Missions We Support

ACTS
ACTS (Area Churches Together Serving) was formed in 1986 to reach out, in Christ's name, to those among us who need temporary, emergency help with groceries, clothing, prescriptions, household goods or utility bills. ACTS is supported by itsmember churches (about 70), individual contributions, and grants. Trinity is one of the original member churches.

ACTS works with other agencies in the area to secure appropriate services for its clients . The validity of clients' need is ensured through interviews and extensive record keeping.

Volunteer service is the only way ACTS can operate. Volunteers are used as food workers, clothing workers, interviewers, office assistants and computer programmers - a wide variety of skills are needed to fill the constantly changing variety of jobs. There is something for anyone interested.

The community can help ACTS by donating food, clothing, housewares and furniture to keep the warehouse stocked; providing financial support (tax deductible); and praying that their work, gifts, and presence will reflect the love that Christ called us to give our neighbors. Over the years, Trinity has continually collected food and monetary donations for ACTS on the first Sunday of the month.

Emmaus
The purpose of Emmaus is to renew the church as the body of Christ in the world through development of leaders and renewal of Christians as faithful, committed disciples of Jesus Christ. The Emmaus of the Midlands Community is run by a board elected by the community each year. They have monthly gatherings on the 4th Friday, and they also hold a men's walk and a women's walk twice a year.

The Rev. Harry Workman encouraged Trinity members to attend an Emmaus walk beginning in 1993. Since then, over 100 members and friends and family of members have attended. Several members of Trinity have been elected to the Board, served as lay directors of a walk, and held other leadership positions. Wanda Barr is the leader of the Trinity group, which does not currently meet on a regular basis.

Trinity has also had members very involved in Chrysalis youth weekends, which is a similar program for teens and young adults.

Epiphany Ministry
The Epiphany Ministry is a three-day ministry (a weekend) for 14 to 18-year-old boys and girls that are locked up in the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) System. It is a ministry sanctioned by the Upper Room of the United Methodist Church.

The ministry is conducted by a group of adults who have attended one of the three-day ministries such as the Walk to Emmaus, Tres Dias, or Happening. There are several ecumenical ministries that are allowed to participate.

These Christians go into the DJJ facility and do a series of talks by clergy and lay people designed to teach these kids all about Jesus, what He did for them, and how He wants to help them in their life today. The weekend ensures that all the kids are fed, nurtured with music, skits and fun-time, along with being loved by those there and being shown that they are loved by God himself.

Several people from Trinity have participated in this ministry, including the following who served as Lay Directors for a particular Epiphany: Donnie Bates, Joye Brotherton, Mark Turner, and Bob Kelly. Trinity members have served this ministry for a number of years, starting in Greenville then moving to Columbia. Bill Bengtson has been a regular at the Epiphany Ministries in Columbia.

The ministry does not just leave the kids with nothing when the weekend is over but does a monthly meeting for the kids that features Bible Study, music, games and — of course — food. The people who participate in this ministry love the Lord but also have a heart for these children who have been broken and in some way broke the law to wind up in a DJJ facility.

Honduras Agape Foundation
The Honduras Agape Foundation (HAF) is a foreign mission ministry to Quimistan, Honduras and surrounding villages. It was started in response to Hurricane Mitch in 1999 by South Aiken Presbyterian, and was soon joined by Trinity and two additional Aiken churches.

Each year, five to six mission trips to the area are held to build homes, kitchens, schoolrooms, latrines, fuel-efficient stoves, and bio-sand filters, which provide safe drinking water. HAF also holds Bible school events, dental clinics, medical brigades and eye clinics. They feed hungry kids, attend worship services, and share the love of Christ with those they help. Since its inception, more than 16 Trinity members have participated in one or more HAF mission trips.

At any given time, 45-50 children are sponsored through HAF in the "Agape Promises" program, which provides the children with school uniforms, books, food, medical and dental care, and weekly Bible study classes. There is also a higher education scholarship program funded equally by HAF and the local community.
HAF frequently works with or hires local labor, and these workers train each other in new tasks, such as building fuel-efficient stoves (even going to the next village and training them), leading them toward the goal of self-sufficiency. When they already have the knowledge to do work needed by their village, HAF provides funds to purchase materials such as PVC piping and tin, so that they can repair their own roof, or run a new water line. HAF is funded solely by donations and periodic fundraisers.

Kairos Prison Ministry
Kairos is an international Christian ministry whose purpose is to establish a strong Christian community among the residents of correctional institutions. Started in 1976, Kairos is currently active in 350 prisons in 31 states and 8 additional countries.

Trinity has been involved with Kairos since 1996. Monthly behind-bars fellowship opportunities are held, with an attendance of 100-150 inmates. A typical prison might have two full-scale weekends per year, followed by monthly reunions. Inmates are strongly encouraged to seek frequent "prayer and share" fellowship.
Bill Bengtson, Ruth Gordy, and Steve Gordy have attended these prison ministry events. Many church members have participated in other ways too – choosing time slots to pray during Kairos weekends so that all involved are lifted in prayer around the clock, making monetary donations, and baking. Kairos is sometimes known as the "cookie ministry," because cookies – in large quantities – are used in some prisons as a tool for communicating unconditional love. Trinity has been a part of that effort, helping change the lives of many who are otherwise forgotten by most of society.

Salkehatchie Summer Service
Salkehatchie is a unique summer program with the main purpose of helping poverty-stricken families who need home repair and maintenance. It was founded by the Rev. John Culp in 1978, shortly before he became pastor at Trinity. The youth who attend are given leadership and growth opportunities that they could never find anywhere else. There are a number of one-week camps held in South Carolina each summer. Trinity sends an average of 14 youth, 3 college students and 4 adults to Salkehatchie every year.

Donnie Bates, Scott Bosley, Ken Clarke, Charlie Fulghum, Erik Kling, Tommy and Mandy Thompson, Chuck Woody, and Harry Workman are among the adults from Trinity who have participated over the years.

The week-long mission experience teaches our youth that poverty does exist, and that they can help by using their time and talents. God often helps them grow spiritually through this program. Salkehatchie changes the lives of both the receiver and the giver.

The Wysongs
Dai and Neva Wysong are missionaries who serve in Kiev, Ukraine, through The Mission Society with their children, Kayla, Kasey, Nick and Kerah. Dai serves as the headmaster of Kiev Christian Academy (KCA). Neva teaches at KCA and coaches girls' basketball. Dai also serves as chairman of the board for Safe Haven International, a transition home for orphanage graduates. Neva was one of the developers of the Life Skills Training Manual, which is being used widely by training educators in Ukraine and Russia.

Neva described their association with Trinity in the following note:

"Trinity was one of the first churches to support our family coming to Kiev, Ukraine in 1999. Our children were 1, 3 and 5 years old at the time. Trinity has always been more than just a financial backer. We have always felt your warmth and prayers and real desire to make a difference in this world!!!
"I remember with fondness the first few years when Trinity would send us a Christmas box....many large boxes would arrive, full of all kinds of fun things from America...candy, toys, hot chocolate, movies, books.....I would cry as we opened them, as a waft of love and care and "home" drifted out....That was crucial for us and our kids at that time in our lives. Now, we are used to life here and there are grocery stores and lots of good things available, so we don't need those boxes, but we always feel a special connection to you all because of your special care for us in that way.

"Our kids also love the tradition of Tommy and Mandy Thompson taking their picture on the playground every visit. We are able to come back to the States every other year, so those pictures have marked the growth of our kids and are a symbol to us of your personal care for us. We are so grateful to you all for your faithful and generous support of our lives here and we treasure you as friends and coworkers in the work of the Lord!"