MISSION DESIGN STATEMENT
PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
I. OUR PRIMARY CONVICTION:
God, through His Holy Spirit,
Has given the body of Christ in Providence
Presbyterian Church everything necessary to:
Praise Him in private and public worship,
Care for and enjoy each other in Jesus.
Witness to His world.
II. OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE:
To cause God joy.
III. OUR PRIORITIES:
- To glorify and enjoy our Lord
- To praise God in worship as we celebrate The Gospel.
- To promote the compassion and fellowship of believers.
- To grow into Biblical literacy.
- To equip each other with confidence in sharing Jesus.
- To witness by tangibly demonstrating the Gospel in daily life.
- To enjoy each other in our errand for God.
IV. WHO WE ARE:
We are God's children because He called us into the fellowship of His only Son, our Lord. Our response to this redemptive call is to enter into God's plan of salvation by obeying His will. This call and response gives our lives eternal purpose.
V. WHO IS OUR AUTHORITY:
The Father Who is the Living God. He lovingly and compassionately sustains His creation. He sent His only begotten Son to offer us salvation as His gift. He sends The Holy Spirit to help us accept His gift.
The Son Who is The Living God. He was born, lived, died and rose from the dead to save us. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, revealing The Father. He died our death so we can live His life.
The Holy Spirit Who is The Living God dwelling within us. He gives us power to obey The Father, glorify The Son and witness to the world. The Holy Spirit inspired The Bible as the written guide for faith and life.
VI. OUR MISSION:
Care: God's compassionate Love experienced in our lives moves us to compassionate care for others. This care is given to others through our physical and spiritual service.
Prepare: Doing God's will involves preparation. We worship to glorify God and encourage each other. We pray so we can know God's will. We study Scriptures so we can grow and bear witness to our Heavenly Father.
Share: Compassionate love and scriptural study create a deep need to share the good news of salvation. We want everyone to believe Jesus and enjoy His abundant Life. We share by giving ourselves to those who believe and those who don't or God's glory.
VII. OUR FUTURE:
God pours out His spirit on us so we can understand our purpose
in life. When Jesus comes again, we will see Him and know
Him and every knee will bow in worship. Our imperfect world
will be His perfect kingdom. This is the future for which we
pray and work.
"Lo, I am doing a new thing. Behold, it springs forth. Don't you see it" - Isaiah 43:19
At the direction of the Steering Committee, the following were appointed to create and design a suitable Mission Design Statement for submission by the Steering Committee to the Charleston Presbytery in order that our church be chartered: Marie Garrett, Janet Murray, Wes Wilhelm and Dr. Gerald Mills. This statement is featured as a foreword to this history.
PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In January 1985, the First Presbyterian Church, located on William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, at the request of the Charleston Presbytery New Church Development Committee, published the following notice in their newsletter:
Last month, the Mission Development Committee of Charleston Presbytery, under the leadership of Dr. Barry Van Deventer, Presbytery executive, met with our Planning and Research Committee to discuss the procedures involved in organizing a new church. This new Church is to be located on the Savannah Presbytery's Camp Grounds on the south end of the island.
This property was originally given to the Savannah Presbytery by the Fraser family, although it is within the bounds of the Charleston Presbytery.
On March 18, 1985, the Charleston Presbytery convened the initial meeting of the Search Committee to find an organizing pastor for the new Presbyterian congregation.
The Search Committee consisted of Charles Ross, Chairman, replaced by Wes Wilhelm; Ellie Dagle, Secretary; Joe Fraser, III; Gary Todd and Ernest Blanchard of the Presbytery; and Frank Sells, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.
In April 1985, the Search Committee completed the first phase of their work Profile for a founding pastor, church information, job description, and the general terms of a call. The second phase, "The Search," began. The search led to Red Bank, New Jersey, where Dr. Mills was heard in his pulpit by Ellie Dagle, Charles Ross and later, by Joseph Fraser, III and Wes Wilhelm. They reported to the Search Committee.
On January 5, 1985, Mr. Frank Sells of Beaufort, South Carolina invited Dr. Mills to be a guest preacher while Dr. and Mrs. Mills were en route to Florida for a vacation. The Search Committee attended this church service. Following the service, the decision was made unanimously to end the search and extend a call to Dr. Mills.
On April 30, 1986, Mrs. Mills and their daughter, Deborah, came to Hilton Head Island to search for their new home. They stayed with the Dagles and were shown homes by Richard Murray. The Mills' purchased a home on Governor's Road in Sea Pines and moved to Hilton Head Island July 9, 1986. In August, Dr. Mills spoke twice at First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head Island, and a reception followed.
Dr. Gerald S. Mills is an Ohio native. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1953. He graduated Princeton Seminary in 1956 with both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Divinity degree. In 1975, he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree. He was ordained at the age of 23. Dr. Mills came to Hilton Head Island from Red Bank Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, New Jersey, a church of 2,400 members, with 22 full-time employees, six of whom were ministers.
Dr. Mills accepted his first ministry in Ambler, Pennsylvania as an Assistant Pastor. From 1958 to 1962, he served as Associate Pastor in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. In 1962, he moved to St. Cloud Presbyterian Church, a 600-member congregation in West Orange, and in 1966, to the New Providence Presbyterian Church, New Providence, New Jersey. He served this 1,100-member church until his move to Red Bank, New Jersey in 1976.
Judith married Gerald in 1954. They have two daughters, Judith and Deborah. Happily, Judy shared Gerry's enthusiasm in the challenge to come to a small island and begin a new church. This little band of believers, having a charter membership of 138 members, has shown overwhelming support for their founding pastor, who believes that our church's one main purpose and supreme objective is to "CAUSE GOD JOY."
The first service given by our church, then known as Providence Presbyterian Church, was held at the Seabrook retirement home September 7, 1986, with 205 in attendance. The choir consisted of three people under the Directors of Music, John E. and Mary Kay Beall Carter. The Steering Committee consisted of Ellie Dagle, Joe Fraser, Jr., John Groesbeck, Janet Murray and Wes Wilhelm.
At a congregational meeting, it was unanimously voted to take the name "Providence Presbyterian Church" when we were chartered, replacing the name Providence Presbyterian Chapel which had been used. On October 12, 1986, Charleston Presbytery voted unanimously to organize Providence Presbyterian Chapel as the new Providence Presbyterian Church. The following directive was issued:
- To elect a commission charged with the responsibility to constitute the Providence Presbyterian Chapel as a Church.
- To install Dr. Gerald S. Mills as pastor of the newly-organized church.
- To order and install duly elected elders to be the first Session of the church.
- To determine the date, time and place the Service is to be held.
- To complete any business necessary to perfect the organization of the church and report its actions to the next meeting of the Charleston Presbytery.
On Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 p.m., the Presbytery of Charleston officially recognized the organization and naming of the Providence Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island in ceremonies at the Seabrook. At this time, Dr. Mills was installed. The sermon was delivered by Dr. Mills' friend, Dr. Thomas W. Gillespie, President of Princeton Theological Seminary. Taking part in this service were three elders of Providence. They were Weston Wilhelm, who was Chairman of the Search Committee and became the first Clerk of Session, Ellie Dagle and Janet Murray. The other elders formally installed were Joseph Fraser, Jr., Marie Garrett, Jack Groesbeck, Jack Lightbody, Charles Perry and Helen Soutter. Among the distinguished visitors participating in the installation ceremony were Dr. Benjamin Ward, Moderator; Dr. Barry Van Deventer, executive of the Charleston Presbytery; Dr. Richard Bass, executive of the Savannah Presbytery; the Reverend Dr. Frank Sells and Elders Gary Todd and Ernest Blanchard of the First Presbyterian Church, Beaufort, South Carolina; and the Reverend Dr. John Miller. Following the ceremony, a reception was given which was coordinated by Becky Fraser and Mary Coleman.
At the year's end, we had 138 members.
Easter Sunday, April 1987, Providence held its first service in the new chapel. The charter members were presented with a special certificate signed by Presbytery executive Barry Van Deventer.
The new chapel, located across from the Hilton Head Inn, was originally the chapel for the Savannah Presbytery's campground. It was completely renovated with new walls, ceiling and windows. The carpeting was donated by a visitor who had attended only one service. Renovating the chapel cost more than $40,000, which was paid out of current expenses, without a request for additional funds. On January 10, 1987, Providence was able to give the Charleston Presbytery $10,000.00 for missions. This generous amount was acquired without "pledging." There isn't any pledging in Providence. The only "pledge" Providence asks of its members is "that you pledge your life to Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour".
The church office was, at this time, located in the Executive Center off Sea Pines Circle for Dr. Mills and the church secretary, Billie Jo Phillips. In October 1987, mobile units were moved next to the church. They were renovated to become the nursery, Sunday school classrooms and the church offices.
On December 10, 1987, an anniversary party was held at the Mariner's Inn. It was truly a celebration, for during this year, the choir had grown to 40 members, and the church had four active circles in the Women's Association, a weekly men's breakfast, singles' and couples' groups, and weekly prayer groups. On December 13, 1987, the Session obtained and installed new Elders. They were Jean Fassett, Ted McDowell, Mack Parsons, Robert Shelburne and Jane Short. Ellie Dagle had resigned September 14. Our first Communicant to join was Graham Coleman. Our first picture directory was published September 1988. At the end of 1987, we had a total of 203 members, with 74 new members.
In 1988, the first steps were begun to realize the dream of our own church. building. Dr. Mills persuaded the Session not to employ a fund raiser. He wanted to visit each member and talk to them about our vision and their spiritual growth. "Lighting the Torch" began July 11, 1988. To start the initial planning, on September 12, Mack Parsons, Joe Fraser and Wes Wilhelm were appointed by the Pastor to begin plans for a Building Committee. On January 6, 1989, the congregation unanimously elected Mack Parsons, Chairman, Wes Wilhelm, Vice Chairman, Jim Coleman, Vance Fowler, Simon Fraser, Peggy Morgan and Janet Murray as the Building Committee.
New elders during this period were Pat Shelburne and Allen Russell. The Session consisted of twelve members. They were Ken Ballinger, Jean Fassett, Joe Fraser, Jr., Marie Garrett, Ted McDowell, Charles Perry, Allen Russell, Pat Shelburne, Jane Shortt, Helen Soutter and Wes Wilhelm. Robert Shelburne was recently deceased. Ellie Dagle, Jack Groesbeck and Janet Murray were presented with certificates upon completion of their terms.
At the end of 1988, we had a total of 302 members, with 106 new members.
"Lighting the Torch" continued with such enthusiasm for the remainder of the year that $1,601.75 had been obtained, adding amounts of intended gifts by each family unit. Dr. and Mrs. Mills were so elated that they gave a celebration brunch for the congregation on January 15, 1989 at the Country Club of Hilton Head.
In March 1989, our first Deacons were nominated. They were Jean Ellor, Outreach; Ed Fienning, Care Committee; Bob McCormick, Moderator; Peg Morgan, Sanctuary Committee; and Jack Peterson, Property Committee. Soon, with the Deacons, it became clear that their main endeavor and one that would serve our church the best was developing a Shepherding Committee, which would particularly aid those who were ill or unable to help themselves and to encourage fellowship in our church.
Fellowship is number one on the priority list of activities, and the church had been organized for only a month in 1986 when there was a Vagabond boat trip. These activities were many and vary from picnics, spaghetti dinners to pancake suppers. The boat trips were an annual activity until Hurricane Hugo devastated the Carolina coast on September 21, 1989, causing the cancellation of our boat trip. We rejoiced, however, in knowing that we could help in some way. Therefore, we donated the cost of the boat trip, raised funds and gave over $21,000 for "Hugo Relief." This was a critical time for South Carolina and we sent work teams daily from our church for weeks to aid the homeless in the Charleston area.
On December 11, 1989, new Elders elected were Vance Fowler, Gordon Henry, June Huston and Earl Morgan. Retiring Elders were Ken Ballinger, Ted McDowell and Jane Shortt.
At the end of 1989, we had a total of 343 members, with 56 new members. In March 1990, a Search Committee was approves for the search of an Associate Minister. The committee conisted of Randy Dolyniuk, Marilyn Fraser, Bill Jackson, Dick Schroeder, Pat Shelburne and Pat Wood.
In April 1990, Session reluctantly accepted the resignation of Marie Garrett and Joe Fraser, Jr. Gini Kleinert and Ed Furner were elected by the congregation to replace them on Session.
Building progresses to the completion of a "topo" tree survey and soil test. The site of the church is on five acres facing Cordillo Parkway. To celebrate this progress, a ground-breaking ceremony took place on the site in 1990.
At the end of 1990, there were 402 members, 69 of whom were new members.
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