Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community resident Rebecca Futrell, left, presents Dina Hair, executive director, with a cross-stitching of the Villa at Martha Franks. Futrell spent a year and a half cross-stitching the masterpiece, which she donated to the retirement community last week and displayed at the community’s Golden Nuggets talent show.
Having read Nicholas Spark’s book, “Message in a Bottle,” just before Vacation Bible School, David Cromer, pastor of Willow Creek Baptist Church, Pamplico, decided that “the greatest message ever told was that of Jesus Christ.” He suggested to the older children that they put that message in bottles and deposit them in the Great Pee Dee River, which is near the church. Recently the church received a letter from a couple who were living on a sailboat on the Intracoastal Waterway 60 miles away. Not only did they respond, but they also included a check to be used in further mission endeavors. Cromer is pictured presenting the check to Frank Hodge, chairman of deacons, and Lloyd Garrison, church treasurer.
A group from Ebenezer Baptist Church, Florence; Elim Baptist Church, Effingham; and Pizgah United Methodist Church recently went to Bay St. Louis, Miss., to help Shoreline Park Baptist Church in some of the rebuilding of their community. Also pictured are pastor Ed Murphy and his wife.
Nebo Baptist Church, Britton’s Neck, strives to increase the number of shoeboxes it prepares for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child each year. This year, the WMU collected 160 shoeboxes. Pictured above is Bonnie Richardson, leader of the church’s Samaritan’s Purse effort.
Bellview Baptist Church, Woodruff, burned its loan note Nov. 30. The church designated November as “Sacrifice Month,” in an effort to retire the note early, and paid off the 15-year note in only seven years. Participants included (from left) Ray Murphy, chairman of deacons; pastor Ray Mims; and J.A. Trammel, trustee of Woodruff Federal Savings.
The youth of Hulon Baptist Church, Batesburg, led by youth pastor Gary Evans, raised money and purchased 50 turkeys for the Christian Ministry Center’s food boxes for the needy.
The youth, children and adults of Harmony Baptist Church, Elgin, gathered to finish Christmas prisoner packages. The church, which has an average Sunday school attendance of 65, assembled 50 packages.
Frankie Tanner, pastor of Mechanicsville Baptist Church, Darlington, conducted baptismal services for six new Christians Nov. 30, making a total of 78 baptisms for 2008.
South Main Street Baptist Church, Greenwood, has surpassed $3 million in gifts through the Cooperative Program. Gary Anderson, left, director of the Cooperative Program and stewardship office, SCBC, presented a globe honoring the church’s achievement to South Main’s WMU director Paula Wilson during worship service Dec. 7.
Connie Maxwell Children’s Home celebrated “A Connie Maxwell Christmas” Dec. 4-6 on the Greenwood campus. This was the ninth year of offering the family-oriented event of special events and decorations. “This special Christmas celebration is our way of saying thanks to all those supporters who keep us in prayer, donate time, and provide financial assistance that we need to care for children who have been through very difficult situations in their lives,” said president Ben Davis. “It also gives families an opportunity to begin celebrating Christmas as a family and at no cost, which we hope is helpful during this challenging economic time.” The celebration lights will remain on until Dec. 31.
Helen Barnette was honored by First Baptist Church, Arcadia, for 25 years of perfect Sunday school attendance. Presenting the award is pastor Joey Burnett.
Shawn Shipman, left, and Mark Amick, right, were recently ordained as deacons by First Baptist Church, Arcadia. With them is pastor Joey Burnett.
Anderson University presented its annual Christmas First Night program Dec. 5, featuring the sights and sounds of Christmas with sacred music presented by AU musical ensembles. Following the concert, a giant yule log was lit in the front of the fine arts center.