Since 2015 has started, I have been able to visit four associational events throughout South Carolina. During these visits, I have met gifted ministers and directors of missions as well as a host of talented and hard-working laity. Also, I have experienced Southern hospitality in its purest form. Through this experience, I must state that it is a unique and special privilege to serve as your South Carolina Baptist Convention president.

From these encounters, I have seen the gospel proclaimed verbally as well as through specific action. Some ministers I have met are highly educated and trained, while others have limited education and resources. Yet they all have been uniquely called to their ministry settings and are deeply loved and valued by their congregations. These Christian servants are actively engaged weekly in telling the gospel story in South Carolina Baptist churches and communities.

Too often these ministers are taken for granted by their parishioners. If projections continue, many Protestant churches will close their doors within the next 10 years. Without this gospel presentation rendered by many South Carolina Baptist churches and ministers, necessary spiritual direction will be lost. This loss will create a massive gap in society in the moral and ethical arena.

If the gospel presentation is to be relative to future generations, churches must actively and swiftly engage in church planting, mergers and revitalization as well as relational evangelism. When Christ gave the Great Commission, He called His church to “go and tell,” not “come and see.” Even though churches vary in methods, size and ministers, a lost world needs the gospel to be presented through different ways and by as many people as possible. It will be tragic if any of these churches cease to exist or their ministers cease to serve in telling the story of Jesus Christ.

— Tommy Kelly is pastor of Varnville First Baptist Church and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.