April 17, 2026​

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Dear Eastern Avenue,

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When our family moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 2021, we set about the difficult task of finding a church home. It was hard walking into a place where we knew no one, but everyone else seemed to be lifelong friends. We finally settled on a church community because Maggie was asked by a friend to play on their 4th-grade basketball team (as I’ve mentioned before, church basketball is huge in the South!). Even though the congregation was friendly, it never really felt like home. The experience gave me a huge heart for everyone who has struggled to find a place in a congregation.

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Our place at First Baptist Greenville was limited to the pews and the bleachers. And I’ve often wondered if that was part of the problem. Due to our life circumstances at the time, we weren't able to serve in any ministries while we were there. It taught me a vital lesson: belonging is as much about giving as it is receiving. It isn't a one-way street;

 

we find our place as we find our purpose.

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This spring, our worship series is called “A Place to Call Home.” It began as I imagined what it must have been like for members of the early church to start forming worshipping communities. When did it feel like home for them? The theme rooted itself deeply in me as I imagined all who come to Eastern Avenue on Sundays desiring to find that same sense of belonging.

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We want this place to be one you call home.

 

And in this place, we want you to feel a sense of call. This is where our two-fold pledge drive theme took hold: “To Call and Be Called.” It represents the dual heartbeat of our congregation:

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• To Call: We give our financial resources to ensure we have a place to call home. These gifts support our ministries, our staff, our building, and even the coffee!

• To Be Called: We give our time and talents in response to God’s call on our lives, using our unique gifts to serve one another and our neighbors.

 

Everything we do here at Eastern Avenue

stems from generosity.

 

It is the fuel that turns a building into a home and a crowd into a family. This year, we are asking you to join us in a two-fold commitment:

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By Monday, April 27: Pledge your Financial Support. This allows us to budget for the coming year with confidence, nurturing the home we all share.

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By Monday, June 8: Pledge your Service Support. Following our financial pledge, we invite you to explore where God is calling you to serve. To help with this exploration, we will host a Ministry Open House on May 31 to highlight the many ways you can serve in our church home.

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