Awaken Church — Local services in North Charleston

Loved it – or at least I thought I did, but I don’t think I’ll ever be going back. After I spoke to an associate pastor by the name of Steve Loadholdt, I walked out the door with the 8 people that I had invited to Awaken Church that morning and we have not been back. I had been going to Awaken Church for several months and was enjoying Pastor Brandon's messages – thought provoking, intuitive, and spiritual – I was getting something out of it, but a new church policy involving ropes barricading the aisles aimed at forcing the congregation to sit in seats that they do not choose was confusing and just too much to bare. I’ve been in churches all of my life and I have NEVER been treated as disrespectfully as I was the day that the ushers and the Summerville Campus pastor, Steve was tasked to hear my issue. Two of the ushers spoke to me as if I were a child acting out because I didn’t get what I wanted, and the associate pastor had a canned story ready to go to justify the churches actions about their seating choices – he wasn’t interested in hearing me. Steve listened – but it was clear that he had already made up his mind that the policy of forcing the congregation to sit next to people they don’t know and in areas where they aren’t comfortable was the policy that the church ‘had in place, and one that would continue.’ It’s clear that the church’s concern isn’t for the lost – since they were ready and willing to let 9 people walk out the door that Sunday because of this – and not return. Before leaving the campus that day, I asked him to make sure that whenever he told his canned justification story, that he also share that it was because of their choices that a man and his friends walked out of the service. What saddens me the most is that even after having my name and contact information passed along to the church staff, no one tried to reach out. Since that Sunday, this issue has been heavy on my heart - and I’ve discussed it with so many fellow church-goers and fellow Christians who have been involved in churches their entire lives, and not one could understand how a church could do something as callous as this. Other members of the Awaken Church volunteer staff disagreed with this policy as well and I am aware that many of them have chosen to resign their posts over it. So, while I had hoped they would come to their senses and allow the people who come to their establishment voluntarily to sit where they choose while they try to worship, learn and get closer to God – I guess their concern for some continues to outweigh their concern for others… and I will continue to be a man...

I love the sermon in the service the pastor really cool is preaching is very compelling true to the word however I had a fall out with the small groups that they had that made me feel more of a outcast especially because I'm not from this area so I recommend if you want something to feed your soul on Sunday this would be a good place to be but to get that community support this place is not the place to be! I honestly feel more ashamed of myself because am different. Small group had made me more isolated and more low about myself when I was honest and real , and was torn down to my very core! But thankfully with technology I can hear the sermons online but i don't feel safe to even come back and see those people again ! God love and showing that shouldn't feel like am at the work place! I should come as I am and who I am with out feeling this way or others to degrade me ! Their small groups are very disorganized and very clicky ! Sorry am not southern sorry I don't have kids sorry I don't know anyone sorry I speak a different language and also come from a different cultural background! As they want me to respect them I to should be respected! Any issues you have they push it to small groups the support system is very disorganized! I understand it's a new e church but this church is growing it shouldn't be any excuse for new comers to feel awkward or lost ! So if they talk about joining small groups which they will please be careful some will make you more ashamed of yourself because your different then them in very way ! The group leaders are not trained very well they have their favorites and very one sided ! Pastor is great but small groups and church events gosh what a big heartbreak and disappointment! I am more alone then ever and very much homesick my old church accepts all people ! Did activities at church and outside of church help the homeless do feeds donations ect . Awaken is more like a big business feel then a...

This church has so much potential . The greeters were very welcoming and worship service was AWSOME! The male guitarist did well and the dimmed lights made the experience GREAT. Where it went downhill fast was when the pastor gave this long introduction to his “friend” the guest speaker. He started off showing pics of his family and then giving financial life stories. I was so ready to hear the gospel and learn but he never delivered. He was selling a book and the entire sermon was based off of his book, which the main pastor said and I quote “I unapologetically ask everyone here to purchase his book the QR code is on the back of everyone’s chair” this is NOT place for a commercial! It's lost and dehydrated souls that needed a word from God and you guys did not deliver. I hope I get to visit again and the sermon preached is just as good or better than the...