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UNITING GOD'S PEOPLE...TRANSFORMING OUR CITY
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UNITING GOD'S PEOPLE...TRANSFORMING OUR CITY 〰️
At its core, Come Closer is an invitation. It’s an invitation for God’s people to come closer to one another and closer to the deep needs that exist in Spartanburg. That invitation has resulted in a growing partnership network of churches and Christian marketplace leaders.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We help God’s people better understand the needs that exist in Spartanburg.
We build relational bridges among community leaders.
We engage and equip the Church for strategic, local ministry.
We connect people with effective on-ramps for ministry.
Together, we aim to move the needle on issues that are bigger than any of us can solve on our own.
EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS
Serve the ‘Burg Together in March of 2025 saw hundreds of volunteers from 30 different churches serve at 30 different locations in the community. Volunteers and church leaders gathered together to kick off the weekend with joint worship, prayer, and to catch the vision of what God’s people can do together.
Reaching Inside Project - churches worked together at the end of 2024 to impact one of the significant, but often overlooked mission fields in our area, the Detention Center. Up to 1,000 people a day are held at the center, with nothing but time on their hands. And 93% of them will be re-entering our community after serving short sentences. Over 700 Bibles and discipleship books specifically written for those starting over in life were purchased and delivered, to be distributed among inmates who request them. And we’re hearing the stories from inmates being released! We’re presently continuing to supply additional chaplains to minister on the inside as well.
Water for Life Project - during a heat wave this past summer,, the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen. ran low on water and requested help. Churches worked together to provide a year’s plus supply of bottled water.
Gospel Access for Inner City Children - among past projects, we saw churches come together in partnership, along with funding from a Christian marketplace leader, to launch a ministry focused on reaching kids in low income neighborhoods. That evolved into a non-profit called Sidewalk Hope that now ministers to hundreds of children, most of whose parents have been resistant to attending church.
WHO ARE OUR STAFF?
Chris Pollard, Executive Director
As a church planter and pastor in our city for the last 20 years, preceded by years working in the government and social service sector, Chris brings a big picture understanding of our community’s people, resources, and needs. Chris provides overall vision and oversight, has established relational capital, and communicates the come closer vision to churches, marketplace leaders, and the community at large.
Tony Snipes, Partnership Liaison
Tony brings years of experience in television, Christian radio, and marketing to the Come Closer team. He loves the Lord and is passionate about using his gifting and experience to unite God’s people in reaching our community. Tony also serves as a care pastor in his local church and brings that heart to everything we do. With Come Closer, Tony is the primary contact for current and prospective partners, helping to build and sustain this growing network.