John Martin, center, was licensed to the ministry by Socastee Baptist Church, Myrtle Beach, on June 14. Pictured with Martin and his wife Kim is Micah Lane, left, pastor of Socastee Baptist Church who presented the certificate of license.
A team of 11 members from Northside Baptist Church, Orangeburg, went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic July 23-30. While there, they participated in the baptism of 12 people at the Yaque del Norte River and in the first wedding ever held in Pierda Gorda. The group also held Vacation Bible School and revival in Esparanza – resulting in 60 professions of faith. Pictured from left are Kirstie Axson, Robbie Axson, Carlin Connelly, Chad Crider, Phyllis Davis, Brittany Garrick, Mary Kelly, Sarah Kelly, Sonja Myers, Laurie Stutzman and Shane Stutzman.
Abner Creek Baptist Church, Greer, broke ground on Aug. 2 for a new sanctuary and education building, after fire destroyed the previous facilities on Jan. 2, 2008. Pictured from left are Eden Powell (youngest member) and her mother, Holli Powell; Cliff Hendrix and Myrtle Smith (oldest members); Henry Stanford, interim pastor; Steve Johnson, building committee chairman; Kevin Layton, deacon chairman; and Vernon Thornhill, associate pastor.
The children’s choir of Emerald Baptist Church, Greenwood, spent the week of Aug. 9-14 performing in Greenwood and Woodstock, Ga. The choir tour consisted of 10 concerts in three churches and six nursing homes, five of which were located in Greenwood. Since its beginning last summer, the group has grown from seven to 22. Minister of music and associate pastor Norman Keesee directs the children’s choir.
Tucapau Baptist Church, Startex, and Green Pond Baptist Church, Woodruff, joined forces again this year for their annual summer mission trip. A group of 56 volunteers departed July 18 for a week-long missions project in the Elk Horn, Ky.-area, setting up camp at Morrowbone Missionary Baptist Church. From there, the group created two construction crews. Meanwhile, the youth traveled to Mouthcard, Ky., each day to provide fun clubs at host church First Victory Baptist in Mouthcard, Ky. They also sang for residents of an area nursing home. In addition to providing youth-led fun clubs, the men worked on three government-financed construction projects for the needy and disabled. Pictured are youth and adults from Tucapau and Green Pond circled for prayer at First Victory Baptist before canvassing the area to invite children to a fun club.
Bethcar Baptist Church, Wagener, held Vacation Bible School July 26-31. The theme was the Boomerang Express, set in Australia. Participants learned about Peter and the ABCs of how to become a Christian.
An offering of $725 was given by the Vacation Bible School of Second Baptist Church, Laurens, to help offset the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering shortage. The total enrollment for this year’s VBS was 119. “We want all called missionaries to be able to go to the mission field,” said VBS director Jane Whitmore.
Wampee Baptist Church, Longs, buried a time capsule July 5 that contained copies of letters, deeds and photographs from the church’s 127-year history. Preparing the time capsule for burial are two young girls who recently made professions of faith, Kimbre Reynolds and Merisa Angelino – and two adults who represented the founding families of the church, Jo Ann Strickland and Frankie Vereen. Pastor Michael Vipperman delivered the dedication message.
Greg Gambrell was ordained to the ministry July 12 by Columbia Baptist Church, Princeton. A graduate of Anderson University, Gambrell is a student at Southeastern Baptist Seminary and is scheduled to graduate in 2010. Participating in the ordination service are (l to r) John Ed Hawkins, former pastor of Columbia Baptist Church; Greg Gambrell; and Mickey Gambrell, director of missions, Palmetto Baptist Association.
Seven members from Faith Fellowship Baptist Church, Pendleton, were part of a mission team that traveled to Costa Rica in July. The group partnered with volunteers from South Carolina and Ohio to plant churches in Costa Rica. More than 700 people made professions of faith, and more than 750 attended the evening cell meetings. Pictured are Faith Fellowship pastor Brett Aiken, Erica Aiken, John Michael Gibson, Holly Swaney, Nancy Martin, Jessie Griffis, and Larry Bright.
A group of four youth from Park Hills Baptist Church, Gaffney – accompanied by youth director Amy Painter and pastor Larry Sanders – attended M-Fuge at North Greenville University July 20-25. They joined about 300 other youth and leaders who spread out across Greenville County and other locations to clean and repair homes, work with children at day camps, and participate in other ministries. The theme of the camp was “Faith to Move.” Pictured are (front row, l to r) Caitlin Sanders, Melissa Painter and Mikayla Sanders; (back row) Larry Sanders, Brandon Peeler and Amy Painter.
The Acteens from St. George Baptist Church, Orangeburg, worked with “Collide” – a coed student missions experience for those who have completed 7th-12th grades – to help meet the needs of people in the Savannah, Ga.-area July 25-31. The students experienced hands-on mission activities, including working at the Second Harvest Food Bank and at local churches, as well as prayerwalking and ministering to the homeless. During the nightly worship service, they sang and performed interpretive dance for more than 160 people. From left are Acteens leader Margie Troutman, Rachel Troutman, Lauren Summers, Brett Crosby, Marina Hammond, Tricia Batson and Cassidy Laber.
The Thelma Moorhead Bible study group at West Gantt First Baptist Church, Greenville, made 60 dolls that were sent to Jamaica in July. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month. Pictured are some of the group’s members with the dolls.
Nineteen students and chaperones from Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, Columbia, participated in a four-day road trip called Destination J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, and You). Students began their trip at Logan Elementary School in Columbia, where they helped with cleanup in preparation for the new school year. Other projects on the trip included volunteering at Jubilee Academy, a private inner-city school, packing boxes of food for the elderly at Harvest Hope Food Bank, and doing yard work for Heartworks ministry. They also raised nearly $1,000 to purchase supplies for new-mother packets for Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center. In between workdays, the youth in grades 7-12 attended the Big Youth Thing at Carowinds and visited the Great Wolf Lodge. Pictured are Daniel and Charity Bowman, Hannah Arndt, Jonathan Peckham, Will Gasaway, Christy and David Wright, Rachel and James Leffew, Merrell Grice, Mary Leigh Hatcher, Berkeley and Bobby Bishop, Rachel and Michael Smith and chaperones Brenda Dawkins, Andrew Walker, Lori Hatcher, and youth minister David Hatcher.
The GAs, Acteens and RAs of Flint Hill Baptist Church, Fort Mill, were honored on May 20 for their missions work this year. One of the GA/Acteen projects was working with York County Christian Women’s Job Corps.
Macedonia Baptist Church, Loris, dedicated its new activity building on July 19. A total of 160 people were present for the special service. According to historical records, Macedonia Baptist Church was organized in 1770, three years before the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. It is the oldest Baptist church in Horry County and is a founding member of Carolina Baptist Association, which was established in 1911. Pictured are pastor Bill Thompson (right) and Jim Willey (second from left), director of missions for Carolina Association who led the closing prayer.
First Baptist Church, Greer, held Kids Fest on July 19 and 26 at Greer City Park and Amphitheater, with an estimated attendance of around 2,500. The two-Sunday outreach event offered free children’s activities, inflatables and entertainment for the Greer community. PureNRG headlined the event on July 19, with KidzBlitz on July 26. More than 100 volunteers from First Baptist organized the event.
Children and adults from Beaver Creek Baptist Church, Neeses, enjoyed their trip “down under” during their recent Vacation Bible School.
Trinity Way Baptist Church, Greenville, recently held Vacation Bible School, with SonRock Kids Camp as the theme. Pictured above are the children and leaders performing for church and family members. Dennis Holtzclaw is pastor at Trinity Way.
Buck Creek Baptist Church, Longs, sent 19 members – including pastor Larry Allen – to Freedom Center Ministries in Lynch, Ky., during their “Back to School” week July 11-18. The children were given new clothes, shoes and backpacks with school supplies for the upcoming school year. The team’s youth group held children’s activities each day, while other members provided snacks. In addition, a building team constructed a deck for the center’s directors.