The children of Union Church, Marion, recently collected money and supplies for schools in their community during Vacation Bible School. During a special service on Oct. 2, the church presented a check and school supplies to the principals at three area schools. Pictured from left are Union pastor Dean Parker; Debra Morris, principal, Latta Elementary; Martina Rush, principal, McCormick Elementary; Tim Felder, principal, Marion Intermediate School; and VBS director Jane Holder.
Cherokee Avenue Church, Gaffney, recently recognized two members for perfect Sunday school attendance: Lynch Yelton, for 58 years; and Frances Higgins, for 55 years.
The senior adults of Pleasant Hill Church, Hemingway, recently were honored as part of the church’s Senior Adult Celebration. “These inspirational Christian leaders have filled many key capacities within our church through the years,” said pastor Jim Legendre, “and we wish to acknowledge and thank them for their inspirational witness for Christ.” Pleasant Hill Church is a member of the Southeast Association.
The congregation of Fairview Church, Spartanburg, recognized pastor Ty Childers (center) and his wife Jan on Oct. 9 for Pastor Appreciation Day. The church presented them with a desk clock and a trip to New York City. In addition, a luncheon was held in their honor on Oct. 16. Presenting the gifts to Jan and Ty Childers is Zane Wall, vice chairman of deacons.
Chesnee Southside Church, in North Spartan Association, celebrated its 83rd homecoming on Aug. 28, and honored several church members during the service. Pictured at top are Billy Huskey, who was recognized for teaching the same Sunday school class for 53 years, and his wife Mary Jo, who was recognized for teaching for 51 years. The special service also recognized those who have been members at Southside for 50 years or more: Ruth Kinley, Billy Huskey, Laura Hipp (73 years), Mary Jo Huskey, Lillian Roberts, Mandy Watt, Betty Bishop, Rhonda Waddell, Kay Ramsey and Hilda Cantrell. Pictured with the group are church historian Gail Watt Humphries, far left, and pastor Dale Welch, far right.
Sept. 11 was a historic day for Nebo Church, Brittons Neck, when an outdoor baptism service grew spontaneously from nine baptisms to 21. After pastor Luford Pope baptized the original nine candidates and the benediction was pronounced, people began to come forward, asking to be baptized or re-baptized. Some made first-time professions of faith at the lakeside service and wanted to be baptized. “We felt as if we had a revival down by the lake, for God was certainly working in this service,” said church member Nyla Richardson. Among those baptized were six members of one family.
The WMU of Brock’s Mill Church, Cheraw, recently delivered household supplies to the Adams Campus of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, located in Chesterfield.
Southside Church, Sumter, honored pastor Tommy Adkinson and his wife Faye on Aug. 28 for 25 years of service to the church. Southside is a member of Santee Association.
Graham Bochman, right, was ordained to the ministry on Sept. 4 at Providence Church, Sumter. Pictured with Bochman is evangelist Jim Wilson, who presented a Bible from Billy Graham to Bochman during the service.
Connie Maxwell Children’s Home recently sponsored Senior Adult Day on the main campus in Greenwood. More than 200 senior adults from across the state attended the event, which included a time of worship, gospel music by The Webbs, campus tours, and a look back at Connie Maxwell’s history. They also visited the farm at Connie Maxwell, where they rode in a horse-drawn wagon, watched corn being ground for grits and saw a mule-driven cane mill making syrup. In addition, they learned about a new grandparent support program at Connie Maxwell, and ended their day at a special event with the children.
Emmy Gragg, a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Aiken, recently knitted 100 caps for premature babies through the Baby Blessings program, which provides hats, booties and blankets for hospitals in Aiken, Augusta, Savannah and Columbia. “I enjoy doing this because it’s a worthy cause,” said Gragg. She also crochets items for premature babies at the Chimala Christian Hospital in Tanzania, East Africa.
Following a recent meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Ministries for the Aging board of trustees, president Tom Turner (left) and Judge Jack Allison (center), a member of Cherokee Avenue Church in Gaffney and three-term board member for SCBMA, visited with Jim Austin, executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
Beaverdam Association churches sponsored the first ever Oconee County Crusade, held at Seneca High School football stadium Oct. 2-5. In addition, a children’s crusade for K5-5th grade was provided each night in the school’s gym. Average attendance was around 2,400 for each of the four nights. Evangelist Ken Freeman of San Antonio, Texas, was guest speaker, and special music was provided by Dean, Gayna and Geoffrey Forrest of Pike Road, Ala.
Earle’s Grove Church in Westminster celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 18. The guest speaker was Willie “Doc” Honea, and special music was provided by pianist Beth Garrett (center), pictured with her sons Tommy and Paul. The church also received a certificate of appreciation for its leadership, service and contribution to the community from Sen. Thomas Alexander.
Wren Church in Piedmont ordained Darrell Hutchison as deacon on Oct. 9. Pictured with Hutchison is his wife, Kathy.
On Sept. 25, during the morning worship service, Pyerian Church, Dillon, conducted its first fire drill. “We evacuated the entire building and checked each room in about three minutes,” said pastor James Orr. He said the drill was a good learning experience. “Everyone cared enough to take this unusual event seriously,” he said. “While we have not had to put this action to the real test, we all understand that the possibility exists. There were meetings and instruction beforehand with our security provider, the fire chief and captain, and with our own ushers and deacons. There was instruction given to the congregation, and no one was caught by surprise.”
The youth from Barker’s Creek Church, Honea Path, joined students from several Anderson County schools on Sept. 28 for “See You at the Pole,” sponsored by the Honea Path Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Prior to the event, they met at the church, where Barker’s Creek WMU members served breakfast and pastor Wesley Taylor led in prayer before they went to school.
The “Kingdom Kids” of Thomas Memorial Church, Bennettsville, recently embarked on a missions project to provide school supplies to needy students at Bennettsville Elementary School. The children earned the money to purchase bookbags, paper, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, spiral notebooks, and binders. In addition, they filled the bookbags with the supplies and delivered them to the principal and assistant principal. For their next project, the “Kingdom Kids” plan to earn money to provide bicycles for missionaries in India, which will be delivered by pastor Larry Zaky in November. The children’s ministry leaders at Thomas Memorial are Holly Swann and Nancy Zaky.