Emma Craig Marler was honored by Bellview Baptist Church, Laurens, May 7. Marler turned 100 years old on May 12. Pastor Barry James presented a plaque to her, and deacon Barry Ficklin and longtime neighbor Ruby Pennington told how Marler had been an inspiration to them. Marler, a member of Bellview for 57 years, served as a “listener” during the 1950s for the church’s youth who memorized scripture through the Bible Memory Association, Inc. She now lives in the Laurens Memorial Home. Pictured with Marler is 3-month-old Katie Stone, the daughter of Eddie and Tonya Stone, and the youngest in attendance.
The congregation of Rabun Creek Baptist Church, Gray Court, celebrated the burning of the mortgage on their sanctuary June 11. Ground was broken in October 1998, and the 7,519-square-foot facility was dedicated Oct. 3, 1999. Jimmy Hogsed was serving as pastor at that time. The $857,536 mortgage was paid off in seven years. Clarence Adkins has been pastor of Rabun Creek since April.
Northbrook Baptist Church, Boiling Springs, presented a white CTS Cadillac to Dr. and Mrs. Wayne Dickard on May 14 in appreciation for their leadership in the church. The presentation was made by Bill Horton, chairman of deacons at the close of the morning worship service.
Nola Eubanks was honored by Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Jefferson, for 75 years as a member of the adult choir. Eubanks also sang in the children’s and youth choir. She attends almost every Sunday with her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The congregation of Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Patrick, broke ground April 16 for a family life center. The 8,400-square-foot facility will include a fellowship hall and gymnasium. Members of the building and design committees are (l to r) Steve Walters, Phillip Aycock, Don Watkins, William Griggs, Kim Byrd, Judy Melton, Tracy Beasley and Curtis Howle. Mount Olivet was established in 1850.
Doug and Kay Williams were directors for Vacation Bible School at Glenn Street Baptist Church, Newberry, June 11-15. The week concluded with family night June 16. Average attendance for VBS was 95. The week’s offering of $417 will be donated to the Newberry Free Medical Clinic to be used toward the purchase of minivans. Pastor Todd Kirkland commented that this was the best VBS he had been a part of during his 13 years of ministry. “The Lord really blessed us all, but the biggest blessing was the six children who came to Christ this week,” he said.
In a drama promoting VBS at Graham Baptist Church, Sumter, director Gail Waynick exclaimed she was “scared to get in a canoe and row down the Yukon River.” Pastor John Patrick and his son Stephen assured her that God would take care of her and she would make it to the “Arctic Edge – Where Adventure Meets Courage” in time for the church’s Vacation Bible School, which was held June 25-30.
Clarendon Baptist Church, Alcolu, held a commissioning service on May 28 for three of its college students who are doing summer missions. From left: youth pastor Mike Lowder; Will Thomas, Tracy’s Camp Pinewood; April Evans, Nehemiah Team in the Philippines; Dave Richburg, Florida; pastor Kirk Carlisle and his son Joey.
Vacation Bible School was held June 4-8 at Hopewell Baptist Church, Chesterfield. Average attendance was 210. A 10-foot polar bear made by adults of the church attracted attention in the community prior to VBS. The children later named the bear “Journey,” because it reminded them of their journey as Christians while they learned about courage through the Arctic Edge theme. The bear is now helping raise money for the church’s Acteens trip to the National Acteens Convention in 2007. Families can buy “polar bear insurance” to assure they will not wake up one morning to find “Journey” in their front yards. So far, the Acteens have received more than $250 in “insurance” donations. There were plans for “Journey” to visit several other churches in Chesterfield Baptist Association holding Vacation Bible Schools.