JOHN WATKINS was recently called as minister of education and outreach at Seneca Baptist Church, Beaverdam Baptist Association. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary, he previously served at several churches in Florida. He and his wife Michelle have two children.
Kermit MorrisKERMIT MORRIS was called as full-time pastor of Fairforest Baptist Church, Spartanburg County Baptist Network, on Jan. 1. He previously worked with the North American Mission Board and the South Carolina Baptist Convention, where he served as church planting strategist for the Upstate of South Carolina. He is a certified church health consultant and has planted numerous churches during his 38 years of ministry. He and his wife Henrietta have two grown children.
Furman MartinFURMAN MARTIN was honored by Varennes Heights Baptist Church, Anderson, for 20 years service as minister of music.
JACOB HELSLEY was called as pastor of Pine View Baptist Church, Blythewood, on Dec. 27. A South Carolina native who grew up in Irmo First Baptist Church, Helsley earned a bachelor’s degree at Presbyterian College and a master of divinity degree from Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, Ala. His previous experience includes a summer internship with Lonnie Shull, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, West Columbia; and work with a church start in Boise, Idaho. Helsley also has had mission experiences in Haiti, Brazil, Taiwan and China. His grandfather, George A. Jones, was pastor of The Baptist Church of Beaufort from 1955 to 1969.
LACY LITTLE recently was called as minister to students by Abney Memorial Baptist Church, Greenwood. She began her duties there on Jan. 17.
Kelly Dickerson StrumKELLY DICKERSON STRUM began duties as part-time co-pastor of Eau Claire Baptist Church in Columbia Jan 1. Strum was ordained by Eau Claire in 2007 and received her master of divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2008. James Goudelock, pastor of Eau Claire for the past seven years, has transitioned to the other part-time co-pastor. Strum and Goudelock will equally share pastoral and preaching responsibilities.
David CrowtherDAVID CROWTHER was ordained to the ministry Nov. 22 by Keowee Baptist Church, Honea Path. His grandfather, retired minister Ralph Carter, delivered the ordination message. A graduate of Anderson University, Crowther is currently a student at Southeastern Baptist Seminary. While a student at Anderson, he served as associate pastor and youth director at Keowee Baptist. Crowther and his wife Laura reside in Elmburg, Ky., where he is pastor of Elmburg Baptist Church.
Note: Crowther was incorrectly identified as David Carter in the Dec. 24 issue.