J. Mendle BakerJ. MENDLE BAKER began duties Sept. 1 as senior pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church, Leesville. A native of Sumter, he is a graduate of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, and has been in the ministry for 25 years. Most recently, he served as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Lancaster. Baker served 10 years with the International Mission Board, leading mission trips to South Brazil. He and his wife, the former Stacy Shirah, have two sons, John, 20, and Robbie, 16.
BART SMITH began duties July 8 as pastor of Woodvale Baptist Church, Rock Hill. He was formerly pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Jefferson. He and his wife Trudy have four daughters: Noel, Emily, Marie and Melanie.
David DriggersDAVID DRIGGERS has been called as full-time minister of music by Memorial Baptist Church, St. George. Previously, he had served the church part-time.
Michelle LottMICHELLE LOTT, a member of Memorial Baptist Church, St. George, went on a mission trip to Romania this summer.
TWO SOUTH CAROLINIANS were among the recent graduates at New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Michael How of Columbia received the master of arts in Christian education. His home church is South Main Street Baptist Church, Greenwood. Jonathan Edwards Phillips of Fort Mill received the bachelor of arts in Christian ministry. His home church is First Baptist Church, Spartanburg.
STEVE AARON, formerly minister of education and administrator for Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Taylors, began new responsibilities Sept. 9 as pastor of marriage and family discipleship at Valley Community Baptist Church, Avon, Conn. During the past 31 years, Aaron has also served on the ministerial staffs of First Baptist churches in Kingstree, Simpsonville, and Florence.
Casey ButnerCASEY BUTNER is the new youth pastor at Mountain Springs Baptist Church, Piedmont. He is a student at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute.