The Dorcas Fellowship Club of George’s Creek Baptist Church, Olar, held a Valentine banquet Feb. 11. One of the highlights of the day was the crowning of Freddie and Bobbie Gunnells as Valentine King and Queen. The couple continues to serve faithfully at George’s Creek as they have for many years.
The children of Warrior Creek Baptist Church, Gray Court, used ordinary baking ingredients as part of an object lesson to help them learn about the burial and resurrection of Jesus. The children also stuffed plastic eggs with colored jelly beans along with copies of a poem explaining the spiritual meaning represented by the different colors, which they distributed to the congregation. The children’s activities were led by Katie Freeman and Debbie Burkhalter.
The Women on Mission of Woodfield Park Baptist Church, Columbia, made nearly 250 “blessing bags” (nonperishable bag lunches) and distributed them to the homeless through a local shelter. The ladies have been performing the ministry every other month for several years. Bobby Cable is pastor of Woodfield Park.
Lake Cooley Baptist Church, Wellford, ordained its newly called pastor, Mark Cannon (center), on April 19. He began duties as pastor on May 11, having previously served as youth minister. Cannon and his wife Tonya have two children, Chase and Shelby. His brother, Scott Cannon (right), pastor of First Baptist Church, Travelers Rest, preached the ordination sermon. Interim pastor Kenneth Lawson (left), a retired IMB missionary to Italy who is also the uncle of Mark and Scott, gave the charge to the church.
The WOW (Widows of Worship) of First Baptist Church, Bishopville, meet once a month to do various mission projects. The women recently made 30-35 lap blankets for the ladies at Cottonwood Retirement Home in Bishopville. The group rotates their mission work by doing projects for widows, shut-ins, children and youth. From left are Mary Davis, Maxine Teal, Vera Horton, Lisa Whiteaker, Ann Huggins, Betty Watson and Mildred Elmore.
The WMU group of Plum Branch Baptist Church was recognized as a new organization during the spring meeting of Edgefield Baptist Association, which was held at First Bethany Baptist Church in McCormick. Members present at the meeting were (l to r) Becky Strickland, Patricia Storey, Margaret Dorn, Beth Ritter, Jean Wells, Shirley Hyde and Pat Golden. Also pictured are Carol Bryan, associational WMU director, and John Noblin, pastor of Plum Branch. WMU members not present were: Janice King, Beth Storey,Vivian Crawford, Brenda Holmes, Hazel Freeland, Katrina Newby, Joyce Prevatt, Dot Winn and Evelyn Wells.
Children’s Missions Ministry Day was held recently at Blaney Baptist Church, Elgin. The event was sponsored by Woman’s Missionary Union of Columbia Metro Baptist Association. A total of 75 children attended. Cindy Skelton, Camp La Vida director, led in camp songs and games. Chaplain Ted Keller spoke on missions for truckers, and Cathy Locklear talked about ways to help association food pantries. After lunch, many of the children went to do mission action activities. Some helped stock shelves and prepare food bags at the food pantry, some went to the truckers chapel to talk with truck drivers, and some went to a local nursing home to minister there. Others went to their communities and visited with other children to invite them to church.
Jack Gregory, left, was named deacon emeritus at Coronaca Baptist Church, Greenwood, on April 13. He served the church as a deacon for more than 30 years. Pictured are Gregory, his wife Betty, pastor Todd Polatty, and chairman of deacons Pete Snelling.
Paul Wilson, pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Greenville, and Harold Watson, chairman of deacons, recently burned a loan note to free Providence from all debt. The church set a goal in November 2008 to have the debt paid off by April 2009. The debt was paid off two months early.
Richard Kelly, left, was ordained April 19 as a minister by First Baptist Church, Winnsboro. Officiating were pastor Mark Chapman, right, and former pastor James Wooten. Kelly and his family have served as missionaries to the Mandinka people in Senegal, West Africa, since 1997. They are on furlough and will be returning to Sedhiou, Senegal, in July. Kelly and his wife, the former Fran Taylor, have three sons: Alex, Daniel and Patrick.
The women and girls of Bethel Baptist Church, Prosperity, wore hats on Easter to show their support for member Ellen Howard, who is undergoing chemotherapy.
The Mission Friends at White Rock Baptist Church, Lexington Baptist Association, participated in the WMU International Initiatives by raising funds to send to The Ricks Institute in Liberia to purchase pigs, goats and chickens for the local children to raise. The Mission Friends raised $300, exceeding their goal by $50. From left: Necia Free (teacher) Hannah Medlin, Maggie Lowery James Barnett and Bonnie Loudermilk (teacher).
The combined children’s choirs of Clearview, Palmetto and Rainbow Baptist churches of North Spartan Baptist Association presented “The Easter Miracle – Through the Eyes of the Children” April 5. Pictured are Kyle Bishop, Chris Adams, Nicholas Owens, Jayden Bridges, Emily Owens, Ashley Hannon, Shelby Rice, Ethan Rice, Hunter Hannon, Stevie Parris and Kevin Owens. Directors were Beth Wall of Rainbow Baptist and Jonathan Weaver of Palmetto Baptist.
Brandon Corley, left, was ordained to the ministry March 29 by South Greenville Baptist Church, Pelzer, where he has accepted the call as associate pastor. Presenting the certificate of ordination is pastor Louis Hart. Corley was also given a Bible on behalf of the church.
Locust Hill Baptist Church members and friends participated in the Walk for a Cure of ALS at Heritage Park in Simpsonville April 19. The group of 50 walkers raised more than $4,000 in honor of one of their members, Chad Poole.