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By Doug Clark 

 

TRYON—A surge in new families with young children has led Tryon Presbyterian Church to create the position of Director of Children’s Ministry. Amy McGrath has been chosen to fill that post.

Amy and her husband, Jon, moved to Polk County from Georgetown, S.C., last year. They received a warm welcome when visiting Tryon Presbyterian and soon joined. They have three sons: John is in sixth grade at Polk County Middle School; Jesse is in fourth grade and Sullivan is in kindergarten at Tryon Elementary.

The McGraths have become one of several young families at the church, which has stood on Harmon Field Road for more than half a century. 

Church leaders found they needed to strengthen programs for kids. McGrath was already a member of the church’s Christian Growth Committee, and it was a logical step for her to assume the new role. 

Amy is a certified wildlife biologist with degrees from Clemson and the University of Tennessee. She has previously worked at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Horry-Georgetown Technical College, where she taught courses in Wetlands Ecology, Silviculture and Wildlife Management, among others.

She plans to implement a range of programs, including Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, and, as children grow older, a confirmation class. 

“Another activity I would like to focus on is a monthly family activity – cookouts, campfires, hikes, etc., to give families and any interested church members an opportunity for fellowship,” she said.

Serving children is a whole-church mission, Pastor Allan Purtill stresses.

“Amy’s job is to lead our church together in this ministry,” he said. “I encourage us to follow her lead. We’re all called to do this together. Our job as a church is to pray for the kids, to teach them but then to also show them what that new life in Christ looks like.”