Zion Hill organist Jenita Coggins retires after 60 years of service

Jenita Coggins retired March 26 after 60 years as organist for Zion Hill Baptist Church, Spartanburg. She was 24 years old when she began as organist there, and has played for 20-25 music ministers since then. She first started playing organ at Zion Hill while her father, Jeda Baker, was pastor there. “Ms. Coggins has […]

Upstate pastor Carroll Caldwell receives Order of the Palmetto

Carroll Caldwell was recently honored by Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church in Union on his acceptance of the Order of the Palmetto award, the highest civilian recognition given in South Carolina. The award was presented by Shane Martin during the Sunday evening service on Feb. 26. Caldwell has served as pastor at Padgett’s Creek for 17 […]

‘Churches Helping Churches’

A sister Church, Bowman First Baptist, donated a bus to Rowesville Baptist Church in Orangeburg-Calhoun Association to use to pick up people for Sunday school. “Now that we’re up and running, I would like to honor them for their gracious gift by putting a report in The Courier,” said Rowesville pastor David Royster, “and also […]

Batesburg First celebrates 150 years

First Baptist Church of Batesburg held its 150th homecoming celebration on Oct. 9, with a special worship service and dinner on the grounds. An estimated 450 people were in attendance for the commemorative event, at which State Sen. Katrina Shealy presented a resolution to the church in honor of their 150 years of service to […]

Harris Baptist, Greenwood, honors ministerial staff

The congregation of Harris Baptist Church, Greenwood, honored current and former ministerial staff members. Pictured, from left, are Jake Jenkins, youth pastor; Missy Clegg, children’s minister; David Clegg, associate pastor (26 years); and Frank Thomas, pastor (43 years). Not pictured: Ron Bradford, minister of music.

Bouknight earns D.Min. degree

Steven Bouknight, pastor of Eau Claire Baptist Church in Columbia, was awarded a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Gardner Webb University School of Divinity, at the fall commencement ceremony held Dec. 10. Don Brock of Gateway Baptist Church, Irmo, served as his field supervisor.

Small country church exceeds expectations in giving for shoebox ministry

A small country church, which averages around 40 in attendance, surpassed its goal of filling 600 shoeboxes this year for Operation Christmas Child by almost 350 boxes. Oak Grove Baptist, near Batesburg, began filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child more than 20 years ago. Samaritan’s Purse sponsors the program through which donated shoeboxes filled with […]

Piedmont Association honors longtime ministry assistant Joyce Sudduth

Joyce Sudduth was honored by the Piedmont Baptist Association on Nov. 10 after 45 years of service as ministry assistant. A large group from the association’s churches gathered at Rock Springs Baptist Church, Easley, for her retirement celebration. Accompanied by her husband and family, she received video messages and in-person congratulations from former associational missions […]