First Presbyterian
ABOUT US
The First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood has long been a powerful force for Christ, inspiring
and graceful. With our deep heritage of Leadership and Witness, we are ready for all new
opportunities and challenges. Recently, we have committed ourselves to a renewed mission:
Our Vision:
TO BE A BEACON THAT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO LIVE WITH HOPE, CONFIDENCE AND PEACE THROUGH THE SAVING GRACE AND LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST
Mission Statement:
Through leadership within our community we seek to attract, welcome, and nurture individuals and families who are seeking God and to help them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. This mission will be accomplished through robust worship, discipleship, outreach and education supported by activities/programs, volunteers, staffing and facilities.
WHY WE EXIST
We exist for three main reasons that feel very strongly about. We believe that focusing on these three things is what God calls for us to do. We trust in the Lord and follow his will.
FOCUS ON THE WORD
The Bible is the blueprint on how we should live our lives. We strongly believe that if we follow the Word that we will grow stronger as a community, and close to God. We rely heavily on what the Bible says so that we may not stray away from the path that God has set before us.
FOCUS ON GOD
As long as we keep our focus on God we can not stray. God has set forth a path for us to follow. He has a very specific set of plans that he wants us to follow, and it is our mission to follow His instructions as closely as possible. We understand that we all fall short of the glory of God. We pray and work everyday to do our very best.
FOCUS ON EACH OTHER
As long as we love one another we will grow stronger as a community of believers. We feel that engaging in fellowship is a very important tool that God calls for us to do as often as possible. If we continue to reach the lost and broken, and extend grace, God will bless us for our efforts.
SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST ONE RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME
OUR TEAM
Kyle Hite
Reverend Doctor Kyle Hite serves as the Senior Pastor of our Church. Kyle has a passion for making complex truths simple. He is a pastor, husband of Christie and father of two teenage boys. He ministers with humor and preaches in such a way that people can understand and apply God’s Word to their everyday lives.
Brad Christie
Reverand Doctor Brad Christie serves as the Director of Adult Education at our Church. As a professor at Eskine College, he is a dedicated teacher with a gentle heart and a gift for sharing the word of Christ. He also coordinates the Stephen Ministry.
Elise Collins
Elise Collins is a graduate of Wofford College and Vanderbilt University, where she earned her M. A. in Religion. She is a double PK (preacher’s kid) and MK (missionary kid), and volunteered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for 6 months after college. Amazed that she gets to call FPC her church family and work home, Elise is grateful to be the wife of Christopher and mom to Dawsey, Emma, and Lily. In her free time, you’ll find her curled up with a good book and her dog.
Steve Skinner
Steve Skinner, MM, serves as head coach for the music ensembles. Steve assists in offering songs for congregational worship (Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual Songs) that correspond to the seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ascension, etc.) and the sermon topic. Preparing the choirs to lead in worship is part of his joy, another is helping individuals to “find their voice” (everyone has one!) through choir training or individual attention. Steve’s utmost desire is that worshippers apprehend that their Heavenly Father LOVES to hear them sing—and that we all experience the joy of worshipping together!
Nan Smith
Nan Young Smith has served as the Financial Administrator for the church since 2015. She is responsible for the accounting and payroll, weekly deposits and disbursements, and periodic financial reports. Nan was born and raised in Greenwood and is the proud mother of three boys.
Lea Jones
I started working here in the fall of 2007 and have been blessed to actually love my job. My husband, Rees, and I have been married for 30 years and we have 3 sons. My hobbies include spending time with my family, cooking, reading, college football (particularly University of Georgia), and travel.
OUR HISTORY
1838
Sunday School Began Meeting in Downtown Greenwood
Know as "The Chapel"
Met in the Presbyterian High School Building
1883
Formed Greenwood Presbyterian Church
Started with a humble group of just 59 people
Sanctuary built in 1899
1958
Construction of New Sanctuary
Van Bergen Bell Installed in Tower
Old Sanctuary converted into Alexander Fellowship Hall