New Grace Church Abbeville SC

Office: 864-519-9570
email: newgracechurch29620@gmail.com

Pastor Matt Turner has served in ministry since 2013. He grew up in the Blue Ridge area of SC, north of Greer, and has lived in the upstate for most of his life. In 2014, he received his Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Southern Wesleyan University. Pastor Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in 2020 from Asbury Theological Seminary. He completed a Clinical Pastoral Education course in 2024 at the Center for Integrative Pastoral Practice, where he served as a Chaplain for the parish of Jackson, SC. Convergence International Ministries ordained Pastor Matt on July 13, 2025.

As a former pastor in the United Methodist Church, Pastor Matt served in SC as the pastor for Zion UMC in Easley from 2013-2017 and Ann Hope & Friendship United Methodist Churches in Seneca from 2017-2021. After being commissioned as a Provisional Elder, Pastor Matt served Bethel & Wesley Chapel United Methodist Churches in Jackson from 2021-2024 and served Grace United Methodist Church in Abbeville from June 2024 until its close in 2025. After serving at Grace UMC, he left the UMC to join Convergence International Ministries and became the senior pastor at New Grace Church in Abbeville.

Pastor Matt's preaching style is a blend of expository and narrative preaching that engages the congregation in a life-application format, teaching Biblical truth and inspiring people to have a deeper connection with Jesus. He is devoted to serving as a pastor of a multigenerational congregation through visitation programs with seniors and homebound individuals, sharing the Word with children during worship, and serving alongside New Grace Church's youth leader to nurture our young people's faith.

Along with his dedication to pastoral ministry, Pastor Matt has a heart for community service and leads by example, encouraging his congregations to do the same.

From 2022 to 2024, he helped form an ecumenical council for the local pastors in the Jackson, Beech Island, and New Ellenton communities. As part of the JBNEC, the pastors grew in faith and shared ideas for ministry partnerships for the people in the region.

From 2020 to 2021, Pastor Matt worked in disaster relief after our city was hit by a tornado on April 13, 2020. He became part of the ongoing recovery committee for those affected by the tornado. Pastor Matt worked with community leaders to revitalize the Utica mill village of Seneca, SC. Briefly, he served on the board of trustees for Our Daily Rest homeless shelter in Seneca, SC, from January to May 2021.

In 2019, Pastor Matt worked with officials from Seneca City and Oconee County to begin a cleanup effort in the Utica mill village. Working together to pick up trash and help people find employment and education through TriCounty Technical College and SC Vocational Rehab.

From 2017 to 2021, he organized a time of worship and prayer for the Wednesday night feeding ministry at Ann Hope UMC in Seneca, SC.

Pastor Matt is excited to join New Grace Church, connect with the Abbeville community, and share the Good News of Jesus.

Pastor Matt has been married to Andrea Turner for 17 years. Dorothy is their only child and enjoys being in the youth group and helping her dad during worship services. Also, the Turner family includes three cats and a dog.

Sarah Little serves as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator for New Grace Church.  Born in raised in Greenville, South Carolina, she was always active in her church growing up.  She graduated from Erskine College in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Education, and shortly after, married her husband, Daniel (who is from Abbeville) in 2008.  Also in education, Daniel’s job moved their family across the state, where they assisted in Children’s Ministry in Latta, South Carolina.  After moving to Spartanburg, SC with work, and assisting with Children’s Sunday School, Sarah and Daniel returned to Abbeville with their three children, Zane (13), Addy Mae (10), and Maggie Beth (5).  They now live on their family farm where they enjoy spending time fishing, riding four-wheelers, and relaxing.

Sarah began her teaching career in Abbeville, teaching Special Education, then taught first grade in Latta.  During this time, she completed her first Master’s Degree from Southern Wesleyan University in Education, and her Education Specialist Degree in Literacy from Converse College.  After returning to the upstate as a school instructional coach, she completed another Master’s degree in Elementary Administration, as well as her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of South Carolina.  She has taught at North Greenville University, and currently serves as the Chair of the Education Department at Erskine College, teaching Special Education and Literacy courses.  She is involved in her community through tutoring, working with parents and schools, and serving her college students.