Lee Dawson Hoover was named deacon emeritus recently at Ridgeville Baptist Church. The award was presented by pastor Clyde McCants on July 11 in a ceremony honoring Hoover for more than 45 years of service as deacon. Hoover and his wife Verna have served the church in various positions over many years. Their son, Robert Hoover, played some special music at the service in honor of his father.
Lakeside Baptist Church in Union held the first Vacation Bible School in its new facility the week of Aug. 2. As part of the theme “Saddle Ridge Ranch,” 103 children learned about “asking God for answers to life’s problems.” Lakeside was organized in 2006.
Woodlawn Park Baptist Church, Mullins, sponsored a home mission trip June 21-25. Each day began with morning devotions at 9 a.m. and ended with evening devotions at 7:30 p.m. Missions activities included nursing home ministry, backyard Bible club, and construction work. In addition, the youth volunteered with a local Habitat for Humanity project, and the church’s kitchen team prepared lunch and dinner for the mission team.
Woodlawn Park Baptist Church, Mullins, hosted its first Biker Sunday on July 18. Bikers came from Santee, Myrtle Beach and Florence. Guest speaker for the event was Tony Booker, with special music provided by the Webb Quartet and Mike Cullipher. A covered dish luncheon followed the morning service.
The youth and children at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Fountain Inn recently collected a total of 41 cell phones to donate to “Cell Phones for Soldiers,” an organization that recycles used phones for soldiers overseas to help them stay in contact with their families.
The youth mission team of Flat Rock Baptist Church, Saluda Association, presented a music camp at Woodside Apartments in Iva. The group taught children how to use handbells, “God rods,” puppets, and interpretative movement. In addition, they provided devotion time, prayer time and snack time. Pictured are youth mission team members Blake Blanding, Sydney Bryant, Reagen Welch and Kimberly Hunsinger. Ed Hunsinger is pastor of Flat Rock.
The youth of Maye River Baptist Church, Bluffton, traveled to Atlanta this summer to assist several families in cleanup and home repairs caused by recent flooding. Youth leader Cindi Faulkner and husband Larry, along with pastor Brian Sherwood and his wife Dorothy, accompanied the group, who visited the World of Coke and attended a Braves game while in the area.
First Baptist Church, Hilda, recently commissioned a team of 14 members, who were sent to HarborLight Southern Baptist Church in Oceana, W.Va. While there, the group worked closely with Mission Service Corps missionaries Jim and Grace Davis and the youth and children of HarborLight. Activities included a bowling trip, children’s parties, canvassing the neighborhood, a community-wide block party, and special worship services. Three children made professions of faith during the week. This was the second year that Hilda First Baptist has partnered with HarborLight. Pictured are mission team members Gerry, Maria and Linda Williams; Joe, Denise, Emily and Daniel Sharpe; Donna and Alyssa Hutto; Angela and Carolina Sharpe; Audrey Thompson; and Ricky and April Hutto.
Russell Gunter (left), minister of music at Calvary Baptist Church, Graniteville, was recently honored by the congregation for 25 years of service. Pictured with Gunter and his wife Leslie is pastor James L. Young, who presented a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the church.
Covenant Baptist Church, Lancaster, recently held a baptism service on the Wateree River, an outdoor tradition it has celebrated twice a year since the church was founded in 1994. Pictured are pastor Bert Welch and the 17 baptismal candidates.
Barker’s Creek Baptist Church, Honea Path, held a joint service of baptism and farewell on Aug. 22. Jared and Jennifer Major, right, were baptized by their grandfather Jack Evans of Honea Path. Justin Sutherland, left, is entering the Air Force and was presented with a devotional book by pastor Wesley Taylor, second from left.
Barker’s Creek Baptist Church, Honea Path, was recognized for its missions work during the Aug. 22 morning service. Presenting a medallion in honor of the church’s achievement is Wayne Terry (left), of the South Carolina Baptist Convention multiplication team, with pastor Wesley Taylor.
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Roebuck, licensed five young men to the ministry on Aug. 15. From left are Ben Wofford, Chase Crocker, Kyle Quinn, Kyle Belsick and Bryan Rice.
Sardis Baptist Church, Swansea, ordained John Geiger (kneeling) as deacon on July 18. Participating in the ceremony are pastor Mark Hardenbrook and deacons Eddie Spires, Shannon Jones, Grady McIver and Asher Lloyd, as Geiger’s wife Candice and daughter Ainsley look on.
Ebenezer Welcome Baptist Church, Landrum, honored pianist Reginald Turner for 35 years of service. He was presented with a gift, video and surprise luncheon on Aug. 22.
Ten members of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church in Columbia recently left parts of their hearts in Mexico. The “C2C” mission team, which stands for “Columbia to Cabo,” was led by minister of students David Hatcher. They spent July 30-Aug. 7 in Cabo San Lucas and La Paz working with a local church and missionaries. The purpose of the trip was two-fold: to encourage the believers at the Comunidad La Biblica de Cabo San Lucas by presenting a youth event, a Mother/Daughter evening, and Sunday morning services; and to encourage the 28 missionaries working in the area at an annual missions conference. Six students and four adults presented a youth and children’s program for the missionaries’ children and prepared meals for everyone during the conference.
West Pelzer Baptist Church, Palmetto Association, recently honored Sue Trotter for 30 years of perfect Sunday school attendance. She thanked her Sunday school teacher, Betty Kellett, who has taught Sunday school for more than 35 years.
Bethcar Baptist Church, Wagener, recently observed Youth Sunday, where the youth shared their experiences on mission trips to New Mexico and West Virginia.
Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union, recently ordained Dusty Harmon as deacon. Pictured from left are pastor Carrol Caldwell, Harmon, and deacon chairman Tommy Inman.
A group from Northside Baptist Church, Orangeburg, recently traveled to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. Pictured are the 17 team members who ministered there July 23-31: Shane Stutzman, Laurie Stutzman, Nathan Stutzman, Karen Connelly, Wes Connelly, Reeves Connelly, Carlin Connelly, Sonja Myers, Jerry Whitesides, Wayne Goodwin, Wesley Wells, Robbie Axson, Kirstie Axson, Beth Inabinet, Tripp Garrick, Phyllis Davis and Chad Crider.
The “Golden Hearts” senior adult group of Apalache Baptist Church, Greer, held Vacation Bible School Aug. 2-6. Led by senior adult director Frank Lewis, their theme was “Route 254 Road Trip,” and total enrollment for the week was 93. Eddie Cooper is pastor at Apalache.