"It's a cult." "They worship their pastor." "They don't read the bible." "Their preacher cusses." "They obviously love their church way too much." Gossip has gripped this campus like a plague, as NewSpring's arrival on campus is being made known. The wave is only rising on the horizon as a mega church with a regular weekly attendance of over 31,000 South Carolinians is establishing their nineteenth campus among us students here on Clemson's campus. With all the information and concerns developing among faculty, staff, and students about NewSpring's presence here in our home, these are the facts. Hold on ladies and gentlemen, because this is going to be one for the books!
NewSpring has over 10,000 volunteers weekly helping in the youth ministry, children ministry, KidSpring, and Sunday services illustrating the core value, "saved people, serve people." Students and volunteers gathered to help students move in here at Clemson, and outreach in the community and within the church is only increasing as the church is growing. I can personally account for the way this church is acting as a channel for God to work through serving there. Volunteering for Fuse, the student ministry, for the past two years has allowed me to join middle school and high school girls as a partner, a side-kick, and a supporter for when life gets too hard to go it alone, something I never had. It gives me the opportunity to see a generation being raised up that gets to experience life without a lot of the regrets, loneliness, and hopelessness that my generation has experienced. It gives me hope for the future of this world and the body of Christ.
Another goal of this church is to reach people far from God, and that is what they are doing with corporate worship, a pastor with an awesome since of humor and a love for God, this church and South Carolina, an intense (to say the least) student ministry, and passionate campus pastors, volunteers, and owners/members. This church has seen the Holy Spirit save mothers, brothers, prodigal sons, and those that many has lost hope in ever seeing in Heaven. It happens week after week, and He is not slowing down.
Therefore, the most important aspect of this church is the 9,950 salvations and over 2,700 salvations among their youth group called FUSE that the church has seen. Yet, focusing on another of their core values "every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God," they humbly understand that God is working in lives and they are being changed for His glory and their joy. To illustrate this basic principal, Avery Burton, a student in the Anderson Fuse, explained saying, "meeting Jesus at NewSpring changed my life. The woman that led me to Christ walked along side me through this journey. She didn't just lead me to Christ and then walk away. I found family here." I have since witnessed this inspirational fourteen year old leading her peers to Christ and walking along side them in the community she has found at NewSpring.
Because of God's work through NewSpring, marriages are being salvaged, schools are being revived, and teenagers are becoming adults without regrets and on fire for God. Government officials, coaches, professors, families, teachers, administrators, drug addicts, prostitutes, the confused, the lost, and the lonely are meeting Jesus. Who is to argue with this obvious work of His hands? As Isaiah 45:9 explains, "Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'The potter has no hands'?"
So, here is what NewSpring is not:
It is not a cult, nor a church that worships its pastor. It is neither a church that does not worship the Lord Jesus Christ, nor a church that does not preach from His word. It is neither a perfect church nor a church that does not strive to be like Jesus.
NewSpring is a church full of messy people. It is a church that claims that it is okay to not be okay, but it is not okay to stay that way. It is a church with a pastor who has been driven to his knees in despair for the lost, and who has rejoiced regularly for those who come home. It is a church that has been given tremendous opportunity to change this state, and as founder of Crossroads Ministry, professor of Evangelism at Anderson University, and distinguished author Clayton King explains, “opportunity bring responsibility and vulnerability.” Illustrated by Clemson campus pastor Cliff Craig, “we want Newspring (specifically on Clemson’s Campus) to be known as a church that truly cares for and about people. Obviously we are going to be known for what we actually do, so our words have to match up with our actions. I am praying that our actions will match up with what Jesus has called His Church to be--a church that reaches people far from God and teaches them how to follow Jesus step by step.”
NewSpring is an imperfect church seeking to serve a perfect God. This church like every other church has made mistakes, it has created controversy, and it does not claim to be perfect. It is a church where the preacher makes you laugh one minute and then yearn for the lost the next. It is a church where everyone is included. It is a church where the bass makes your ears ring hours after the service ends. It is a church that serves its community by givings of tithes and time. It is one church in many locations. It is a church where I got to celebrate 5 of my fellow tigers give their lives to Christ just this past Sunday while lifting my voice with countless other students singing, God.” It is a church that is making a difference, and it is a church that is growing and believing that, “the best is yet to come.”
College students in this era are known for a lot of things. We are known for our parties, twerking, whipping, and many other things that will hold no weight in eternity. Yet, there is a movement here. Our eyes are beginning to turn to see the Son. I believe NewSpring will play a part in this revival. As explained by Clemson football player Artavias Scott, a visit NewSpring church, simply put, “is life changing.”
Give this church a chance. In spite of all that you may hear, a visit to NewSpring may just allow God to change your life!
With house campuses popping up all over the Clemson area and a group now meeting on campus, feel free to visit any of the following this Sunday to see for yourself.
919 Stamp Creek Rd, Salem SC 29676
1108 Oconee Bell Ct, Seneca, SC 29672
314 Kings Way, Clemson, SC 29631
Hardin on Campus at 6 p.m.
You can also check out Newspring.cc/news/new-campus-updates for more information.
