Members of Fellowship Baptist Church, Lexington, participated in several community ministries June 18-23 through “Love Out Loud.” Projects included a community block party, Kids Camp, home repairs and yard work, visits to local nursing home residents, park and homeless ministries, care baskets to the ICU unit at Lexington Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House. J. Don Bell is pastor at Fellowship.
Trinity Way Baptist Church, Greenville, held Vacation Bible School June 18-22, with a total enrollment of 113 children and 60 workers. On Thursday night, 17 professions of faith were reported. “Trinity Way Baptist Church is a small church, and we were blessed to have more in Vacation Bible School than we have membership,” said Joan Holtzclaw, wife of pastor Dennis Holtzclaw. “God blessed us with an awesome week.”
The WMU of Fairview Baptist Church, Kinards, recently made 41 “salvation dolls” for a homeless shelter in Atlanta. Hayden Snelgrove, a third-grader from Fairview, drew the faces on the dolls.
Benji Hutson, a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Conway, will travel to Costa Rica this summer with a team from Go Tell Ministries, where they will distribute Spanish gospel tracts and Bibles, as well as purchase medicine, food and clothing for the people there.
Eastlan Baptist Church, Greenville, honored pastor Benjamin Littlejohn and his wife on June 24 for 10 years of service to the church.
Starr Baptist Church had nine children, grades 1-5, to participate in the church’s Bible drill this spring. Pictured, from left, are Audree Vaughn, Rebecca Bannister, Clayton McGee, Cason McGee, Brensyn Marcengill, Cassidy Clark, Jaiden Shea, Nevaeh Pettigrew and Carson Shea. Leah Howell and Beverly McGee were Bible drill leaders. Rebecca Bannister represented Starr Baptist at the Saluda Association drill, held at First Baptist Church, Anderson.
A team of 73 teenagers and parents from First Baptist Church, Greer, traveled to Lebanon, Ohio, June 16-23 for Mission Tour ’12, where 16 children were led to Christ. In addition, four students from Greer First Baptist made rededications and six were baptized in response to their renewed commitment to Christ. Teams went out in the community to work on projects such as spreading mulch on a local walking track, building birdhouses for a local park, and raising $158 for a local church plant by holding a carwash.
McCormick First Baptist Church held Vacation Bible School in June, with more than 70 children in attendance. “What a joy it was to participate in this outreach activity and experience firsthand such youthful exuberance as the children learned about our awesome God and his amazing power,” said James Bleakley, VBS director.
Fourteen youth from Fairview Baptist Church, Kinards, attended SummerSalt Camp at White Oak Conference Center the week of July 4.
Long Branch Baptist Church, Anderson, held “Bug Zone” day camp June 11-15. Barbara Rogers served as director.
The fourth-sixth grade GAs, Acteens and leaders from Flint Hill Baptist Church, Fort Mill, recently participated in York County’s Christian Women’s Job Corps walkathon/plant sale fundraiser and raised a total of $1,028.25.
Harbour Lake Baptist Church, Goose Creek, held Vacation Bible School the last week of June, with an average nightly attendance of 130 children and more than 50 adults working each night. “Here’s the big news,” said pastor Jimmy Fuller. “We had 25 decisions for Christ during the week, and are in the process of getting them all baptized.”
Jamie Ballentine (third from right) was ordained to the ministry on June 3 by Harbor Light Baptist Church, James Island, where he has served since June 2010 and is currently associate pastor and youth pastor. A native of Blythewood, he is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and is pursuing a master of divinity degree in Christian ministry at Southeastern Seminary. Pictured with Ballentine are his father, Neil; sister, Marie; mother, Kim; wife, Brittany; church leader Joe Beasley; and pastor Keith Burgess, who preached the ordination sermon.
Pacolet First Baptist Church recently held a community-wide Independence Day service. Special music was provided by a community choir, which was directed by Cathy Sparks. Pictured carrying the flag is U.S. Air Force Major Rod Camp.
Rock Springs Baptist Church, Easley, held a “Celebrate America” worship service on July 1.