First Baptist Church, Westminster, held baptismal services on Oct 23. Among those baptized were three men over 60 years of age. Pictured with pastor Kenny Owen, left, is Robert Brock (top photo), 64; Boyd Childers, 74 (middle photo); and M.L. McGuffin, 81 (bottom photo). Also baptized were a young father, Joe Holbrooks, and his daughter.
Seven new members were recently baptized at Liberty Baptist Church, Chester. Pictured with pastor Joey Shetley are Kevin Grant, Reagan Grant, Tracey Grant, Courtney Pendleton, Victoria Lanman, Dillon Darby and Josh Darby.
The Happy Hearts senior adult group at Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union, welcomed Kevin and Brenda Peacock (left), IMB missionaries who serve in Canada, as guest speakers for their November meeting. Pictured with the Peacocks are Happy Hearts president Kate Wofford and pastor Carrol Caldwell.
The WMU of Piedmont Heights Baptist Church, Piedmont, presented 88 lap robes to the residents of Hosanna Health and Rehab Center in Piedmont. This was a year-long project, inspired by one of the church’s shut-ins. The entire church participated by donating money to purchase the yarn. Also, some women outside the church membership crocheted several robes.
The congregation of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Conway, recently surprised pastor Mack Hutson, left, and his wife Ann with a special Pastor Appreciation Day service, followed by a time of fellowship.
Rachel Balakrishnan traveled to Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 16-19, to compete in the 2011 National Bible Bee. Rachel excelled in Bible memorization and study enough to secure one of 300 top scores from across the country during the local Bible Bee contest held on Aug. 27 at Hopewell Baptist Church, Adams Run. Rachel is the daughter of Naveen and Trena Balakrishnan and a member of Hopewell Church, where Naveen is pastor.
Students attending Elevate, Charleston Southern University’s midweek worship gathering, used their last meeting of the semester to host an Operation Christmas Child packing party. Following a time of worship, students and local OCC volunteers started packing boxes – 391 in all. Operation Christmas Child, a worldwide Samaritan’s Purse project, plans to deliver 8 million shoeboxes to children in 100 countries this Christmas. “It is always a blessing to help those who need to be helped, and sharing the gospel with them as well takes it to a whole different level,” said Mike Woodard, a freshman from Goose Creek. “As Christians, we are called to go to the ends of the earth to show God’s love and make disciples in his name, and this event helped us all take another step toward that calling.”
Cross Roads Baptist Church, Seneca, recently honored Alton Williams, left, for 58 years as church treasurer. Williams has also served as a deacon and in various other capacities at the church. Pictured with Williams is pastor Douglas Goss, who presented him with a plaque and a gift of appreciation on behalf of the congregation.