864-586-5553
info@hopepoint.org
access_timeSundays at 9:00 & 10:30
LinkedIn
YouTube
Vimeo
Instagram

Our History

Home About Us Our History
  • Fall
    2002
    Our Beginning
    In the fall of 2002, a group of families began meeting together to pray and to discern whether God was leading them to start a church on the west side of Spartanburg. Through months of prayer and conversation, God provided the opportunity for these families to connect with a gifted Bible teacher who was serving as an interim pastor at a church in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. Over time, and through continued prayer, these families sensed God’s leading to begin a new church together. They called Richard Smith to serve as the founding pastor.
  • Early
    2003
    Shaping the Vision
    In early 2003, the founding group met regularly with Richard Smith to develop the vision, mission, and beliefs that would shape the church. During this season, the church was given its name, Hope Point. Just as a lighthouse provides guidance and hope to ships at sea, the desire was for Hope Point to be a place where people could find the hope of Jesus Christ, as expressed in Romans 15:13.
  • July
    2003
    Preparing for Launch
    Throughout the spring of 2003, Richard Smith and several families met weekly at a church building in Boiling Springs. This space provided a home for teaching, prayer, and preparation as the church moved toward its public launch. In July 2003, Hope Point held its first worship service at Oakbrook Preparatory School.
  • 2018-
    2019
    Preparing for Launch
    For many years, Hope Point continued to grow in both attendance and ministry impact. In May of 2018, after 15 years of mobile church, the church launched a capital campaign to raise funds toward a down payment on a future permanent property. The campaign was successful, and the church soon identified an old Kia dealership as its new home.

    Working with our architects, Equip Studio, and our general contractor, Harper General Contractors, the building was renovated to support Hope Point’s current ministry needs, while also allowing for future expansion. The church intentionally built out only a portion of the overall plan, with the expectation of completing a Phase Two renovation after paying down a portion of the original mortgage.

    Hope Point held its first worship service in the new building in July of 2019 and experienced significant growth in the years that followed. To accommodate this growth, the church expanded from one worship service to two.
  • 2025-
    2026
    The Close of a Faithful Chapter
    After more than 22 years of faithful ministry at Hope Point, founding pastor Richard Smith announced his retirement in 2025 and concluded his service as Hope Point’s Lead Teaching Pastor in December.

    Richard had helped lead Hope Point from its earliest days as a small group of families seeking God’s direction, through years of growth, ministry expansion, and the move into a permanent church home. His retirement marked the close of an important chapter in the life of Hope Point and the beginning of a season of transition for the church.

    We believe that God is at work in a special way during this time of transition and are trusting Him to provide for the needs of this body. The Elders have called the church to prayer and fasting as we recognize the significance of this season, as well as our need for wisdom, patience, and divine guidance.
  • 2026-
    Present
    A New Chapter
    In January of 2026, Hope Point began a nationwide search for its next Lead Teaching Pastor. The church engaged Slingshot Group to assist with the search, while our elders called the congregation to a season of prayer, fasting, worship, and dependence on the Lord for His direction.

    After seven months of prayer and discernment, the elders announced in August that Justin Huffman had been called to serve as Hope Point’s next Lead Teaching Pastor. Justin and his wife, Chau, visited Hope Point in September, giving the church family an opportunity to spend time with them and hear Justin preach.

    Justin will begin his ministry at Hope Point in October 2026 as the church enters a new season of ministry together. We are grateful for God’s faithfulness throughout Hope Point’s history and continue to trust Him as we seek to applaud God, follow Christ, and live on mission.

    Justin will begin his ministry at Hope Point in October 2026 as the church enters a new season of ministry together. We are grateful for God’s faithfulness throughout Hope Point’s history and continue to trust Him as we seek to applaud God, follow Christ, and live on mission.