DON CULBERTSON was called as pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Belton, on June 13 and was to begin duties July 4. A graduate of Fruitland Bible Institute, he received his doctor of ministry degree from Covington Seminary. He was ordained at Riverside Baptist Church, Belton, in 1984. He previously served as pastor of First Creek Baptist, Iva; Bethany Baptist, Fountain Inn; Friendship Baptist, Honea Path; New Life Baptist, Union; Central Baptist, York; and for the past eight years was pastor of Mt. Bethel Baptist in Belton. His wife Deloris is a teacher at Belton-Honea Path High School.
TIM NUGENT will begin serving as pastor of East Gaffney Baptist Church on July 11. He previously was pastor of Green Sea Baptist Church. Nugent has been a music, youth, and senior pastor in churches in Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Ron Jackson, who retired in January 2008, was the previous pastor of East Gaffney.
MAXCY ROWELL JR. has been called as pastor of Durbin Creek Baptist Church in Fountain Inn. He was confirmed by the church on June 13 and began duties July 1. The pastoral search began in May 2009 with the retirement of Don Stephens, who served at Durbin Creek for nine years. Dennis Lynn was interim pastor during the search period.