Well, I’ve got some exciting news to announce! We have officially hired our new Youth Pastor – Jacob Bonetti! Hiring Staff can be a long, difficult, and sometimes painful process. We have been actively searching for almost 2 years now (COVID didn’t help). But after much prayer and many conversations, we truly believe that God has led us to the right person. Instead of me telling you about Jacob, I’ve asked him to introduce himself and his wonderful wife Hannah (see picture above):
- Hello Coastal! On behalf of Hannah and myself, I am so pleased to be writing to you all as your new Youth Pastor! Words do not describe how excited we are to be a part of what God is doing in Charleston. So many events led to this moment that I cannot possibly elaborate them all during this brief introduction, but please know that I am so grateful to God for leading my family to Coastal. Hannah and I cannot wait to get to know you all, but for those who want to know a little about us, here is a brief explanation of our stories. I was born in the Republic of Georgia and was adopted when I was two years old. I grew up in Abbeville, SC as the youngest of seven children (six of which were adopted). I surrendered my life to Jesus as a seventh grader and shortly after I came to faith, God began to draw me to the call of Student Ministry. I accepted that call and have pursued it ever since. I went to North Greenville University and graduated with a degree in Youth Ministry. During my freshman summer of college, I met my wife here in Charleston while working together at a summer camp. Hannah’s story doesn’t have a true beginning “place.” Hannah grew up in a military household with her dad, mom, and sister, so home was always more about the people than the location. During her sophomore year of high school, she gave her heart to Jesus at a summer camp. Hannah loves children and students and has committed to equipping and educating the next generation. She’s currently a third grade teacher and loves every minute of it! We got married in 2020 and are closing in on two years being married! After graduating from North Greenville with a degree in Youth Ministry, my wife and I patiently worked and waited on God’s direction for where He would have us. We eventually found Coastal Community Church and through a friendship we had with Scott Huff, we began to seriously consider the possibility of coming to Coastal. In spending time with the staff and people of Coastal, God made it clear that we had indeed found home! We are so excited to join the Coastal family to share the love of Jesus to students, to Charleston, and to the world!
I can’t wait for you to meet Jacob and Hannah as well! They are a sweet, humble, gifted couple, who love the Lord, love Students, and already love Coastal! Jacob will be joining us soon, commuting from Greenville, while his wife finishes out the school year teaching. Please add them to your Prayer List, praying for a smooth transition as they move to Charleston, join our Coastal family, and help lead our Students! I simply ask you to do what you do best Coastal – love them! Show them that Coastal hospitality, support them, encourage them, and welcome them to their new home! In fact, if you would like to send them a text, email, or card, here is their current contact information:
Jacob & Hannah Bonetti
65 Villa Rd Apt #408
Greenville, SC 29615
(864)554-2371
thejbonetti12@gmail.com
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris
Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Clothing Team – Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes Friday (TODAY), March 11th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
PINK House – The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley. We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, on Saturday, March 12th, 10am-1pm. Meet at Coastal.
Joseph Floyd Manor Tailgate – Our Tailgate will be rolling and serving our friends downtown at the Joseph Floyd Manor – Thursday, March 17th, 10am-1pm. Meet at Coastal.
Lowcountry Orphan Relief – Lowcountry Orphan Relief provides support services and aid to meet the needs of Lowcountry children identified as at-risk or suffering from abandonment, abuse and/or neglect. Coastal will be serving there, Friday, March 18th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate – We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, March 24th, 6-8:15pm. 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 at 843-870-4613. - Student Ministry Summer Camp! All 6th-12th grade students are invited to join us for an amazing week at Student Life Summer Camp in Lakeland, Florida on June 27-July 1. There will be hundreds of students from all over the southeast joining us for amazing music, messages specifically for teenagers, and great games and recreation! Total cost is $300 per person and friends are invited to join us too! Sign up on www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/connect/students today!! If you would like to sponsor a student or help provide a scholarship (full or partial), or if you have any questions about Camp, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at 859-230-5129.
- Multiple churches (including Coastal) have partnered financially to help completely remodel the PINK House kitchen. In preparation for a professional demolition of the old kitchen, a few handymen (and women) from Coastal are needed to help move the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher out of the kitchen and in to the living room. Volunteers are also needed to help pack the kitchen supplies for temporary storage in other rooms of the house. If you’d like to help, we’ll be meeting at Coastal on Saturday (TOMORROW), March 12th at 10am, as a part of our regular Tailgate/Clothing Distribution at the Pink House. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
- Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, March 19th, 9am-11:30am. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday. You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
- Easter Sunday is April 17th! Coastal is having 6 identical Easter Services over 3 days this year: Friday, April 15th, 7pm; Saturday, April 16th, 4:30pm, 6pm; Sunday, April 17th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am!. Start praying NOW about who you’re going to invite and bring. And with 6 services, keep in mind that it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK! In other words, we need everyone serving and volunteering multiple services! Check with your LIFE Team Leader and go ahead and sign up now! If you are not yet serving, indicate your interest on your Connect Card on Sunday and we will find you a place to serve God by serving others!
P.S. Make sure you mark your calendars and plan to attend our next Night of Worship on Friday night, March 18th, from 7-8:30pm (one week from today). Invite your friends and family to join us for an inspirational evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement. Childcare will be provided for birth to kindergarten (RSVP for Childcare on your Connect Card). The theme for the evening will be, “At the Cross,” the same as the sermon series we’ll be in, preparing us for Easter. It’s really going to be an awesome night! Don’t miss it!
