Randy Harling to be next president of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home

Randy Harling, pastor of Simpsonville First Baptist Church, will be the next president of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home.

He informed his congregation Sunday, May 18.

Harling will succeed Ben Davis, who will retire Sept. 1 after serving at the Greenwood-based ministry to children for 21 years. Davis has been president since 2002.

Harling has served as lead pastor of Simpsonville First Baptist since 1997. He led his church to begin a ministry called “A Home for Me,” through which the church partnered with the South Carolina Department of Social Services to enhance foster care opportunities for church members.

Sherri and Randy Harling

Sherri and Randy Harling (Photo by Connie Maxwell Children’s Home)

Harling has consulted with other churches to help start foster and adoption ministries, and he has served on the board of “Children Come First” in Columbia. He has served in various capacities in working with DSS, and he and his wife, Sherri, have fostered four boys. They are also the parents of two adult sons.

“I believe our most urgent mission field in South Carolina is abused and neglected children and their parents,” Harling said. “James 1:27 is a mandate for the Body of Christ to get involved.”

Ronald L. Carroll, a vice president with Palmetto Health and chairman of Connie Maxwell’s board of trustees, said Harling’s election as president will ensure that “a legacy of capable and committed individuals who have given their lives to the provision of homes for children who have none … will live on.”

Current president Davis said he will work with Harling to ensure a “good, smooth transition.” He said Harling “has a sincere heart for children in need.”

Ben Davis and Randy Harling

Connie Maxwell Children’s Home president Ben Davis, left, congratulates Randy Harling, who will succeed Davis as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention-affiliated ministry in September. (Photo by Connie Maxwell Children’s Home)

Davis said he and his wife, Polly, will be praying for Harling and his wife as they assume their roles at Connie Maxwell, “and we trust they will experience the blessings and satisfaction we have had by serving here.”

Harling is a graduate of Furman University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

During his tenure at Simpsonville First Baptist, average weekly attendance has grown from 600 to 2,200. The church contributed $500,000 to the Cooperative Program in 2012.

Harling previously served as pastor of Cedar Shoals Baptist Church in Belton.

2 thoughts on “Randy Harling to be next president of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home

  1. I could not be more pleased to see such a great transition, from an outstanding leader from Dr. Ben Davis, to another tremendous caring and concerned man of God to lead our children at Connie Maxwell Children’s Home. Being a former trustee I could not be more pleased with this transition. My prayers and support will continue in the future!!!

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