Pastor Lamar McAbee, his wife Paula and their son Logan were honored July 9 by Mountain Springs Baptist Church, Piedmont. Deacon chairman Steve Ellison, right, presented a Masterpiece Collectors sculpture on behalf of the church. McAbee, who has served the church since 2000, developed deacon-in-training and leadership development programs, and began a personal ministry to Home with a Heart, which the church supports on a monthly basis. Under his leadership, Mountain Springs has purchased 15 acres of land and is in a building program. McAbee resigned in June to accept a call as pastor at First Baptist Church, Duncan.
On May 28, Fort Lawn Baptist Church, Chester Baptist Association, honored the men and women of the church who have served in the military. Among those recognized by the church were (front row, l to r) pastor Ted Hodges, Becky Smith, Ronald Currence (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Gene Turner, Charles Black, Carson Adams and Jimmy Gladden; (back row) Weyland Burns, Horace Adams, Michael Whitaker, Julius Threatt (WWII, Normandy Invasion), John Williams and Frank Gaston. On behalf of the church, Currence – the youngest veteran – presented Threatt with a plaque honoring his service as the oldest veteran.
Seven members of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Roebuck, flew to Johannesburg, South Africa, June 26-July 7. They were invited by International Mission Board missionaries Bob and Susan Morristo to work with the children and teenagers of missionaries in the area. Bethlehem pastor Jim Oliver led Bible studies for the adults at South Africa’s Mt. Carmel Conference Center. Bethlehem Baptist Church is also involved with an unreached people group in the mountains of Peru. Each quarter, a team of volunteer leaders from the church is sent to help establish a new church. Pictured are (front row, l to r) Julie Thomas, Carrie Knox, Leigh Anne Burnett, Kayla Ellis, Sarah, Kristie, and Susan Morris; (back row) Jason Thomas, Joe Burnett, Jim Oliver, and Bob and Robert Morris.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Loris, held Vacation Bible School, “The Arctic Edge,” June 11-16. Enrollment was 99, with an average attendance of 74 and seven professions of faith. The girls won a “friendly competition” with the boys for the most offerings given. The total for the week was $803.
Berea and Rehoboth Baptist churches, Edgefield Baptist Association, recently held a combined “Arctic Edge” Vacation Bible School. Average attendance was 63. An offering of $260 was collected for the purchase of a water filtration system for seminary students in the Philippines.
Mission Friends at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Elgin, collected $124.83 for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Each child worked faithfully, collecting the offering in frosting containers. Pictured are Jessica Gordon, Jamie Whitfield, Carey Quarles, Sarah Scoggins, Justin Wall, Jacob Scoggins, Taylor Craven and Flynn Jackson. Not pictured: Taylor Buff, Grace Briltain and Kaylee Wymer.
Vacation Bible School was held at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care June 20-26. Fifteen children, ages 5 through 11, and 75 residents ranging in ages up to 98, participated. Supplies were donated by Mt. Ebal and St. Andrews Baptist churches.