Mike BeardenMIKE BEARDEN retired as pastor of Fountain Inn First Baptist Church on Dec. 30 after 26 years of service. Bearden and his wife, Iris, will continue to live in Fountain Inn, near family. Bearden plans to remain active in preaching and pastoral ministry by serving churches on an interim basis, through pulpit supply and by being available for revivals and Bible conferences.
Chad ThibodeauxCHAD THIBODEAUX has been called as senior pastor of Chapin Baptist Church. His first service was to be Feb. 24. Thibodeaux and his family come to Chapin from Covina, Calif.
Brent DowisBRENT DOWIS has been called as senior pastor of Fairforest Baptist Church, Spartanburg. Dowis is a native of Spartanburg but has spent more than 20 years serving churches in South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, and North Carolina. He is married to Cindy Correll. The couple has four children.