Russell VickeryRUSSELL VICKERY began duties as senior pastor of North Island Baptist Church, Hilton Head, last August. He was born in Columbia, and grew up in Atlanta and Jacksonville, Fla. Vickery, who has been in the ministry for 25 years, has held pastorates in Virginia and Florida. A graduate of Mars Hill College and Southeastern Baptist Seminary, he also holds a doctorate of ministry from Covington Theological Seminary. He and his wife Linda have two adult children and one granddaughter.
HOWARD WIMMER, pastor of Augusta Heights Baptist Church, Greenville, since 1995, will retire effective Nov. 30. He is a certified intentional interim and is available for both supply and interim work.
Paul PinsonPAUL PINSON began duties Oct. 15 as minister of education, youth and children at First Baptist Church, Iva. He formerly had served the church as associate pastor for 11 years before becoming associate pastor and minister of music at Good Hope Baptist Church, Wake Forest, N.C., where he served for three years. He is a graduate of Truman State University and Southeastern Baptist Seminary, where he is currently pursuing a doctorate of education. He and his wife Mia have two sons: Drew, 14, and Jacob, 11.
Ray MartinRAY MARTIN, minister of youth and children at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Cowpens, was ordained to the ministry Oct. 1 at Mount Olive under the leadership of pastor Robert Kirby. Martin is a graduate of Belford University. He and his wife, the former Emily Humphries, have three children: Jeremiah, Zoe, and Isaac.
Lance ThomasLANCE THOMAS is serving as pastor of Republican Baptist Church, Edgefield Baptist Association. For the past seven years, he was assistant pastor. Thomas and his wife Tonya have two sons and a daughter.
CLAY TURNER began duties July 1 as part-time youth director of Republican Baptist Church, Edgefield Baptist Association. He and his wife Shannon have two sons and one daughter.
GARRETT CASH was licensed to the ministry by Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He and his wife Jennifer are beginning their ministry at Park Hills Baptist, Gaffney.
RIDGE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION recognized during its Sept. 17 meeting four churches that were celebrating landmark anniversaries. The history committee presented each church a framed certificate. Accepting on behalf on their churches celebrating 175 years: Kathy Cumbee, Mt. Pleasant; Jason Martin, Pine Pleasant; and Julia Bledsoe, Rocky Creek. Betty Ann Cone accepted for Ridge Spring, 150 years.
LANGSTON BAPTIST CHURCH, CONWAY, held revival services Oct. 15-18 with evangelist Randal Helms from Woodstock, Ga., bringing the messages each night. Fifty people made professions of faith during the four-day revival.
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