Walter Wood, bi-vocational pastor of Edgewood Baptist Church, Greenville, has been named “Outstanding Smaller Church Pastor of the Year” by the South Carolina Baptist Convention pastoral ministries office.
Walter WoodWood, who works as a full-time institutional counselor for children, was nominated by Cleatus Blackmon, director of missions, Greer Baptist Association.
“Few people exercise a more positive and encouraging attitude than Walter. He has challenged and encouraged his church to think outside themselves and outside the box,” Blackmon wrote in his nomination form.
Wood has led Edgewood to become a central community service area, meeting several needs in the surrounding neighborhoods. An unused softball field owned by the church is now available to an upstate group who rehabilitates racing greyhound dogs. Every Saturday, the field becomes an exercise area, while church members build relationships with the dog owners. Edgewood has also held community worship services commemorating the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. In the summer months, the church parking lot is transformed into a family-friendly drive-in movie theater.
“Edgewood is willing to try something new to reach people, and increasingly is not afraid to conceive – new ideas,” said Blackmon.
Wood and his wife Cindy also care for their adult daughter who is unable to live alone and care for herself.
“Walter has been patient and positive and persistent in pointing them outside their walls for the sake of Jesus and the glory of God,” Blackmon continued.