El Blackwell was recently honored for his 10-year anniversary by Ebenezer Welcome Baptist Church, Landrum. He has been the minister of music for the church since May 5, 1996. Blackwell is also a member of The Foothill Boys Quartet.
A team from First Baptist Church, Iva, were among a group of Campers on Mission who worked repairing homes in Pascagoula, Miss., which were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. From left: Roy Esthridge, Brian Henry, Ken Jordan, pastor Jerry Gray, Phillip Martin, Ed Higginbotham and Wayne Reece.
Bobby Baston, center, was ordained to the ministry April 23 at State Street Baptist Church, Cayce, where he is serving as minister of youth. Batson and his wife Britley have two daughters, Sydney and Emmie. With Batson are his former pastor, Ross Clemmons of Grove Baptist Church, Madison, Ala., and Ken Owens, interim pastor at State Street.
Thirty-six students and adults from Lexington Baptist Church spent spring break April 10-16 ministering in the Dominican Republic with IMB missionary Marsha Davidson, doing door-to-door evangelism, children’s ministry, and bathroom construction. The group worked in Santiago, and on Good Friday showed “The Passion of the Christ” film to more than 150 people in an area called Villa de Yacque. The group worshipped on Easter Sunday in Santo Domingo next to the home of the son of Christopher Columbus. The group was led by student minister John Swindler and his wife Jennie. This was the church’s fourth trip to the Dominican Republic.
On Sunday evening, April 23, the congregation of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Powdersville, held a dedication service on their newly purchased land, located on Anderson Rd. (Hwy. 81) in Powdersville. The service was opened in prayer by Mike Hollingsworth, and praise songs were led by Mike Puckett and Lloyd Shockley. Broadus Moody of Piedmont Baptist Association offered a prayer of praise for the occasion. Doug Limbaugh read from the book of Haggai, and pastor Johnny Touchet presented a short message from the passage. Reggie Christopher closed with a dedication prayer.
On Easter Sunday, Emerald Baptist Church, Greenwood, conducted the first baptisms on the new church property, using a portable baptistry purchased one month ago. Pastor Curtis Eidson stated, “The Lord blessed us with great weather for our outdoor service, although the water was still pretty cool.” Eight people were baptized following the morning service. The church is currently planning construction for educational space, a fellowship hall and a stage area that will also contain a new baptistry. In the past 18 months, the church has grown from an average of 80 in Sunday school to just above 140.
Laverne Ard and John Campbell retired April 30 as active deacons at First Baptist Church, Pamplico. Ard and Campbell, who have served since 1963, were named deacons emeritus and presented certificates by past deacon chairman Fred Woodard. From left: Jim Hewitt, pastor; Woodard; Ard; Campbell, and Harvey Putnam, current deacon chairman.
Robert Bedell III, center, president of Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company, and Rob Bates, executive vice president of Southern Mutual, present a check for $10,000 to Richard McLawhorn, president of South Carolina Baptist Ministries for the Aging. The check was given for the Mother’s Day Offering in memory of Archie Brickle, who served on the Southern Mutual board for 19 years and was a former administrator at Bethea Baptist Retirement Community.