The congregation of Waycross Baptist Church, Pelzer, had a groundbreaking service on April 4 for their new family life center. Pictured from left are members of the building committee: Tim Jones, Kent Gerisch, pastor Jamey Collins, Dickie McCuen and Bobby Miller.
Mark Williams (second from left) was called as youth director of Mt. Ebal Baptist Church, Batesburg, on March 7. Pictured with Williams are his wife, Lisa, and two children, Hagan and Madyson, and pastor Bill Paulling, far left.
The GAs, RAs, Acteens, Mission Friends, WMU, and Brotherhood of Friendship Baptist Church, Barnwell-Bamberg Association, recently participated in a joint prayer project for children in Africa. The groups provided 25 homemade dolls, eight soccer balls, and Bibles – and the Brotherhood donated money to ship the Bibles to the Songhai village children. Pictured are (first row, l to r) Mattie, Seth and Dalyn Ray; Kendal and Slade Handberry; (second row) Josie Croft, Alexis Ray, Bree Bryan, Lance Ray and Nicholas Russell; (third row) Dawn and Courtney Croft, Alyssa Still, Ashley Croft and Maggie Ashba; (fourth row) Ellie Ashba, Josie Ray and Savannah Handberry.
Flint Ridge Baptist Church, Heath Springs, held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 4 for its new family life center. Pictured are (front row, l to r) Landon Williams and Gabe Reeves; (back row) Kelvin Hinson, pastor, and Scotty Phillips, chairman of the family life center committee.
The WMU of First Baptist Church, Easley, recently sponsored a women’s prayer tea, where they joined in prayer for Muslim women around the world. The mission project for the evening was the collection of canned goods and household cleaning products for The Mary’s House Shelter, and baby items for Hope Women’s Center in Pickens. Pictured are (l to r) Lisa Boone, Patty Lawton, and guest speaker Paula Hemphill, women’s missional strategist with the International Mission Board.
The spring meeting of the Union County Baptist Association WMU was held at Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church on April 12, with more than 120 in attendance. Pictured are (l to r) WMU state representative Danny Hester, Padgett’s Creek WMU director Emma Lee Fincher, pastor Carrol Caldwell, associational WMU director Marilyn Bright, and missionary Barbara Hunter.
Members of the Green Sea Floyds High School chorus recently performed their musical program entitled “Creation” at several area churches, including Pleasant Meadow, Mount Olive and Green Sea Baptist churches in Waccamaw Association. Under the direction of Melody Edge, several of the 90-plus member group have volunteered their Sunday evenings to inspire local congregations through solos, duets and musical instruments, as well as a capella arrangements. Pictured are members of the group performing at Mount Olive Baptist.
Members of McCormick First Baptist Church – who made up the cast, crew and musicians – presented the “Living Lord’s Supper” to overflow crowds on March 28 and April 2.
Eleven churches and 10 individuals recently joined efforts to raise money for a new roof at Isaban Southern Baptist Church, a West Virginia congregation that has ministered to the surrounding coal-mining community for more than 60 years. On March 31, a gift of $10,589.57 was presented to Isaban pastor Mason Perry (second from left) by James Preveaux, pastor of Crestview Baptist Church, and Kimmett Lott, pastor of Providence Baptist Church, both in Orangeburg-Calhoun Association. Donations came from Orangeburg-Calhoun churches and individuals, as well as Fairview and Washington Street Baptist churches. Pictured with Perry are (l to r) Preveaux, deacon Donny Stacy, and Lott.
More than 50 WMU members from Grace Baptist Church, Sumter, made 200 witnessing dolls last month. On March 6, as part of the Season of Prayer for North American Missions, a Build-A-Doll luncheon was enjoyed by all ages from 5 to 97, and on March 7 the dolls were dedicated on the church’s altar steps. The dolls will be used as witnessing tools at home and abroad, including areas such as Jamaica; Brunswick, Ga.; and through WorldChangers in Walterboro.
Hunters Chapel Baptist Church, Barnwell-Bamberg Association, recently honored Mildred Priester on her 100th birthday. Over the years, she has served the church as clerk, Sunday school teacher and WMU member, and has also served on several committees. Priester continues to attend Sunday school and worship each Sunday. Approximately 150 people attended the special service and covered dish meal held in her honor on March 28. Pictured with Priester are pastor Billy Mew, and former pastors Donnie Delk and Dan Boineau.
Members of Harmony Baptist Church, Elgin, gathered recently to pack health kits with items donated by the congregation. A total of 50 kits were assembled as part of the state WMU’s spring missions project.
The children of Barker’s Creek Baptist Church in Honea Path are learning about missions at an early age. The children held a bike-a-thon to raise money for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Carissa Branyon was the lead fundraiser with 35 sponsors for the event. Grace Covan had 22 sponsors. Other children who participated were Kinsley Kay, Caroline and Sophie Covan, Christin Branyon, and Erik and Ethan Young. Pictured, from left: Caroline Covan, Grace Covan, Sophie Covan, Christin Branyon, Carissa Branyon and Kinsley Kay.