From all us at The Baptist Courier to all our faithful readers, Merry Christmas!

Our staff — Butch Blume, managing editor; Debbie Grooms, business manager; Denise Huffman, editorial assistant; Carolyn Rainey, circulation director — and I hope your holiday season is filled with His grace.

This is a hardworking group of people dedicated to honoring Jesus Christ in what we do and how we do it. I just celebrated my fourth year as editor, and it has been a blessing to serve with such a committed staff. Our desire as the official news journal of the South Carolina Baptist Convention is to tell the stories of those who are telling THE story.

We are thankful for all our devoted readers and supporters. It is our aim and hope that our great God will use this magazine as a tool to help you as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

May God richly bless you this holiday season as you remember His birth, meditate on His life, rejoice in His resurrection, and anticipate living eternally with Him — through death or rapture. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He is worthy of our worship and obedience.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)