Ann McCrea, left, was recognized on Feb. 21 by Piney Forest Baptist Church, Andrews, for 35 years of service as WMU director. Presenting a certificate of recognition and a love offering to McCrea is Sharon Walker, right, wife of pastor Benny Walker.
Margaret Severance, a resident of Bethea Baptist Retirement Community since 2007, recently won the “Volunteer of the Year Award.” Since 1998, she has been a chaplain volunteer, and has also worked at McLeod Hospital’s SICU, surgery waiting area, and the Tower Lobby information desk – logging a total of 999 hours in volunteer service this past year. “Margaret continues to dedicate her time volunteering and does it gladly,” said Ashley Rhodes, director of marketing and admissions at Bethea, adding that she is a “loving, faithful resident and a great asset to the community.”
A tea honoring Anne Norton and others who contributed information for the “The Open Door: The Early History of Barker’s Creek Baptist Church” was held Feb. 28 in the church social hall. Pictured are (l to r) Don Kay, Evelyn Locke, Anne Norton, Faye Staton, Kathy Graham and pastor Wesley Taylor.
The young children at Barker’s Creek Baptist Church, Honea Path, are learning at an early age the importance of caring for others. Leah Seawright’s 4-and-5-year-old class made Valentines on Feb. 7 for the church’s shut-ins. Shown holding one of the Valentines is Ethan Young, son of Suzanne and Kevin Cooley of Honea Path and Dendel Young of Belton.
The Girls in Action and Mission Friends at First Baptist Church, Newberry, organized a campaign called “Have a Heart for Haiti” from Jan. 27 to Feb. 17, and collected a total of $595. Mission Friends leaders are Missy Walters and Ann Buford; GA leaders are Cindy Cagle, Susan Smith and Gina Smith.
The youth at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Conway, held a spaghetti dinner Feb. 20 to raise money to attend Camp Longridge this summer. Pictured are some of the Pleasant Hill youth prior to the event.
Mechanicsville Baptist Church, in Welsh Neck Baptist Association, has baptized 12 new members this year. Pastor Frankie Tanner is excited about the overall “GPS” strategy to have baptism on Easter Sunday, and acknowledges that a key element is for people to “bring lost folks to church (so) they will hear the gospel and get saved.” Pictured with Tanner are the baptismal candidates.
The Children in Action and Mission Friends of Nebo Baptist Church, Britton’s Neck, pose with their new leader, Christy Everett (right). From left are (front row) Charlie Richardson, Grace Richardson, Lewis Everett and Andrea Everett; (back row) Brandon Richardson, Bailee Cribb and Ragan Richardson.
Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union, observed Men’s Day on Feb. 7. A men’s breakfast was served, followed by the morning service and a choir performance led by the men of the church. Joey Duncan, a member and deacon at Padgett’s Creek, was guest speaker.
Charlie Lucas, pictured with his wife Paula and children, Samuel and Anna, recently accepted a call as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bamberg. They were welcomed by the church during the Feb. 21 worship service.
Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union, will have a dedication ceremony for its new family life center May 2 following the morning worship service. A covered dish dinner will be served. Carrol Caldwell is pastor.
The youth of Hemingway First Baptist Church recently attended the X-Treme Winter Conference in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Randy Ward, right, of “Gospel on Wheels” ministry, recently sang at a Valentine’s banquet at Hemingway First Baptist Church.
The youth of Bamberg First Baptist Church presented “Who Dun Stole the Bride,” a lighthearted dinner theater mystery in which the bride Katie reminds the audience that “judgin’ each other by how we live, look or talk ain’t God’s way.”
For its first missions project, Second Baptist Church, Kingstree, wanted to reach out to recovery and homeless centers, as well as local street ministries to children and others in need. On Feb. 27, Carol Miles and Betty Eaddy spent the day in Myrtle Beach at Street Reach homeless ministry, where they soon found that the item most needed was toilet tissue. The congregation cheerfully joined in to accomplish this goal, and Miles and Eaddy soon delivered the goods. Pictured with the donated items are Carol Miles and pastor John Hudson.
Two staff members from Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community entertained Feb. 16 at the monthly Happy Hearts senior adult meeting at Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union.
The children of Cavins Baptist Church, Woodruff, raised more than $700 to help needy families in Haiti. Several of their fundraisers during the month of February included selling flowers, Valentine Scripture hearts, donuts and hot chocolate. Charles Foster is pastor at Cavins.
Elim Baptist Church, Effingham, held an ordination service for G. Landon Reynolds (second from left) on Feb. 14. Reynolds is currently attending Southern Baptist Seminary and serves as minister of music at Younger Creek Baptist Church, Elizabethtown, Ky. Eighteen people traveled from Kentucky for the service. Pictured are (l to r) Kenneth Moore, pastor, Elim Baptist Church; Reynolds and his father, Gregory; and Bill Phillips, pastor, Younger Creek Baptist Church.