Christian Life Church's 2022 Annual Report

We accept God’s Word as our all-sufficient rule for faith and life. We believe we’re to enjoy life that is energized by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We believe that we are Christ’s representatives in this fallen, broken world.

WE ARE A LOCAL COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS, PART OF THE WORLDWIDE FELLOWSHIP OF THOSE WHO HAVE FOUND ETERNAL LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR LEAD PASTOR

J. STEPHEN CHITTY

Pastor Chitty has been the lead pastor of Christian Life Church since 1994.

Loved

ones, thank you for joining us for our 2023 Church Council! It has been our tradition to come together each April to report and celebrate the previous year, as well as pray for God’s continued blessing during the current one! Let me say thank you for a few things…

1. Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting our Christian Life Family financially, spiritually, prayerfully and with your continued presence, service and involvement.

2. Thank you for loving and supporting the various ministries and missions we have partnered with.

3. Thank you for loving and walking alongside all the Pastoral and the Office Staff.

4. Thanks to our Elders who hold tightly to our mission and vision.

5. Most of all, praise be to our God, who has carried us individually and collectively and gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

No doubt 2023 will be a symphony of challenges as well as blessings, but we are confident that “He who began a good work in us will faithfully see it through to completion!”

I love you so much. It is an honor to serve as your shepherd.

PASTOR STEPHEN

NO DOUBT 2023 WILL BE A SYMPHONY OF CHALLENGES AS WELL AS BLESSINGS, BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT “HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN US WILL FAITHFULLY SEE IT THROUGH TO COMPLETION!”

IN THE HEART OF SC.

Christian Life Church is located in the Midlands of South Carolina. We love serving the Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, Forest Acres, Blythewood and Chapin areas, and we frequently have visitors from all over the country as well as a widespread online audience.

The mission of the Christian Life Family is to create environments in which people encounter God, resulting in purpose-filled lives based on a Biblical worldview.

In 2022, our theme was “Fullness.” Our central truth that we focused on is that so many of us may find ourselves living

in a marginalized form of Christianity.

We must not allow ourselves to “measure ourselves by ourselves.” There is always more. The Christian Life holds potential that is described as “exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or even think because of the Holy Spirit that is at work within us.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2022

We officially acquired our new property, and, thus, our Generations project was born.

Pastor Stephen announced his multiple-year plan to step down as lead pastor.

We hired Pastor Bunk to create and lead our Young Adults (CREW) ministry.

We launched a brand new website and new YouTube channel (The Archives).

We saw the revival of our hit Christmas musical production, “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

09.28.22

Pastor Stephen officially announces his wishes to hand off the lead pastor role to Pastor Cory Henderson.

Here’s a quick snapshot of life at the church in 2022.

LIFE AT CHRISTIAN LIFE. 1K

Average weekly church attendance (in-person and online)

600+

People prayed for during and after Sunday services including our phone bank*

2.8K 69

Facebook followers plus 1.3K YouTube and 1K Instagram followers

Life Groups in the spring and the fall

Volunteers across all ministries in the church

400+ 300+ 63 17

Kids, teens and seniors regularly attending their main services on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays respectively

People attended our Next Step classes and 49 of them added to the church family

Water baptisms

*does not include other ministries, special events and hospital visits which would likely bring the total between 1,000 and 2,000 people

LIFE GROUPS

At Christian Life we believe you were created for community. We start new cycles of life groups two times a year – once in the spring (February-April) and once in the fall (September-November).

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PEOPLE ATTENDED THEIR GROUPS WEEKLY DURING THE FALL, AN ALL-TIME HIGH

MEMBERS COMPLETED THE TRAINING CLASSES TO BE LIFE GROUP LEADERS

“My husband, Justin, and I were richly blessed by the Spring 2022 Marriage Enrichment Life Group. The SYMBIS assessment was incredibly beneficial and provided us with a deeper understanding of how our individual personalities impact our decisions and actions within our marriage. We learned how to better understand each other’s motivations and feelings, which has enabled us to better serve one another and strengthen our marriage. The biblical principles we gained and the relationships we built with other couples have been a tremendous support.”

-Rebecca W.

ROYAL RANGERS HIGHLIGHTS

GOLD MEDAL OF ACHIEVEMENT POW WOW 2022

In 2022, three boys earned the highest award a boy can earn in Royal Rangers: The Gold Medal of Achievement. These boys completed the highest award for each age group making them eligible for the Gold Medal of Achievement with Honor. Outpost now has four boys that have received this achievement with honor and a total of 29 out of 130 that have been earned statewide. OP49 has had more boys to receive this award than any other Royal Ranger program in South Carolina.

OP49 had 22 attendees at Pow Wow 2022, where the boys and men were very engaged in competitions as well as the spiritual focus of the event. At this year’s competition, OP49 took home the award for the best gateway -- a feat that had been a goal all year long.

OnJanuary 1, 2020, the Lord spoke to me clearly to bring my family back to Christian Life. We were surprised as we had been deeply involved in a new congregation and were not asking the Lord about leaving. Upon our return, after a few months in the thick of the pandemic, we still found ourselves attending a service we loved but longing to feel connected to the people that surrounded us each week.

In the Fall of 2021, we were able to get started in our first life group led by Nate and Katie Norman. The following semester [2022] Josh and Megan Fulwood led our second group. Both of these groups combined to fulfill that relational connection that we were longing for. Now as we show up on Sundays, there are hugs, conversations and true fellowship with our local church. Life groups broke down a wall for us that we didn’t know how to get over. Now, Christian Life is no longer the church that we attend, but, in our hearts, it is truly our church family.

TYLER L. LIFE GROUP MEMBER

MISSIONS

Check out our footprint around the world.

UNITED STATES

GUATEMALA ECUADOR

EL SALVADOR

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC COSTA RICA

In post-COVID 2022, we were so excited to get back on the mission field and took mission trips to Arizona, Atlanta, Kansas City, Florida and Costa Rica. We also held four mission fellowship banquets.

CHILE

HONDURAS CÔTE D’IVOIRE

VENEZUELA

AUSTRIA

TURKEY EGYPT

INDIA POLAND

SRI LANKA SUDAN

KENYA

FAITH

ISRAEL

CHINA LAOS CAMBODIA

PHILIPPINES

INDONESIA

KIDZLIFE

We’re cultivating an environment for all children to learn about the beautiful love story of the Bible and the God who made them!

KidzLife was an answered prayer for our family. It’s a safe place where kids can not only witness the truth of God’s word be modeled before them by their leaders, but it is also a place where they are empowered and encouraged to walk it out personally! To witness children eager to volunteer to read Scripture aloud in service and to pray aloud is so humbling and encouraging. This next generation is going to be equipped to go war with the enemy! As one who grew up in a church atmosphere where children were to be seen and not heard, KidzLife is all I didn’t know I needed for my own kids. It’s been such an impactful and an imperative part of my boys’ growth, and I will never take it for granted.

BRITTANY M.

KIDZLIFE FRIENDS KIDZ PROJECT

KIDZLIFE KIDZLIFE JR.

KIDS ATTENDED EVERY SUNDAY

SALVATIONS AT VBS

KIDS WENT TO CAMP CHILDREN CAME TO VBS

WE ALSO LAUNCHED OUR KIDZLIFE FRIENDS SENSORY ROOM.

There is no doubt that Pastor Bella, her staff and her volunteers love our child dearly and want him to know and love Jesus! They are welcoming, accepting and kind. The Bible is taught in an age-appropriate way that he understands and wants to live out! We LOVE KidzLife!

STEPHENIE S.

“KidzLife has become a second home for our family! Not only are our children learning biblical truths every week, they leave church feeling accepted, loved and known. We have seen their confidence in themselves and their relationship with Jesus grow so much in this season, and we are so thankful to be a part of a ministry that feels more like family!”

“KidzLife is such a blessing to our family. It is a safe place for my girls to develop healthy friendships, learn to pray and get excited about reading the Bible. Pastor Bella and the leaders are Godly role models that my girls look up to and listen to. My kids feel so special and loved when they leave church each week.”

KAITLYN C. DAWN P.

WHERE EVERY CHILD IS LOVED, SEEN AND HEARD.

UNION YOUTH

AtUnion, our heart is to create an atmosphere where middle and high school students can come to Jesus from every direction of life.

In 2022, we had almost 100 teens attend our regular Wednesday night services, and we’ve been growing ever since!

TESTIMONY SPOTLIGHT

Thisyear has been an amazing year, and the Lord has done so much in my life! The Lord has used the youth group to show me so many amazing things to look forward to, and it has also helped me fix my eyes on Him.

The main thing the Lord has done that I will never forget was two years ago at camp when He called me into full-time ministry. I didn’t understand what that meant for the longest time. Then there was an announcement that we were going on a summer mission trip. I knew I had to go!

This trip was so much more

than I thought it was going to be! Not only was the trip fun and eye-opening, but it also allowed me to get a lot closer with friends! Not only that, I discovered that missions are really what I want and what the Lord wants me to do.

Not only has this youth group helped me find Him, but it’s also helped me find myself! The Lord used the youth group to give me my calling, make everlasting friendships and, most importantly, know Him! This youth group will forever be a part of me! The Lord is using it to move through everyone that is there.

T.K.

DAYTONA DREAM CENTER

We took a team of 22 students and leaders on a week-long mission trip in June to the Daytona Dream Center. Our week was filled with compassion ministry, prayer, and memories we will never forget. The youth pastor said our teens were some of the most on fire students he’s seen come through the center.

I’ve served and been a part of a few youth ministries over the past years, and I think one thing that we could all agree on is that Union is unlike any youth ministry out there. It’s a culture that has been built on the very strong foundation that is Christian Life. Students don’t just get prayed for, they pray for each other. Students don’t just hang out, they build community. There’s a quote that says, “today’s youth are tomorrows leaders.” I firmly believe that our youth isn’t just tomorrow’s leaders … they already are the leaders of today,”

RYAN P.

PROTÉGÉ STUDENT LEADERSHIP STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

Sixteen high schoolers completed our student leadership program this summer. For eight weeks, these students met every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to pray, learn, grow and serve. One highlight of these amazing students was when they had a time of spontaneous worship for 2.5 hours.

We had 36 teens serving in ministry at the church (KidzLife, Pre-K, Union services, etc.). This is a big deal for teens to be connected to the greater church body for their spiritual development. When teens are invited into the work of the ministry, it deepens the ownership of their faith.

FINE ARTS PROGRAM

We had 65 teens participate in Union Fine Arts, a program that builds community via teams as they discover, develop and deploy their God-given gifts. Many of our talented teens also won awards at the national level.

WORSHIP

HIGHLIGHTS

NIGHT OF ENCOUNTER

In August, we hosted a worship night with Sam Cabra, Senior Pastor of Reunion Church and founder/director of Kingdom Living Ministries in Oahu, HI. The worship team comprised of several local churches. We had numerous reports of healings, deliverances, spiritual refreshing and renewal from this night.

WORSHIP NIGHTS

The Christian Life worship ministry hosted quarterly, church-wide worship nights. These nights featured extended time in the Lord’s presence, spontaneous worship, and participatory encouragement, prayers and scriptural insights from those who attended.

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ADULTS + CHILDREN COMPRISE THE SEASONAL CHOIR

VOLUNTEERS TOTAL ARE ON OUR TWO ROTATING TEAMS*

*does not include the 25 people in the adult worship choir

One Sunday morning, a lady from a Catholic background reported attending one of our services “by accident.” She entered the sanctuary during the time of worship. She was so overcome by the manifest presence of the Lord that she began to weep during the worship. She continued weeping through the entire service. Following this unexpected encounter, this lady now faithfully attends Christian Life each week.

VOLUNTEERS ARE ON OUR AUDIO/VISUAL TEAM

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

In December, we showcased our Christmas program, “Angels We Have Heard on High.” This endeavor included a 65-member adult choir, a large children’s choir and many others. Both nights saw a combined attendance of 1,200 people.

The Gospel was presented throughout all aspects of the program. We’ve heard many testimonies of lives being powerfully impacted by the Holy Spirit’s presence.

There are not enough adjectives to describe this [Christmas musical]. I was so blessed and needed this as it touched my soul. Not many things touch my soul anymore. I guess that happens when you’ve been in church and have seen and been a part of so much. I think some people become desensitized to it if that makes any sense. Last night just left me in awe! I would say I’m speechless.

YOUNG ADULTS

We created our Young Adults ministry called CREW in 2022 to aid those ages 18 through their 30s in fully loving God, following Jesus and connecting with a community of fellow believers.

During ministry time at the end of service, a woman walked up to me for prayer. She was sobbing. She told me that the message was exactly why she was there. She had severe anxiety about coming and had almost slept through the time to be there.

She told me that she was raped at the beginning of the year, and it has resulted in her experiencing extreme shame. Looking in the mirror was extremely difficult because she didn’t know who she was anymore, and she could not love herself or allow others to love her. The message Pastor Bunk spoke ended talking about receiving love from the Lord and from others but also how important it is to love ourselves. This incredibly strong woman told me that she was ready to accept that and being there that night was exactly what the Lord wanted for her.

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Fast forward to September’s CREW night. She looked like a different person, and I almost didn’t recognize her. She looked like she was in a better place, just at first glance. She came up to let me know how much things had changed in her life since the last time we were together.

Her life is shifting directions. She is more confident and already feeling like the Lord is moving in many ways.

TARA E.

I’ve always felt the reluctance to give myself completely to the Lord. I never had an environment where I could do that with my biological parents. As a defense mechanism, I never allowed myself to be emotionally vulnerable. In fact, I’m barely learning to do that with my husband. I never felt worthy to do that with the Father.

The words Pastor Hazen spoke really resonated, and I felt an astronomical shift in my spirituality. I’d never been up during altar time before, but I immediately moved to be in the presence of the Lord. Paster Bunk prayed over me, yet another new experience for me. I’d never felt the overwhelming feeling of the Lord’s love rushing through me before. I know the Lord had been patiently waiting for me to open my heart the way I did. Paster Hazen prayed over me, and I knew at that moment that the Lord changed the trajectory of my life. I know we are facing spiritual warfare, and the Lord’s plan for me will be to help lead in the fight. I don’t know how yet, but I can feel it.

Even before I knew His love, He’d been there, working on me (on ME, of all people!). I know He hand-selected Christian Life for me. I know He is working through the entire pastoral team. I am so grateful to Him to be where I am in this season of life. I feel so blessed to be a part of an amazing church. I’ve never experienced love like this before.

LAYLA M.

HIGHLIGHTS

LEADERSHIP TEAM LAUNCH NIGHT

After announcing Pastor Bunk’s hire and the plans to launch a young adults ministry in the fall of 2022, we started the ministry with 23 young adult leaders and the vision of CREW was born.

After lots of preparation and prayer, we saw 120 young adults show up for our first-ever CREW service on August 30, 2022. Thanks to the Lord, the night was a great success.

CREW LIFE GROUPS GUESTS AT CREW

We launched five CREW Life Groups in the fall of 2022. These small groups totaled 65 young adults meeting on various days of the week.

Between services and social nights, we saw an estimated 35 guests (people we knew were not a part of Christian Life or people we knew did not attend any of our gatherings in the first two months).

Thereis so much to say, but the big take away I had is that God is my Father and He loves me and has chosen me to be with Him through Jesus. I had many ungodly beliefs, curses and vows that were existing in my life and these things were keeping me from the full freedom that can be found in Christ. I did not know my kinship as a Christian and, therefore, I was fighting battles that had already been finished by Jesus.

I learned to trust the Father more and submit my will to His. He has blessed my family and me so very much. We are in a completely different place than where we were. It was with the Cleansing Stream ministry that I was able to remain prayerful for my son at a time when when he needed God’s intercession. Miracles were witnessed in our lives, and lives were saved. God truly took something that was extremely bad in our lives and turned it for our good. I praise our Lord and Savior Jesus, our Father in Heaven and the Holy Spirit that I am thankful lives in each of us who accept Christ into our hearts!

MICHELE T. CLEANSING STREAM GROUP MEMBER

Itseemed like I had been married all of my life, and then, I wasn’t. What is the proper way to grieve over the death of a loved one? There is no one way, but we need to go through the process for the sake of healing our hearts and our minds.

It was good to know I wasn’t crazy and that this grief season might take awhile. I felt secure in that room where we could just talk, cry, pour our guts out, or none of it, and there was no judgement. We encouraged one another along the way. GriefShare is grounded in the Word of God, and the video testimonies are so helpful. If you have experienced the death of a loved one recently or years ago, I recommend you try GriefShare to help remove stumbling blocks on your journey of healing through your life.

MELINDA C. GRIEFSHARE GROUP MEMBER