“Ready to Receive!” is the rally cry that our small EM Carolinas staff & community has leaned into for the last 4 months. Since EM’s mission is “offering powerful experiences for a whole and purposeful life with Jesus” - we asked what does that mean in this COVID-ridden world and specifically for our Greenville SC location?
As we sought the Lord, we believe God is asking us to create a set-aside place in the world where people - men and women, young and old, black and white, rich and poor - can go to encounter beauty, experience connection with Jesus and be encouraged to keep living boldly for the King even in these tumultuous times.
EM Carolinas has a 19 acre farm and 6 bedroom house that we are “making ready to receive” as a retreat space. Staff and volunteers have painted, cleaned (a lot!), pulled up & put down, rewired, sanded and purchased. The result is a light, bright modern farmhouse that can accommodate up to 12 people for an overnight stay and 20+ for day use. It is beautiful and we look forward to sharing a new web page, a property name and more photos very soon!
The outdoor space is also getting attention. A volunteer-led project is offering 20 garden plots/beds to neighbors interested in growing vegetables/flowers/herbs, enjoy the health of gathering outdoor and experience cultivating something of their own. We want to further develop the property with outdoor communing space (trails, fire pits, meditation areas, camp sites) as funding becomes available.
Additionally, being “ready to receive” means having engaging programming that EM hosts and opening the property to individuals and organizations that need space to host their own events. We hosted our first women’s group at the end of March and have a men’s group from Charlotte returning in May for their second retreat. We want to host more events like these, so please send individuals, church teams, and small groups our way!
We are also offering EM-led programming through our monthly gatherings. This year our theme is Vintage Saints & Sinners: Redeeming Hospitality Rhythms in these Hard (covid) Times. Each gathering focuses on the feast of a specific hero of the Christian faith (men & women), has a bit of teaching on historic context and then application discussion to redeem the holiday in today's world context. These are generally held on a Saturday or Sunday. Consider joining us and keep check on our event calendar (here) for more details
A virtual men’s leadership and discipleship cohort, The Iron Collective, is meeting via Zoom every other week plus two in-person retreats over the next six months. Contact Gabe or Billy for more info on joining a future group.
EM Carolinas is ready to receive!….so how can you help? Visit EM for our monthly gathering and/or enjoy some retreat/rest time on the property yourself. Give financially to help EM offer and maintain this space for anyone in need of purpose and wholeness in their walk with Jesus - find specific options here. Refer your churches, place of work, friends, small groups, etc. to us for hosting opportunities. Pray for us -for wisdom, discernment, hospitality as we open our doors so others can powerful and purposeful experiences with Jesus.