What began with fewer than 50 members and a desire to reach beyond the walls of the church has grown into hundreds of members, nearly 900 families served and a vision for a new community center at Unity Christian Church.
Pastor TJ Grooms said the church has grown from about 47 members when he arrived two years ago to approximately 250 to 300 today. He credits much of that growth to an emphasis on serving people beyond Sunday morning.
“We want to fill in that gap and be like, ‘Hey, you’re not forgotten,’” Grooms said, particularly of families living in rural communities where resources may be harder to access. “Alcolu and Manning and our rural areas ... deserve excellence just as much as New York City, or Columbia, or Charleston.”
That approach has led to a growing list of programs, including the church’s Community Baby Shower, Unity Christmas Store, expungement ministry, youth programs and summer camp. Church materials estimate the programs have collectively served nearly 900 families at no cost.
This summer, more than 130 children participated in Unity’s free seven-week summer camp, held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The electronic-free camp combined field trips and traditional summer activities with reading, math and exposure to careers and community leaders.
The program also created summer jobs for 26 teenagers and young adults, giving them work experience while teaching budgeting and financial literacy. Children in the camp ranged from ages 3 to 12, and the church also piloted a program serving six children with special needs.
That effort extends into Sunday mornings through Unity’s special needs ministry. The church employs two certified special education teachers and allows parents to bring children 30 minutes before worship and pick them up 30 minutes afterward. Grooms said the ministry gives parents an opportunity to worship and fellowship without feeling as though their child is a burden.
But as Unity’s membership and outreach have grown, so has its need for space.
During summer camp, chairs are removed from the sanctuary so it can function as a youth center throughout the week. This summer, more than 100 children shared the space for lessons and activities ranging from obstacle courses to laser tag.
“We need a building,” Grooms said. “They need their own gym. They need their own classroom space.”
Unity hopes to build a multipurpose community center with classroom and recreational space. Plans include after-school tutoring and mentoring, parenting and life-skills programs, health and wellness resources, workforce training and space for community events.
Grooms said he hopes to build the center debt-free rather than take on a mortgage that could pull resources away from the church’s outreach.
To help launch that effort, Unity will host “A Night of Unity Gala: A Black-Tie Affair” at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at The Matrix Center in Manning.
The evening will include dinner, a live band, dancing, special guests and a presentation highlighting the church’s work and plans for the center. Proceeds will go toward the building fund.
Individual tickets are $125, while tables are $1,000. Sponsorship opportunities include Bronze at $1,000, Silver at $3,000 and Gold at $5,000, with custom contributions also accepted.
The long-term vision includes expanding Unity’s after-school program until 8 p.m., allowing children to receive dinner, complete homework and receive academic support before their parents pick them up.
“We want to be that village to help support our parents and our teachers,” Grooms said.
For ticket, sponsorship or donation information, contact Unity Christian Church at 803-473-3929 or unitycc101@gmail.com.
