—1. It is the on-going mission of Stepping Stones Ministry to teach and preach the complete Word of God; to minister to the lost and hurting and make disciples of all men and women. We will continue in our mandate by Scripture to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to those who thirst and visit the sick and those in prison.

—2. We will continue to operate the thrift store and food pantry - always seeking ways to improve and promote these areas of the ministry.

—3. The ultimate goal of the ministry is to assist men and women in their recovery phase of drug and alcohol addiction through the establishment of an extended transitional housing program.

Bible Studies are conducted at Morris Village each Sunday at 9:00 AM and in transitional housing throughout the week. Over 9,000 Bibles have been given to those in need of one. These Bibles are made possible through the generosity of the families and friends of Elmwood Avenue Church of God.

The Food Pantry is operated on a bi-weekly basis. Eligible recipients are senior citizens, those on an inadequate fixed income, the poor and the homeless. This area of ministry is designed to be a supplement to the individual's income and is provided at no cost to recipients. Approximately 35 families are assisted on a weekly basis.

The Thrift Store is located at 6000-A Two Notch Road and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  Items sold range from all types of clothing to household items and new and used furniture. We accept all donations at the store location. Large items may be picked up by calling (803) 754-1114. Tax receipts are available for donations.

Transitional Housing is operated to assist its residents in the recovery phase of drug and alcohol addiction. This is an extended program of up to 24 months, living in a Christ-centered environment.

  It is designed to assist residents in becoming established in the community and the church.

  House rules have been established and must be adhered to.

  The residents receive the following:
    a) Spiritual guidance through Bible study.
     b) Attend AA meetings.
      c) Attend anger management classes.

  The following programs are being set in order to assist the residents:
    a) Vocational rehabilitation.
     b) One Stop Workforce Investments Act.
      c) Adult education classes.

  Applications are available upon request.

"A physical marker for a spiritual encounter"

     Stepping Stones is an outreach ministry of the Elmwood Avenue Church of God.
     The basic goal of this ministry is to reach outside the four walls of the church and compel people to come to Jesus. We believe the "marriage table" has been made ready, the excuses have been given and received and now God is saying "Go into the highways and byways and compel them to come."
     Before Israel crossed the Jordan River, God told Joshua to have twelve men, one from each tribe, to pick up a stone from the middle of the river and carry it across. On the other side, they were to take these stones and build an altar before the Lord. All who passed by there would know that this altar was a physical marker for a spiritual encounter that Israel had with Jehovah God.
     We believe that this ministry, Stepping Stones, will be "a physical marker for a spiritual encounter" for everyone who passes through it.

   My name is Andrew Herbert. I'm in my early 20s and a member of the Stepping Stones program. These are the things in my life that I lost . . . everything, and in no specific order. And whether for fear of losing something or having already lost it, for five years I tried to replace those things with drugs and alcohol among other things. Until finally, though my flesh required those substances moment by moment, my spirit had already died within me. All my dreams were lost and all hope was gone. And the devil, my puppeteer at the time, still had me believing that continuing to sin was the only relief. But lo and behold, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came on the scene. He told me through His Spirit that He had bought me already with His blood, and that if I would just repent, He would take care of me. Now, I'm here. He's right; I'm wrong. I'm weak; He's strong. He's big; I'm small. I'm short; He's tall. I'm nothing; He's all. I know He has a plan for my life, and everyday I ask him to help carry my troubles. And though I lost everything, I gained Jesus. Now, the only thing I fear more than God Himself is not being with Him.  
—Andrew Herbert