Marietta, South Carolina
Welcome to Gap Creek Baptist Church. We are located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Marietta, South Carolina. We welcome you to come visit and see our beautiful valley and friendly community, where our new church building is a landmark. We are here to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday School - 9:45 AM
Sunday Morning - 11:00 AM
Sunday Choir Practice - 5:30 PM
Sunday Night - 6:30 PM
Wednesday Night Dinner
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 7:00PM
February 11, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day!
Join us for "A Night with the Stars",
a Valentine's Day Banquet
sponsored by the Gap Creek Youth
February 11, at 5:30 PM
Please check out the Events page for upcoming activities at Gap Creek! Also, share your praises and prayer requests through our Contact form or our Facebook link at the top right corner!
Hi, my name is Harry Levell. I would like to take a moment and welcome you to come join us for any and all of our worship services. Our desire at Gap Creek is to always be in forward motion in fulfilling the Great Commission. Through discipleship, evangelism, ministry, fellowship, and worship we press on to lift high the name of Jesus and reach others for Him, encouraging each other along the way.
Let me share this thought with you -- When storms come rumbling through our area, it often happens that our power either flickers or goes all the way out, at least for time.
I know many times in my life, my power seems to go out. Wether it be a personal storm that causes discouragement, or a temptation that has gotten the best of me, or fears like a thick blanket that snuffs out the light of hope. Sometimes my power goes out, my lights go off. But God tells us in Isaiah 40:31 that when the storms come "we who wait on the Lord shall renew our strength..". Most of the time, my power goes out because of sin. It seduces, lures, and pounces on my weaknesses to the point where I feel helpless and powerless. Here are some things we can do help us when we get in this situation:
- Look for the nearest exit. Don't hang around sin where you will be subject to your weaknesses
- Pray. It is only through prayer, turning your attention back to the Lord, that you will find strength
- Read the Bible. It is only by knowing God's Word that you will be able to use it to combat the world, flesh, and the devil
- Surround yourself with people who are strong in the Lord
In Psalm 62:11 we see that "power belongs to God". God is power. He is our salvation and our glory. He is the rock of our strength.
The closer we stay to the real power source, the less likely our power will go out. He is our power.
We are excited about what God is doing. He is bringing new faces into our church family and bringing many, young and elderly, into His kingdom. Jesus is alive and well. It is exciting to see His hand at work in so many ways. If you're ever this direction, come and see us. But, I better warn you ... you'll want to stay!"
In Christ and for His service,
Harry Levell
Gap Creek Baptist Church, which is nestled between Osborne Mountain and Pinnacle Mountain, has been touched by grace, beauty, and an interesting history. Since its laborious beginnings in the mid 1700's, the church has been tested by fire, withstood wars, prevailed in lawsuits, and been blessed by many interesting congregations.
The first church, a humble log structure built by the men and women of the community, was erected close to Gap Creek Road. In 1859, Mr. Champion Osborne deeded two acres of land, where the current cemetery stands, much to the chargrin of Mrs. Osborne. A new road was cut, another log church was built, and in 1887 it became a charter member of the North Greenville Association. As time progrssed, trouble would brew between the years of 1859 and 1887.
Mr. Osborne died, his wofe posted the land against the church's congregation, and a member of her family blocked the road to the church. This motivated some of the men to cut a new road to access the church. The lawsuit that ensued was in circuit court until September 21, 1870, when a verdict for the defendant was issued.
Around Christmas of 1868, the church burned to the ground. Despite this, the Rev. WB Johnson and Mr. Solomon Jones committed themselves to have church the following Sunday. Their dedication and resolve resulted in an unfinished, yet surely blessed church building. This third building stood for many years.
For the 16 years that M.E. Smith was pastor of Gap Creek, services were held once a month - on Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturday everyone came to church in their work clothes, but on the Sabbath, everyone showed up in their "Sunday's Best."
Around the turn of the century, a frame building was raised where the cemetery and church stands now as more land was purchased. The church began to flourish, singing schools were conducted, and Vacation Bible School was introducted to children.
The loveable country church called Gap Creek was built in 1928. These were lean years but with the help of Spartanburg businessman John Hart, who was reared in the valley, the money was raised and the church building was built. The stained glass windows that grace the building were purchased and tenderly transported from France, and still stands as a landmark in the community today.
With God's grace, Gap Creek Baptist Church (GCBC) flourished in members and in 2004, the plans for the new building broke ground as a service was held to bury a Bible where the pulpit stands today. It has taken countless hours, manpower, volunteers and faith, but as God blessed this community, the new building stands. The first service being held on Easter Sunday in 2008, beginning at the tomb as a reminder who gave us the vision and ability, and ending at the finished building. This charming church has seen the rise and fall of creek waters and pastors, wars won and lost, love bloom and grow, and the buildings come and go. Yet through it all, it stands as a beautiful and blessed monument to the community of River Falls.
Gap Creek Baptist Church has been a steadfast foundation since 1859 to the communities surrounding Jones Gap State Park. We stand firm in our faith making no apologies for God's truth while striving to fulfill God's commandment...it is not God's will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and have everlasting life.
"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:17
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Gap Creek Food and Clothes Pantry is open every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Hours are from 4pm-7pm.
It is located at 381 Gap Creek Road in the old Church building.
If anyone has food or clothes they would like to donate please call 864-293-9453 or 864-836-4002 and leave a message and someone will get back you shortly.
Be in prayer for all of those in need and for this ministry.
If you can serve and help with this ministry, please contact Doris Jacobs.
UPCOMING EVENTS at Gap Creek Baptist Church
We have a church Secretary- Lucinda Jacobs -- hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM - 12 PM.
Wednesday Evening Suppers -- 5:30 PM -- Join us for great food and fellowship Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM. Bible Study following at 7 PM.
Food and Clothes Pantry is open every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. For more information, check with Ms. Doris Jacobs.
February Men's Bible Study -- every Tuesday morning at 8:00 am at Warren Guinn's home, 153 Falls Creek Road, Marietta (February 7, 14, 21, and 28).
Women's Ministry "Think Tank" -- Bring your ideas at the home of Linda Levell on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 7 PM.
February 14, Tuesday, 6:00 PM -- Young at Heart Valnetine's Day Dinner.
February 18, Saturday, 9:00 AM -- Women on Mission will have a work meeting. Bring your projects.
February 18, Saturday, 2:00- 4:00 PM -- A baby shower for baby Ella Grace Gordon
February 19, Sunday at 9:00AM -- Join our New Members Mentor Team -- meeting prior to Sunday School at Fellowship Hall
February 28, Tuesday at 6:30 PM -- Join us for "Souper Tuesday" - we will enjoy some soup at the Fellowship Hall and kick-off for a series of monthly outreach events!
LIFE APPLICATION classes available every Sunday evening at 5 PM:
February 5 - March 11 "Managing Your FInances"
April 1 - May 20 "Fireproof Your Marriage"
June 3 -- July 15 "Love Powered Parenting"
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened."
Sunday School
Sunday School Opportunities
Director: Linda Levell
Gap Creek Baptist Sunday School starts every Sunday mornign at 9:45 AM. Some classes, for example, like Jabez, has a morning prayer time starting at 9:30 AM, so check with your Sunday School teacher to find out any additional information.
Adult Co-Ed
Teachers: Brett Tankersley, Hal Hall
Adult Men
Teacher: Terry Hightower
Adult Women
Teacher: Laurie Tankersley
Adult Women II
Teacher: Pat James
Young Adult (Jabez)
Teacher: Tracy Hall
Youth (6th - 12th Grade)
Teacher: Wanda Gwinn and Chris Embry
4th & 5th Grade
Teacher: Linda Embry
1st - 3rd Grade
Teacher: Lois Keenen
Pre-School
Teachers: Mark & Debbie McCauley, Robin Elrod
UPCOMING EVENTS
DECEMBER 11 -- GCBC Children's Christmas Program, 11 AM
Children and Youth Programs
Join us this Sunday for
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
DECEMBER 11, 2011:
11 AM
