Mike Moody“A Story to Tell” is more than a slogan for the South Carolina Baptist Convention that will be meeting in a few weeks in Florence. It is reality.? All across our state the churches of our convention have inspiring stories to tell of missions, ministry and evangelism.
Pastors McElhaney and Huddleston visit a market in India.Earlier this year two South Carolina churches united in a unique mission opportunity by allowing their pastors to represent them on a 12- day mission trip to India. This past march Tommy Huddleston, pastor of First Baptist Church, West Columbia, and Tom McElhaney, pastor of Four Holes Church, Orangeburg, friends for more than 20 years, went on a mission trip to a pioneer area in Central India.
These two South Carolina pastors were only the second mission team in this pioneer area of India. The missionaries, referred to as “workers,” also had to use guarded conversation for security reasons. The main objectives of the trip were to do “prayer walking,” talk with people of peace as opportunities arose, and encourage the missionaries. A highlight of the trip was that one “worker” was able to present the gospel to a Muslim woman, and she accepted Christ in one presentation, a first in seven and one half years of ministry. Both churches were very supportive of this mission endeavor, even though the pastors had only been at their churches less than one year. Each church supported their pastor’s desire to be on mission with God as he opened a door of opportunity to join him.
For many years to come, these churches and their pastors will certainly have a story to tell!
We look forward to seeing you and hearing your story in Florence.