Ashley River Baptist Church, Charleston, recently hosted its annual Thanksgiving Unity Service – which brought together the congregation of Ashley River with their founding church, First Baptist of Charleston, and their mother church, Citadel Square Baptist. Following the combined worship service on Nov. 21, there was an opportunity to “Feed Our Community,” where all three churches were invited to bring canned goods to donate.
The youth of Kelleytown Baptist Church, Hartsville, recently had their annual “Tailgate Sunday” in the church’s parking lot. Guest speaker was Tim Nihart, former Minnesota Twins catcher and former coach at North Greenville University, currently serving as director of Camp Marietta.
Midway Baptist Church, Kershaw, recently presented a plaque to the family of the late Cena Broome in recognition of her 42 years of service as founder and church librarian (1968-2010). Pictured with pastor Todd Gandy (third from right) were (front row) Ansley Baker, Braylon Baker and Landon Baker; (back row) Crystal Baker, Randy Vincent, Rebecca Vincent and Neal Vincent.
Matlock Baptist Church, Jackson, honored longtime member Eunice Allen (center, seated) on her 101st birthday, Nov. 27. Pictured with Allen in the church’s fellowship hall are her granddaughter, Cathy Dockal (standing, at right), and her husband Jerry (left) with pastor Mark Riser (center). Allen has been a member of Matlock Baptist for 52 years.
Woodlawn Park Baptist Church, Mullins, licensed two members to the ministry and ordained one deacon during recent services. Top photo: James Fowler (left) was licensed on Sept. 26; center photo: Luis Alberto Amaro-Aranda was licensed on Oct. 24; bottom photo: Bryan Collins was ordained on Oct. 24. Glen Brown is pastor at Woodlawn Park.
Princeton Baptist Church, Honea Path, recently honored Donnie Woods, left, for more than 20 years of service in the Sunday school department. Presenting a plaque of recognition to Woods is pastor Gregg Loner.
The congregation of Barker’s Creek Baptist Church, Honea Path, gathered on Nov. 14 to implement their Operation Christmas Child mission project. Following the evening sermon, the children at Barker’s Creek brought the boxes to the front of the church, and as each church member took a box, the congregation prayed for each child who would be receiving that box. This year’s effort at Barker’s Creek exceeded last year’s donations, with a total of 130 boxes prepared. Pictured are pastor Wesley Taylor with the deacons
Ashley River Baptist Church, Charleston, is in its second year of providing English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes to its community. Classes meet on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. and are open to all nationalities, although the majority of students are Hispanic. About 25 students attend each week, and some bring their children. The first 15 minutes of each class are spent in a group devotional. There are 11 ESL teachers and three helpers. At the end of the first year, the students gave their teachers a going-away party. A church spokesperson said the “best part” of the ESL program is that teachers want their students to
George’s Creek Baptist Church, Olar, honored Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Gunnells on Nov. 21 for 54 years of service as church treasurers. Shown receiving their certificates of appreciation are Mr. and Mrs. Gunnells with pastor Ted Still, right.
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Easley, recently initiated a partnership with Connie Maxwell Children’s Home. Pastor Paul Turner and the missions ministry team began a three-year plan to “come alongside” and assist the Greenwood-based children’s home. The goal is twofold, said Turner: to provide relief to agencies facing financial cutbacks, and to “grow the congregation spiritually by being an active part of ministry in Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth. As his people, we should pray that God will reveal unique and fresh ways whereby we can continue to meet the needs of our South Carolina Baptist Convention institutions in these lean economic times.” Project coordinator Martie O’Shields has been helping Sunday school classes adopt cottages at Connie Maxwell, decorate for the holidays, and provide help with the Christmas store for children. Pictured, from left: Ben Davis (Connie Maxwell president), his wife Polly Davis, Paul Turner and Martie O’Shields.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Mark H. Bennett of Lexington (front row, third from right), presented the FAITH Sunday school class of Lexington Baptist Church with an American flag that flew over Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. The flag was presented in recognition of numerous care packages sent by the class to LCPL Bennett. Pictured with LCPL Bennett and his mother, Laura Heinz (far right) are class members (front row) Lou Alice Collins, Stacey Timmerman, Sylvia Cartin, DeeDee Whitehead and Joan Cave; (back row) Dan Williams and Jay Fennell.
Nine-year-old Chloe Lusk was baptized on Oct. 31 at Barker’s Creek Baptist Church, Honea Path, by her grandfather, Billy Lusk, a deacon at Barker’s Creek. Pictured with them at the baptism service is pastor Wesley Taylor, right.
The outreach committee of Ehrhardt Baptist Church, which has provided several meals to the community of Ehrhardt around the holidays, most recently served a traditional Thanksgiving meal at Ehrhardt Place Apartments on Thanksgiving Day. Kelley Shanks is the pastor at Ehrhardt Baptist.
Florence Baptist Church, Pelion, celebrated its 150th homecoming on Oct. 10. A total of 249 people attended the special event, which included Old Fashioned Day and a message from Elton Dunbar under a brush arbor prior to the worship service. The sermon was delivered by Lonnie Shull. Other guest ministers included Byron Edens, Harvey Johnson, Joe Reed and Lexington Baptist Association director of missions Johnny Rumbough. Following a covered dish dinner, special music was provided by Byron Edens.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Camden, recently honored Sandra Jackson, left, for 50 years of service as the church’s pianist. Presenting a plaque of appreciation to Jackson is her brother, pastor Jimmy Atkerson.
Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union, recently held its second annual Brotherhood Dinner at the church’s family life center. A total of 44 attended the event. Guest speaker was J.L. Peake, pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, which has held joint worship services with Padgett’s Creek twice a year for the last two years.
Members of the Children In Action and Mission Friends at Nebo Baptist Church, Britton’s Neck, recently packed 48 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. A total of 217 boxes were filled and wrapped by church members, surpassing last year’s total of 186. Each child received a certificate for participation in the mission project. Pictured with the boxes are (left to right) William Richardson, Rachel Richardson, Grace Richardson, Haley Moore, Conner Richardson, Walt Richardson, Londyn Parmeter, Carson Williams, Charlie Richardson, Kaleah Parmeter, Allison White, and Cheyenne Parmeter (holding her 2-year-old sister, Taylah Parmeter). CIA and Mission Friends leaders are Christy Everett and Kim Cribb (not pictured).