BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A church denomination with roots stretching back more than a century is exploring the possibility of planting a new congregation in the Lowcountry, after hearing from local families seeking a church grounded in historic Reformed theology and biblical authority.
The effort is being led by Rev. James Laning, a longtime minister and church planter with the Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA), who said the idea originated after a family in Summerville reached out to the denomination about establishing a church in the Charleston region.
The response, he said, has been encouraging.
“We have received some positive feedback. Someone recently replied to our Facebook ad saying, ‘I am interested in a PRCA church here’ and others have responded with interest, explaining that they have been looking for a faithful, biblical church,” Laning explained.
So far, many of those inquiries have come from residents in Goose Creek, Summerville, and other areas of Berkeley County.
“We hope to hear back from more of y’all,” Laning added. “Lord willing, the church will hold worship services in a location that is central for those who are interested.”
A Life Changed by Grace
Laning’s journey to ministry began during his military service while attending the Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in 1985.
It was there, he said, he heard someone speak about salvation by grace alone in a way that would shape the rest of his life.
“Once I understood that God saves everyone He intends to save, then I understood what salvation by grace alone truly means,” Laning said.
“Bible passages came alive to me, confirming this truth that God is sovereign and always accomplishes His will,” he added. “As a pastor friend later told me, I had been ‘struck by grace.'”
After completing his training in Florida, Laning was sent to California in 1986 to earn certification for his flight wings at Mather Air Force Base near Sacramento. During that time, he met his future wife, Margaret, while attending a singles Bible study at a local Baptist church.
The couple eventually married in 1987 and continued their faith journey together and eventually discovered the Protestant Reformed Churches in 1988.
“What appealed to us the most was the denomination’s high view of Scripture,” Laning said. “We knew what it was like to be in churches that no longer upheld this view.”
After completing his military commitment, the couple moved to Michigan in 1992 so Laning could attend Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary to prepare for the ministry.
Now ordained for nearly 30 years, Laning has served congregations in Michigan and Iowa and currently works as a home missionary and church planter for the denomination.
“We have people from all over the world who contact us because they desire a faithful, Reformed church,” he said.
‘The Church Got Back on Track’
The Protestant Reformed Churches in America emphasize what they describe as the doctrines of sovereign grace, the authority of Scripture and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
When asked what “Reformed” means, Laning offers a simple answer.
“It means the church got back on track,” he said. “The church returned to confess the truth of God’s Word during the time of the great Protestant Reformation.”
But he believes the work of reformation is ongoing.
“We must keep reforming, for there is great temptation to compromise God’s Word,” he said.
Margaret Laning said her own experiences growing up in churches that embraced or gradually yielded to more liberal theology reinforced the importance of biblical authority.
“While growing up, I experienced what it was like to be in a church that rejects the authority of Scripture, even Jesus as the only way of salvation,” she said. “Higher criticism, universalism and evolution, among other things, was tolerated.”
She warned that such shifts can have lasting consequences.
“It all begins with a diminished view of God’s Word,” she said.
Building a Church Community
Should the church plant move forward, Laning said organizers hope to cultivate a congregation focused on worship, biblical teaching and strong relationships among members.
“A church that has a love for God and one another,” he said when asked about the culture they hope to establish. “This will show itself in a thankful life and warm Christian fellowship.”
“Our church culture will also be manifested in a joy-filled desire to tell others of the hope of Jesus Christ within us,” he added.
The church’s worship services would center on expository preaching, which involves teaching directly through passages of Scripture.
“We believe that the expository preaching of the gospel is to be central in our worship services,” Laning said. “The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts by faithful preaching.”
The denomination also places significant emphasis on teaching children through weekly Bible and catechism instruction.
Its core beliefs can also be summarized by the acronym TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints. These doctrines are rooted in the historic Reformed confessions known as the Three Forms of Unity, which include the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dort, and serve as the foundation for the church’s statement of faith and teaching.
Reaching the Community
Laning said the proposed church would welcome longtime Christians, those unfamiliar with Reformed theology and people who may be exploring Christianity for the first time.
“We tell them there is hope,” he said. “In a world marked by sin and brokenness, true hope is not found in ourselves—but in the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel is full of hope.”
“All who truly repent (turn from sin) and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are forgiven of their sins, clothed in His righteousness, and have eternal life—not because of their works, but by grace alone,” he added.
For Christians who may not be familiar with Reformed teachings, Laning said the approach is simple.
“We listen to where they are in their understanding and show them from Scripture the truths of the doctrines of grace,” he said.
Looking Ahead
While organizers have not announced a permanent meeting location, they hope to establish a worship site that is centrally located for interested families throughout Berkeley County and the Charleston region.
Laning is planning meetings with interested residents June 15-19 and are encouraging community members to RSVP in advance.
Speaking directly to Lowcountry residents, Laning extended an invitation.
“Whether you are searching for truth, weighed down by sin or guilt, looking for a faithful church and wanting to grow in your understanding of Scripture, come be a part of our church plant,” he said. “Come hear God’s Word, and magnify His name with us.”
Those interested in learning more about the proposed church plant can contact Laning at [email protected] or visit prcachurchplant.org.
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