We are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest association of Christian churches in South Carolina and in America. One out of every 10 churches in America is affiliated with the SBC (40,000 churches and 15 million members – more than most other denominations combined.) It is the most diverse association of churches.
SBC churches include every race, nationality, and ethnic group. Each Sunday, services are held in over 80 languages in the U.S. One out of every three blacks in the U. S. is a Southern Baptist. In Greenville County our association includes Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Laotian, Black, Arabic, and Romanian Southern Baptist churches.
When SpringWell Church began, two groups gave our church financial support to help us get started:
· The South Carolina Baptist Convention Churches that fellowship together with the goal of evangelizing our state.
· The Southern Baptist 40,000 churches that cooperate together in a worldwide effort of missions.
These two groups gave our church over $20,000 over a 3-year period in support to help us get started – with no strings attached! We now wholeheartedly support these two groups in helping start many other new churches.
Why Not Just Be An Independent Church?
We are an independent church! Every SBC church is completely independent. There is no denominational control or hierarchy, as there are in most other denominations. Each church is self-governed and determines its own affairs.
For example:
· Every SBC church chooses its own pastor
· Every SBC church owns its own buildings and assets
· Every SBC church determines its own programs
What are the Advantages of Affiliating With the SBC?
It allows us to identify with other Christians around the world who are known for their commitment to the Bible. Unlike other groups, the SBC has no man-made “creed”. The Bible is our only authority.
It allows our church to participate in the largest missionary organization in the world. Through the SBC “Cooperative Program” we help support over 7500 missionaries in 104 countries around the world.
