Charlie BowenCHARLIE BOWEN has completed 39 years of dual service to Elko Baptist Church in Barnwell-Bamberg Association. He retired recently after serving 16 years as minister of music. He previously had served the church as pastor for 23 years. Bowen became pastor of Elko in 1971. For many years he also led the church’s music program and was Vacation Bible School director. He retired as pastor in 1994 but remained on staff as minister of music. He has the longest tenure of any pastor at Elko Church, which was established in 1875.
Virginia HammondThe church has called VIRGINIA HAMMOND as its new minister of music. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Charleston Southern University in 1981 and a master of religion education degree from Midwestern Seminary in 1984. She previously served at Memorial Baptist Church in Aiken as minister of music and youth since 1983. She teaches kindergarten for the Aiken County School District.