The word church means different things to different people. To some, the first thing that comes to mind is a community, a group of people who look out for each other. To others, the first thing to come to mind is the church building — steeples, crosses, stained glass windows. But how many people think of church as a converted office space?

At least 31 people in Columbia do. They are all members of Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship that started meeting in August, 2004 in an office space on Highway 378 in Lexington. They say they are a family, a true faith community. Jane Anderson, one of the founding members, says “We all believe that God has really commissioned us to love each other, and that it’s only by loving each other that we show His love for the world. So we feel this community, this church community, is where we begin.”

Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. They follow basic Baptist doctrine, value worship and study, and are intentionally inclusive of all people. They value the gifts of men and women to all positions of leadership in the church, and honor the baptism and confirmation of Christians coming from other faith traditions.

Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship is located at 4766–B Sunset Boulevard, one and a half miles from I–20. Worship is at 10:30 am on Sundays, and graded study classes are held at 9:15 am on Sundays. For more information, you can call 803-957-1948 or email EBFCBF@sc.rr.com.