Christian Life had its beginnings back in the 1930’s when several interested families began meeting in their homes. Soon this group of believers decided that a permanent place of worship was needed. Rev. Julius Rish was called to become pastor of this infant church. He served until 1938.

Rev. H. D. Ferrel succeeded Rev. Rish and under his ministry the church was well on its way to being established. A building program was begun and upon its completion, the small congregation adopted the name, Assembly of God Tabernacle. Rev. Ferrel served as pastor until 1941. Rev. V. L. Clark, whose ministry extended into 1945, succeeded Rev. Ferrel.

Beginning in 1976, Rev. J. C. Hunnicutt led the church for the next 31 years. He served in the honorary capacity of Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1992. While under his ministry, the congregation moved from the Olympia Mill area to facilities on Richland Street and adopted the name, First Assembly of God. 

When Rev. Hunnicutt stepped down from his Senior Pastor position in 1976, Rev. Steven R. Brown stepped in. Rev. Brown served as pastor until 1994 when he resigned to become Superintendent for the South Carolina District of the Assemblies of God.

In 1978, approximately twelve acres of land was purchased on Bush River Road in the Woodland Hills area and a new building program was initiated. On September 11, 1979, the name of this assembly was changed from First Assembly of God to Christian Life Assembly. In the spring of 1980, the congregation moved to the Bush River property to begin enjoying a new 14,000-sq. ft. sanctuary and educational facility. This led to immediate work on securing a “master site plan” and preliminary drawings for an additional 31,000-sq. ft. Family Life Center and Administration/Education complex.

In the fall of 1984, a major Capital Stewardship drive was launched with hopes of raising slightly over one million dollars to pay for these facilities. Approximately $750,000 was raised over and above regular offerings. The entire Administrative Education Complex was completed and paid for with more than three-fourths of the 18,000-sq. ft. Family Life Center being completed at its dedication in June 1994.

In October 1994, Rev. J. Stephen Chitty became our Senior Pastor and a new era of growth began for Christian Life Assembly. Under Pastor Chitty’s capable direction, the main sanctuary was expanded and redecorated and the West parking area was paved to accommodate one service. The congregation continued to grow as a result of his strong spiritual leadership. We moved to three worship services and made plans to add more space to accommodate the new growth.

Under the leadership of the pastoral staff, all areas of church ministry have experienced growth and development. Our services are marked by dynamic worship and relevant teaching. Area 41 (our youth ministry) is a diverse blend of activity, meaningful messages, and tremendous worship. KIDZ Life is designed for the 21st century to equip children in their worship, relationship with Christ, and evangelism.

On May 23, 2004, the church gathered for a Celebration Sunday to kick off our Building to Touch Lives campaign to, and for the glory of, the Lord. Nearly $2.5 million was pledged to fund the beginning of expanding our walls and resources to offer a place for you and yours. 

Sunday, May 22, 2005, at 10 AM, under a tent on the property, we celebrated the 1st anniversary of our Building To Touch Lives campaign with a worship and praise service during which we broke ground for the new worship center!

The new worship facility, adjacent to the original building on Bush River Road, was completed in September 2006, and includes a café, store for books and resources, and nursery facilities. At 25,000 square feet, the new facility seats 1000. Sunday, September 10, 2006, at 10 AM, we celebrated with dedicating the new building. We call the new building...the Main Auditorium as this is where we have our worship services Sunday mornings and our Wednesday evening Bible studies with Pastor Stephen Chitty. The Mission of the Christian Life Family is to create environments in which people encounter God, resulting in purpose-filled lives based on a biblical world view.