Paul Cumbers

Savannah Duke

Gov. Nikki Haley

A church and two individuals were recognized at the SCBC annual meeting by the convention’s Christian Life & Public Affairs Committee for their impact and Christian witness in the public sphere.

Three Rivers Baptist Church, Irmo, received the annual Impact Your World Award for being “salt and light” in its relationship with local government. In part, the church hosted a town hall meeting with its legislative representatives, and leaders prayed with and for the General Assembly at the State Capitol in Columbia. Paul Cumbers, associate pastor, accepted the award on behalf of Three Rivers Church.

Savannah Duke, 15, a member of First Baptist Church North Spartanburg, received the E.A. McDowell Award for her “bold witness and activism in defending the sanctity of human life,” specifically before the South Carolina Senate’s Medical Affairs Subcommittee. Savannah’s parents were encouraged by doctors to abort her life because of a “fetal anomaly.” Her parents instead chose life, and today Savannah is an active member of her church.

Gov. Nikki Haley was awarded the 2015 Public Servant Award for calling people of faith to attend June’s The Response — a day of prayer, fasting, and repentance in Charleston; her role in helping peacekeeping efforts following the June shooting deaths of members at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston; her role in leading the state following October’s  flooding; for her ongoing efforts to keep casinos out of South Carolina; and her call for the investigation of abortion providers in the state. Accepting the award on her behalf was Austin Smith, the governor’s deputy chief of staff.