Dear Don, I want to express my appreciation to you for the story and editorial concerning Laurel Baptist Church (Jan. 5). It was humbling to have you come over and do such an article.
I am reminded of the time when I became the pastor of a new mission work called Sierra Baptist Church, which met in a shopping center in Anderson. There were only 17 present for Sunday school and a weekly offering of about $500, and I traveled 48 miles each way to be their pastor. You wrote an article about this new ministry. That was a wonderful experience for those people, and for me as well. Today, Sierra is alive and well with a new campus in another area of Anderson under the leadership of Rex Simmons. God used you to help in such a great way.
Also, I will never forget how you helped me when I was elected to serve as president of the South Carolina Baptist Pastor’s Conference. Through your ministry, hundreds of Gideons throughout the state were invited, and nearly $10,000 came in through our offering, which went directly to the Gideon ministry. That conference was the greatest experience of my life.
Some time ago, Butch Blume did a wonderful article on the funeral of Coach Dan McCullough from the Starr-Iva area. Dan’s family was encouraged, Starr-Iva was blessed, and Jesus Christ was glorified!
I believe I speak for thousands of South Carolina Baptists and for our institutions and churches in saying that the Courier has been a blessing and a tool in the hand of God, helping us in so many ways. Yes, we are South Carolina Baptists, and we have many differences of opinion concerning methodology. However, we all agree that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Bible is the Word of God, and we are all commissioned to carry the gospel to the whole world. We are family, and Jesus Christ unites us all.
Thank you for your service. May God bless you, your family and ministry, and may God bless the staff of The Baptist Courier.
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3).
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