Representatives of the 90 churches that comprise the Spartanburg County Baptist Network celebrated its Silver Anniversary with a gala at Spartanburg’s Memorial Auditorium May 4.
The praise band and choir from Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church in Moore, one of Spartanburg County Baptist Network’s 90 churches, provided music for the celebration service at Spartanburg’s Memorial Auditorium.Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page, keynote speaker for the event, declared that the denomination was at “an irrecoverable moment” of missions opportunity, urging Spartanburg Baptists to join in the task of winning the world to Christ together.
“I believe God is calling our churches to see ourselves as we really are,” Page said. Many Christians have become adept at avoiding responsibility for their church’s decline in baptisms, he observed. “The truth is most of us are not sharing Christ,” he said, adding that “God is calling us to take a deep look at ourselves.”
South Carolina Baptist Convention executive director-treasurer Jim Austin and Spartanburg mayor Bill Barnett congratulated the Spartanburg network on its 25 years of ministry, and county councilman Jeff Horton read an anniversary proclamation. Tom Crabtree, news anchor for WSPA-TV, Channel 7, served as emcee for the event, which had as its theme “Celebrating the Journey Behind Us.”
In 1983, three associations – Spartanburg, Spartan and North Spartan – merged, becoming Spartanburg County Baptist Association, believing that together they would be able to offer better programs of service. The association was later renamed as a Network.
SBC president Frank Page delivers keynote address at the celebration.
SCBC executive director Jim Austin congratulates Spartanburg Baptists.During the anniversary gala, Julie Harris, church services director for the network, received a silver charm bracelet and roses recognizing her 25 years of service; Paul McKee, missions ministry director was presented a state award for fair ministry for the network’s outreach to Piedmont Interstate Fair employees, and Clarence Gilbert, who has served as a volunteer on more than 34 mission trips, received the network’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The gala, which featured a role call of churches, also spotlighted the network’s various ministries, including outreach to area Hispanics, Laotians, Cambodians, Ukrainians and other people groups, its annual state fair ministry, the Peniel Prayer Center in Cowpens, and its disaster relief work.
An offering of $11,220 was collected to assist in purchasing a disaster relief unit. For the network, which currently has the most trained disaster relief workers of any Baptist association in the state, according to network director Jim Goodroe.
Network director Jim Goodroe, left, is congratulated by Spartanburg mayor Bill Barnet, SBC president Frank Page, and SCBC executive director Jim Austin in the lobby of Spartanburg’s Memorial Auditorium.
Clarence Gilbert, who has been on 34 mission trips, was recognized with the Network’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the gala. With him is his wife.
Wayne Harmon, left, executive director of Piedmont Interstate Fair, presents the State Award for Fair Minstry to Paul McKee, the network’s mission ministries consultant.
Network director Jim Goodroe congratulates Julie Harris, church services director, who was recognized for 25 years of service to Spartanburg Baptists.