Sam and Annie Thompson “have hearts as large as the community they serve and have tried to honor the Lord with everything they have done,” said Mike O’Dell, director of missions for York Association.

O’Dell described the Thompsons as self-sacrificing, adding, “No other church in South Carolina does more ministry on so few resources.”

New Beginnings Baptist Church was the second African-American church to join York Association, and “from the beginning, pastor Thompson has been a visionary leader and a bridge-builder between people, churches and the community,” O’Dell said.

“The congregation is filled with people with the same heart as their pastor,” he said. “All of us can learn from their example.”