We are only one generation removed from a segregated South. We are only four generations removed from slavery in the United States. Wounds are still healing. Memory of overt racism in South Carolina churches linger. The remnants are here, with us, on display every Sunday in the South. Those that vote together, go to school together, get groceries together, and play ball together, typically don’t worship together. We want to change that. 

NewSpring believes that racism is a sin. NewSpring desires to be a culturally and racially diverse church. We know that we can overcome the great divide of racism because we serve a God who has wounds. He bore the wounds so that we don’t have to. 

We reject the notion that Scripture condones slavery or the superiority of one race over another. To those who have used the Bible to justify their bigotry, and to those who have rejected the Gospel because of this misperception, we say, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). In other words, mere claims to truth give way to the truth of God. His truth can stand up to all manner of ignorance, insult, meanness, cruelty, and hate. 

We reject the notion that Scripture disallows or even discourages interracial marriage. We believe that a man and woman who love Jesus regardless of any other commonality can live a happy, fruitful, blessed, and God-honoring life together. We will encourage and support the marriage of any man and woman unified in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We embrace couples and children of those couples of every conceivable racial combination. 

We believe that no matter the years of ingrained hatred, the gospel of Jesus Christ is strong enough to penetrate the toughest, most calloused heart. We believe that no matter the years of hurt, abuse, isolation, bigotry, and favoritism that forgiveness can be found in Jesus Christ. He can overwhelm our bitterness with His love. 

We believe that racial reconciliation is only possible under the banner of Jesus Christ. No political ideology or worldly philosophy has the answer for racial equality. The answer is only found in the gospel. We are unified as brothers and sisters in Christ, we live by the same Spirit if we are of the Spirit of God. 

Galatians 3:26-29 says, “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

When we are in Christ, we are the same to Christ. Though Jesus is exclusively the only way to God, that way is open to all, regardless of race, tribe, or nationality. 

When we are born again, we are born into a new family. In this extraordinary family, we do not lose our distinctives. We do not lose our racial, ethnic, or linguistic uniqueness. Instead, we are united in Spirit. When we submit to Jesus as Lord, God breathes the same Spirit in each of us. 

We are not interested in settling for a polite tolerance. Rather, we choose to embrace and celebrate our differences while uniting together in Christ. 

We believe that our church demographic should be a reflection of the new kingdom demographic: all people, every tribe, every nation, every tongue under heaven. We have a long way to go but with God’s help we are straining toward what is ahead. 

Galatians 3:26-29, Genesis 11:1-8, Acts 2:1-13, Revelation 7:9