mercy church myrtle beach sc has become a closely watched local church topic as renewed national attention surrounding Pastor John-Paul “JP” Miller and the story of his late estranged wife, Mica Miller, has brought new focus to the pastor’s current ministry. The congregation emerged after the closure of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach and continues to hold services while Miller’s federal criminal case moves toward trial in October 2026.
The church is much smaller than the congregation Miller previously led, but it remains active in the Myrtle Beach area. Its ministry centers on Christian worship, Bible teaching, prayer, discipleship and outreach. At the same time, the congregation operates under an unusual level of public scrutiny because of the controversies surrounding its pastor and the renewed interest generated by the Netflix documentary series Death of the Pastor’s Wife.
What Is Mercy Church?
Mercy Church is the newer ministry associated with John-Paul Miller following the end of Solid Rock Church’s operation in Myrtle Beach.
Solid Rock had been a significant Christian congregation in the area for years. Miller was its pastor and became a recognizable religious figure in the Myrtle Beach community. The church’s membership and public profile changed dramatically following the breakdown of Miller’s marriage to Mica and her death in April 2024.
After Solid Rock ultimately closed, Miller continued his religious work through a new congregation. Mercy Church began operating in late 2024 and initially relied on temporary meeting spaces rather than a large permanent church building.
The new ministry has remained considerably smaller than Solid Rock was at its height. Reports in 2026 have described gatherings involving a relatively small number of worshippers, with services taking place around the Myrtle Beach area.
The church’s identity is therefore different from that of the former congregation, even though Miller remains the central figure connecting the two ministries.
Who Leads Mercy Church?
John-Paul “JP” Miller is the pastor associated with Mercy Church.
Before creating the new congregation, Miller served as the pastor of Solid Rock Church. His ministry became nationally known following the death of Mica Miller, who had been his wife.
Mica died in North Carolina in April 2024. Authorities ruled her death a suicide. Miller has not been charged with causing her death.
The circumstances surrounding the marriage, the couple’s separation and allegations made by Mica and people close to her have nevertheless remained the subject of intense public discussion.
Miller has denied wrongdoing connected to the allegations surrounding his relationship with Mica.
His current ministry has continued despite the controversy. He has also remarried, marrying Suzie Skinner in 2025. Skinner has been associated with the worship side of his current ministry.
What Happened to Solid Rock Church?
The history of Mercy Church cannot be separated completely from what happened to Solid Rock.
Following Mica Miller’s death, public demonstrations began outside Solid Rock Church. The protests continued as family members and supporters sought additional attention regarding the circumstances surrounding her death and her relationship with Miller.
The congregation subsequently declined significantly. Solid Rock eventually shut down, ending the operation that had made Miller one of the better-known pastors in the Myrtle Beach area.
The former church property was later sold, bringing the physical chapter of Solid Rock to an end.
Miller did not leave ministry permanently. Instead, he established a new congregation and continued preaching.
That transition is one of the main reasons people searching for information about the former church now encounter references to Mercy Church.
Is Mercy Church Still Operating?
Yes. The ministry continues to operate and Miller continues to preach.
The current congregation is substantially smaller than Solid Rock Church was before the controversy surrounding Mica Miller’s death. Services have been associated with different locations rather than the large church campus once used by Solid Rock.
Recent events demonstrate that the congregation remains active. In late August 2026, protesters gathered outside a Mercy Church service while Miller was preaching. The demonstration occurred at a time when national attention surrounding Mica Miller’s story had intensified again.
The renewed interest was partly connected to the release of the Netflix documentary Death of the Pastor’s Wife, which examines Mica’s life, her marriage to Miller and the circumstances surrounding her death.
What Time Are Services Held?
The church has promoted Sunday worship services as part of its regular schedule.
Because meeting locations and arrangements have changed since the ministry began, people considering attendance should confirm the latest schedule directly with the church before making plans.
This is particularly important for visitors who are traveling to Myrtle Beach specifically to attend a service. A schedule that appeared online previously may not necessarily reflect the current arrangement.
The ministry has also promoted activities beyond its main Sunday gathering, including programs for children, young people, adults and seniors.
What Does the Church Focus On?
Mercy Church presents itself as a Christian ministry centered on faith in Jesus Christ, worship and spiritual development.
Its activities include Bible teaching, prayer, fellowship and discipleship. The church also promotes ministry programs aimed at different age groups.
Children’s programming is intended to provide younger members with age-appropriate Christian teaching. A youth ministry serves older children and teenagers, while young-adult activities provide opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth among younger adults.
The church also has a senior-focused ministry and discipleship activities.
These programs indicate that the ministry seeks to function as a traditional Christian congregation despite the unusually high level of public attention surrounding its pastor.
Community Outreach and Missions
Community service is another part of the ministry’s stated work.
Mercy Church has promoted outreach to people experiencing homelessness in the Myrtle Beach area. Such activities can include distributing basic necessities, offering prayer and providing religious materials.
The ministry has also promoted nursing-home outreach, where volunteers participate in fellowship, worship and Bible-related activities with residents.
International missions have also been associated with the church. Its outreach efforts have included support for children in Kenya, with an emphasis on Christian education and assistance with basic needs.
These programs represent the church’s public-facing mission beyond weekly worship services.
Why Is the Church Receiving Attention in 2026?
The church has become newsworthy for reasons that extend far beyond ordinary religious activities.
The largest factor is the continuing public interest in Mica Miller’s death and her relationship with John-Paul Miller.
The release of Death of the Pastor’s Wife in August 2026 brought the case back into the national conversation. The documentary examines Mica’s life, her relationship with Miller, allegations made during their separation and the events surrounding her death.
The renewed attention has also affected the pastor’s current congregation.
On August 30, protesters appeared outside a Mercy Church service. Demonstrators continued calling for answers concerning Mica’s death, although authorities previously ruled the death a suicide.
Miller has not been charged in connection with her death.
The distinction is important because his current federal criminal case involves different allegations.
What Federal Charges Does JP Miller Face?
John-Paul Miller is facing federal charges involving alleged cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators.
According to the federal case, prosecutors accuse Miller of engaging in unwanted communications and other conduct involving his estranged wife before her death. The allegations include claims involving communications, tracking and other forms of harassment.
Miller has pleaded not guilty.
The charges do not accuse him of killing Mica Miller. His federal prosecution is a separate matter from the official determination regarding her death.
The case has experienced several delays. A federal trial that had been scheduled for an earlier period was continued, and the latest reporting places the trial in the October 2026 term.
Because the case remains pending, the allegations should be treated as accusations rather than established facts.
What Happened Between JP Miller and Mica Miller?
Mica Miller and John-Paul Miller had a complicated relationship that has received extensive attention since her death.
Their marriage eventually broke down, and Mica filed for divorce shortly before she died.
People close to Mica later described concerns about the relationship and alleged controlling or abusive behavior. Those allegations have been featured prominently in media coverage and in the Netflix documentary.
Miller has disputed wrongdoing.
Mica was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, 2024. Authorities determined that she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Her death generated questions and public debate that continued long after the official ruling.
Those questions helped fuel demonstrations outside Solid Rock and later contributed to the intense scrutiny surrounding Miller’s new ministry.
How Large Is the Current Congregation?
Mercy Church is considerably smaller than Solid Rock Church was during its more prominent years.
Reports surrounding the current congregation have described attendance as relatively limited, with estimates placing the regular group at roughly a few dozen people or fewer at some services.
The smaller size reflects the dramatic change in Miller’s ministry since 2024.
Solid Rock once operated as a prominent church organization with a much larger physical presence. Mercy Church, by comparison, has developed as a smaller congregation while Miller continues to preach.
Its future size and development remain uncertain as the pastor’s legal proceedings continue and public interest remains high.
Where Does Mercy Church Fit Into Myrtle Beach’s Religious Community?
Myrtle Beach has a large and diverse religious community, ranging from established denominational churches to independent Christian congregations.
Mercy Church falls into the independent ministry category associated with Miller rather than being part of a major traditional denomination.
Its relatively recent creation also means that it does not have the decades-long institutional history associated with some of the area’s established churches.
For local residents, the congregation is therefore best understood as a newer ministry that grew out of the circumstances surrounding the closure of Solid Rock.
What Should People Know Before Visiting?
Anyone interested in attending should first confirm the church’s current meeting location and service schedule.
The ministry’s history is also important to understand. Visitors may encounter media attention, demonstrations or discussions surrounding Miller’s legal case because of the congregation’s association with him.
People attending for religious reasons may therefore experience an environment that receives considerably more public attention than most small churches.
It is also important to distinguish the church’s stated religious mission from the unresolved allegations involving its pastor. The federal case remains pending, and Miller has pleaded not guilty.
Mercy Church Myrtle Beach SC Latest Update
For people searching mercy church myrtle beach sc, the most important current development is that the congregation remains active while its pastor faces an October 2026 federal trial.
The ministry continues to operate after the closure and sale of the former Solid Rock Church property. Miller remains involved in preaching, while the congregation maintains a much smaller profile than his previous church.
At the same time, the church is once again attracting attention following the release of Death of the Pastor’s Wife. Protesters appeared outside a recent service in August, demonstrating that the controversy surrounding Mica Miller’s death has not disappeared.
The official ruling remains that Mica died by suicide, and John-Paul Miller has not been charged in her death. His separate federal case concerns allegations of cyberstalking and making false statements to investigators, and he has pleaded not guilty.
As the federal proceedings move toward the October 2026 trial period, Mercy Church is likely to remain part of the public conversation surrounding Miller and the broader story that has followed his ministry since 2024.
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