Bert Welch, founding pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in Lancaster, retired Oct. 5 after 20 years of service. He previously served First Baptist of Lancaster, Alice Drive Baptist of Sumter, and Second Baptist of Lancaster. He has served as chairman of the Christian Life and Public Affairs Committee of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and as a trustee of Charleston Southern University. He and his wife, Kathy, plan to relocate to the Charleston area and remain active in supply and interim ministries and enjoy their grandchildren.