Annual Review

Over the past year, the Lord has worked through the church in many ways. From seeing people profess their faith through baptism to serving our community through local missions, East Cooper had the joy of seeing the Lord at work in and through our people. 

Letter from Buster

Dear Church Family, 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul gives three brief exhortations for living out the reality of the Christian faith: rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in all things give thanks. 

The Thessalonians were to rejoice always because of the gospel that came to them not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

In other words, we rejoice in the wonder of sins forgiven by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. We rejoice that we are saved, not because of anything we have done or can do but only because of his righteousness freely given to us by faith alone. 

We are to pray without ceasing, which means that we constantly call out to God for His empowering presence as we seek to live out the faith on a daily basis. We pray without ceasing because we understand that apart from His intervening grace and mercy we cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit or seek to impact or truly impact others with the good news of the gospel (John 15:5). 

In all things we give thanks because of the tender mercies of the Lord expressed to us day after day.

As you read this report: give thanks! Give thanks for those who have gone before us and lived with biblical fidelity, sacrifice, and joy. Give thanks for brothers and sisters who serve this generation with joyful fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13) as we continually understand the embracing, never relenting of love of the Father. Give thanks for men and women who live for the neighborhoods, the nations, and the next generation.

May the living God fill us with hearts that continually rejoice, and with a holy God-intoxicated desire to call out Him for empowering grace as we pray without ceasing. And to truly give thanks as we remember the past, embrace the present, and live with the expectation for the future. 

May His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

Blessings, 

Buster

Refresh

This past year, we explored the topic of Living Generously in the Refresh class and through a sermon series. Read how it impacted both the church body and staff.

Became Members this past year: 92

Total in Membership: 1277

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Baptism

At East Cooper, we practice believer’s baptism, which means we only baptize those who believe and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We immerse because we believe that baptism by immersion underscores and clearly represents the meaning of baptism. It is our desire that we exercise this beautiful ordinance in a way that everyone who is watching would “see the picture” of the gospel of grace.

Total baptized this year: 42

Total kids baptized this year: 20

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50th Anniversary

In August of 1974, forty-five people gathered for the first worship service of the East Cooper Baptist Fellowship. This year, we are celebrating 50 years of the Lord’s faithfulness through the ministries and people of East Cooper Baptist Church. Read about how we have seen the Lord grow our people in generosity and in loving the nations. 

Generosity Missions

Campus Outreach

Campus Outreach (CO), a ministry that exists to take the gospel to college campuses around the world, emphasizes the importance of life-on-life relationships: one individual sharing his or her life with another. Throughout this past year, CO staff and students have done just that. One story that stands out is that of Danielle Garrell, Faith Ziner, and Diana Kenes.

Students that came to faith this year: 12

Students the gospel was shared with: 134

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Bible Drive

PCA launched a Bible Drive at the start of the school year to support ministry work in Africa. Read more about how these students participated in sending the gospel to the nations and supporting one of East Cooper's global partners. 

Bibles Collected: 1084

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New Staff

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Sharon Gravely
High School Ministry Associate
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Aslyn Pifer
Middle School Ministry Associate
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Stephanie Staropoli
Administrative Assistant

Malaysia

One of East Cooper's goals is to send out 500 members on short term mission trips. Find out how Pat Estes participated in this goal and what the Lord taught her through a trip to Malaysia.

Total sent on a short-term trips: 176

Total sent on long-term trips: 2

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Covenant Renewal

Palmetto Christian Academy (PCA) was established as a ministry of East Cooper Baptist Church in 1992. At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, a covenant renewal was launched and explained to all families at parent orientation. Read more about this renewal process below.

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Next Gen Volunteers

Every Sunday, hundreds of volunteers within our church family serve the coming generations from little ones in the nursery to teenagers in the high school ministry. Read why they serve the next generation and how it has been a blessing to them.

"In so many ways, the Lord has put it on my heart to care for children. He has taught me to be patient with their understanding of concepts and to appreciate the wonder and innocence that adults don't always have. Kids are so precious and fun, and I'm thankful I get to connect with them."

"My husband, Jonathan, and I serve with 1st-3rd graders. We want to give back to the family of believers who have helped raise our own children to know the Lord. The Lord has shown me the benefits of working with a team to share the gospel, a new perspective on Bible stories, and a hope for the future as He continually gives me His mercy and grace in leading His people."

"Having four children (with three of them already out of the house), I knew the struggles and issues that teenagers have. I felt called to help with the High School Ministry in order to share the gospel with the teenagers, showing them that they are valuable image bearers of God and are dearly loved by Him."

"Our children are building a valuable community through their participation in Next Gen ministries as they are fostering friendships with fellow Christians their own ages and learning from Christian mentors. The adult volunteers in Next Gen significantly influence my children’s spiritual journey. I serve to help the pastors and leaders as they seek to guide and mentor the next generation of believers."

Student Life Group

For the last two years, Caleb Gravely and Josh Pruitt have been meeting with a Student Life Group once a week here at East Cooper. Read about why these groups are the model for discipleship used in the High School Ministry. 

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Angel Tree

Angel Trees provide ways for church members to extend the love of Christ to children in a tangible way by giving a gift to children in our community. This year, we provided gifts to foster and refugee children. 

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Deacons

Throughout the last few years, PCA coach, Matt Manning, has found joy in watching one of his student's lives transform as he seeks to follow Jesus obediently from high school to college to campuses in Peru. Read more about Matthew Bartlett's story of being discipled through the local church and now making disciples as a CO staff member.

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