Two more pastors recently announced that they will allow their names to be placed into nomination for South Carolina Baptist Convention offices when the annual meeting convenes in Florence, Nov. 13-14.
Brian Harris
Jim OliverJim Oliver, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Roebuck, since 1989, will be nominated for first vice president, and Brian Harris, pastor of Rock Springs Baptist Church, Blacksburg, since 1996, will be nominated for second vice president.
In a telephone conversation with The Baptist Courier, Don Purvis, a former president of the state convention and now a retired minister living in Hartsville, said he would nominate the Roebuck pastor in recognition of Oliver’s “many contributions to South Carolina Baptists through the years.” Purvis described Oliver as “very knowledgeable” on matters related to both the South Carolina Baptist and Southern Baptist conventions.
Oliver, a graduate of Furman University and Southern Baptist Seminary, has served as chairman of the SCBC’s Nominating Committee and Committee on Committees and its Christian Life and Public Affairs Committee. He also has been a trustee of The Baptist Courier.
On the Southern Baptist Convention level, Oliver has been a member of the Executive Board and its Committee on Nominations.
Harris, a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College, Gardner-Webb University and Southeastern Baptist Seminary, who currently serves as discipleship training director for Broad River Baptist Association, is a member of the SCBC Executive Board. He also is a former vice president of the association’s ministers conference, and has served as its Brotherhood director.
Tim Knotts, pastor of Cherokee Falls Baptist Church, also in Blacksburg, will nominate Harris.
Previously announced candidates for state convention offices include:
For president: Richard Porter, pastor of Branchville Baptist Church; and Eddie Leopard, pastor of Millbrook Baptist Church, Aiken.
For first vice president: Quinn Hooks, pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church, Effingham.
For second vice president: Hans Wunch, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Ware Shoals.