A group from Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union, recently took a trip to North Carolina to snow-tube. Forty-six people participated in the fellowship trip.
First Baptist Church, Gowensville, exceeded its Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal by more than $10,000 for the second consecutive year. Ar right, WMU members Cathy Hyder and Debby Coghill show the lighted display, which marked progress of the 2008 goal of $15,000, and the actual amount given (which surpassed $27,000). In 2007, when the church goal was $14,000, members gave more than $25,000. Pastor Chad Rickenbaker attributed the increased giving to a greater awareness of the need to take the gospel to unchurched people groups, as well as an understanding of the increasing costs to keep missionaries in the field. The church has a prayer focus for the Lottie Moon offering and, this year, designated the second Sunday in December for the offering ingathering.
Micah Lane, right, pastor of Socastee Baptist Church, Myrtle Beach, since 2006, earned the doctor of ministry degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Dec. 12. Socastee Baptist honored Lane with a special presentation and dinner Jan. 25. With him is Allan Heinisch, chairman of deacons.
The choir of Berlin Baptist Church, Salley, displayed new robes during their Christmas cantata Dec. 21. Front row: Melissa Buff, Amy Fields, Sandra Kirkland and Sue Ann Taylor. Middle row: Kara Kirkland, Becky Brown, Sallie Yon, Frances Johnson and Jackie Rawls, pianist. Back row: Don Rawls, Roy Fulmer, Paul Taylor, Matt Anderson and Willie Gantt. Choir director Patti Jeffcoat is pictured in front of the choir.
The children of Crosswell Baptist Church, Sumter, discovered a fun and noisy way to support the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Children’s minister Cameron Wilson found a galvanized metal trash can and encouraged the children to bring their loose change and toss it in. “From the beginning, they looked at this as something that was needed and must be done,” Wilson said. “They didn’t worry about computing what 10 percent of their allowance was, they simply gave all they could. What great faith.” After tossing their coins into the trash can, the children had raised more than $91 to support international missions.
During the annual dinner of Friends of Pinehill, which was established in 1985, charter members were recognized for their support of Pinehill Baptist Retreat. Last summer, 575 youth and children attended, resulting in 112 salvations. From left: Jeff Price, Carl Maness, Charles O’Neal, Jimmy Dixon, Jack Allen, Archie Prevatte and Clarence Arnett. Not pictured: Bob Wilder.
Pastor Jimmy Brown of Beaver Creek Baptist Church, Neeses, conducted baptism for eight and had two additional people accept Christ Jan. 25.
Luke Walker, left, was licensed to the ministry by Piney Forest Baptist Church, Andrews, Feb. 1. Walker is the minister of music and youth at Screven Baptist Church, Georgetown. With him is his father, Ben Walker, pastor of Piney Forest.
Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Easley, held a groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 1 for its new church building. The new facility will be located on Highway 81 in Powdersville, next to the entrance of the Jameson Place subdivision. The building committee (pictured) turned over the first pieces of ground. Other members of the congregation, including Broadus Moody and Keith Mincey of Piedmont Baptist Association, also participated. The Jameson Place Club board of directors also attended the ceremony. The church is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Pictured above are building committee members Chris Burke, Mike Puckett, Reggie Christopher, Gene Merritt, Lloyd Shockley, Ruthie McCraw, Sue Hooper, Randy Wood and Tim Hix.