, connection, and LIFE change from all of our different Groups! Many of our Groups are full, but for those that aren’t, it’s still not too late to join. Go to our website and sign up today! If you have any questions about Groups, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff.
There are so many exciting things happening behind the scenes at Coastal right now and I want to give you a couple of quick updates:
– We’ve begun the remodeling phase of “The Outpost” – Coastal’s Community Outreach Center that will be a hub for Food and Clothing Distribution. As soon as this phase is complete we’ll announce a “move-in” date where we’ll need plenty of volunteers to help move all of the food and shelving from our current Pantry and all of the clothes and racks from the Laughlin’s home, all to The Outpost. And then after all of that is complete, we’ll be announcing a “Grand Opening” to the church and the community! As soon as we know – you will know! To say that I’m excited to see where this leads and the doors of ministry that it opens is quite the understatement!
– Once that move and opening is complete, we’ll begin a little in house expansion for Coastal Kidz! The wall between the current Pantry and Aly’s office will come down, and we’re going to create another large room for Coastal Kidz. This is going to meet a huge need! It will enable us to break down our age groups even further and relieve several of the classes that are already bursting at the seams. It also means that we’re going to be able to add a room for children with special needs. Again, if you are interested in serving in any capacity in Coastal Kidz and making an eternal impact in the next generation for Jesus, there is a place for you! Reach out to our Children’s Director Aly Huggins.
– And if all of that isn’t enough, we are having meetings now with our Architect, Builder, Engineers, and Lender, all for our future building on our property – a 1200-1300 seat Sanctuary and additional classrooms for Coastal Kidz. We’re also working behind the scenes to prepare for our church wide Giving Campaign this Fall that will enable our church to fund this big project. These are exciting times Coastal! As we like to say, “Hold on to your fork – the best is yet to come!” I love you Coastal! I’ve love getting to serve alongside you as your Pastor! And I love what God has called us to do together – sharing the life and love of Jesus with Charleston and the world!
In His Service & Yours!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Join the team as we travel over to Patriot Villas, a veterans housing facility in North Charleston, to provide encouragement in the form of a fresh hot cup of Coastal coffee, a Krispy Kreme donut and community. We’ll spend the morning serving the veterans, fellowshipping, building relationships and thanking them for their service! TODAY, Friday, February 20th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Kid Friendly Blessing Bag Packing Party: Equipping the future of our church, we will be hosting a Kid-Friendly Clothing Night! This project is designed to get our youngest members involved and understanding what our amazing clothing ministry really does for the people of Charleston. This is a great project for families to do together, serving alongside each other, packing and prepping our clothes to be handed out at Clothing Distributions, Tailgates and more! TODAY, Friday, February 20th, 6pm-7:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Ronald McDonald House Meals that Heal – Breakfast: Ronald McDonald House provides a “Home-away-from-home” where families stay while their children undergo extensive medical treatment. The Meals that Heal program provides a much-needed support service to families taking care of their sick children, who often don’t have the time, funds, or energy to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal. Ages 16+. TOMORROW, Saturday, February 21st, 7:30am-9:15am. Meet at: 81 Gadsden St, Chas (Downtown Charleston).
JFM Fellowship Activity & Devotion: A fun project for kids! We’ll serve at Joseph Floyd Manor (JFM), a public housing facility in Downtown Charleston, playing BINGO with the residents. Monday, February 23rd, 1pm-2:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Brighton Place Fellowship Activity & Devotion: This project will allow us to spend some time with the residents and get to know them better through a lively game of Chair Volleyball, a meal, and devotion. Kid Friendly! Tuesday, February 24th, 1:30pm-3pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
Sewing Project: Sewing experience not required! Come and acquire a new skill while helping others in the community. This team of volunteers will work on zippered pouches, lap quilts, and blankets. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, February 25th, 5pm-8pm.
Food Pantry Sort & Stock: Coastal feeds an enormous amount of people. Come to the church and help keep our Food Pantry organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, February 26th, 11:30am-1pm.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, February 27th, 4pm-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
As always, if you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday or sign up now on our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. - Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday, March 21st, from 9am-12noon, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card (let us know if you need childcare). Breakfast & childcare provided!
- If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is THIS Sunday, February 22nd, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (rescheduled from Sunday, February 1st). This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people. Pizza and childcare provided. You can sign up on our website today!
- Coastal’s Annual 40 Day Easter Fast begins THIS Monday, February 23rd, and goes through Friday, April 3rd! Start thinking now about what you’re going to give up to help prepare yourself and our church spiritually for Easter. Sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday to let us know that you will be participating in the fast.
And speaking of Easter – mark your calendars now, Coastal will be having 7 Easter Services over 3 days: Friday, April 3rd, 7pm; Saturday, April 4th, 4:30pm, 6pm; Sunday, April 5th, 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm. Remember it’s all hands on deck! Sign up now to serve in multiple services! - There is a Safety Team Meeting for all current Team Members and anyone interested in joining the Team, THIS Saturday, February 21st, at 10am in the Coastal Chapel. If you have any questions, please reach out to Officer Cody Howlett.
P.S. At Coastal, we believe in making an impact one life at a time. We’re hosting an Impact Evangelism Seminar, Sunday, March 1st, 5pm-8pm, in the auditorium. Come learn practical tools to help build your confidence to share your faith without fear. Sign up online or RSVP on your Connect Card, and let us know if you’ll need childcare! Dinner provided.
