The congregation of Ebenezer Welcome Baptist Church, Landrum, honored their pastor’s wife, Kim Gainey, on Aug. 8 for her service to the church and the community. She was presented with a gift and a luncheon in her honor.
Evergreen Baptist Church, Effingham, held Vacation Bible School June 13-17, using Saddle Ridge Ranch as this year’s theme. Total enrollment for the week was 75, and two professions of faith were made at the Thursday night commencement service. In addition, VBS participants raised $512 for the Durant Center, a local mission that helps abused children. Tina Suggs and Shele Bochette served as VBS directors at Evergreen. Pictured is the congregation at the VBS commencement.
Volunteers from Ebenezer Welcome Baptist Church, Landrum, recently completed their third mission trip to Lynch, Ky., to work with Meridzo Ministries. The team worked on a variety of projects, including construction on cabins and grounds work at Shekinah Village. They also helped host a community block party for families in that area, offering free haircuts, hot dogs, fun, games, and the gospel.
The youth at Evergreen Baptist Church, Effingham, held a 30-hour “famine” May 28-29 to raise awareness, and money, for world hunger. Events included a lock-in at the church, where the group of 17 participated in games and learning sessions while fasting for 30 hours. On May 30, the youth led the Sunday evening service, sharing their testimonies about the event and facts about famine – and raised more than $1,200 for world hunger. Pictured are the youth following the event.
Fort Johnson Baptist Church, Charleston, held its annual Baptism at the Beach on Aug. 29. A total of 13 people were baptized. Pictured are pastor Schuyler Peterson and baptismal candidate Ashley Hancock. Fort Johnson will celebrates its 50th anniversary on Oct. 3.
The youth and their leaders from First Baptist Church, Fairfax, went to Hendersonville, N.C., July 8-16 to assist Balfour Baptist Church with its Vacation Bible School. While there they also participated in several service projects for Balfour members and the surrounding community. The youth praise band, Blind No More, performed a concert and provided the music for the week. Pictured are (kneeling, l to r) Ken Ready, Joseph Galbraith and Michele Galbraith; (standing) Jacob Oswald, Gina Oswald, Elizabeth Young, Jonathan Wiley, Jacy Oswald, McKinley Ready, Claire Manuel, Eddie Ricks, Nate Hutson, Andrew Rowell, Michaela Ready, Reeves Lawton, Anissa Manuel, Lynn Manuel, Larry Manuel and Brookes Lawton.
The Tina Connor Sunday School Class and the youth of Branchville Baptist Church gathered in front of Branchville High School on Aug. 16 to join in prayer. The groups, along with others in the community, came together to support the students as they entered a new school year. Plans are to meet again each semester as the youth group continues to do this each Monday morning. Branchville is in the Orangeburg-Calhoun Association.
First Baptist Church, Boiling Springs, recently recognized six summer missionaries to the local Hispanic community. Jim Goodroe, director of missions for the Spartanburg County Baptist Network, was on hand to congratulate the summer missionaries. During eight Thursday-night services over the summer, the church reached out to the Hispanic community. On the final night, more than 200 attended. The summer outreach saw 38 faith decisions, according to Evelyn Henderson, a mission volunteer at the church since 1961. “God has blessed our efforts,” she said. Pictured, from left: Goodroe and Henderson, along with summer missionaries Noemi Guerrero, Adela Guererro, Heath Williams, Haley Parris and Boiling Springs pastor Hank Williams. Not pictured: summer missionaries Jesse Hammett and Mitch Williams.
The congregation of Little Mountain Baptist Church, Wellford, named Ansel Norris as pastor emeritus during homecoming services on Sept. 19. He served Little Mountain Church for 21 years before his retirement. “Rev. Norris is one of my heroes of the faith,” said senior pastor Terry Pleasant, who acknowledged the “many wonderful things that were accomplished for the Lord” during Norris’ ministry, and added, “I am so blessed to follow this wonderful servant of Christ.”
John L. Parker, center, was ordained as deacon by First Baptist Church, Harleyville. Pictured with Parker are his wife Sandy and pastor Martin Wiles.
Blair Snipes, 93, taught the Pastor’s Auditorium Sunday School Class at Six and Twenty Baptist Church, Pendleton, on Aug. 1. Snipes and his wife, Bobbie, continue to be active in local ministry. Pictured with Snipes, left, is pastor Willie Honea.
Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Fountain Inn, held Vacation Bible School the week of Aug. 8. The theme was Saddle Ridge Ranch, and VBS director Christy Murphy said a total of 85 were in attendance, with three salvations and four rededications reported. Robbie Alexander, a teenager of the church, shared his testimony with the group. The week concluded with a time of sharing by the young people, as well as a hotdog supper and hayrides.
Welcome Baptist Church, Anderson, celebrated homecoming and honored its 14 longest-serving members on Aug. 22. Pictured are seven of the 14 who attended the special event and their years of service (from left): David Martin, 80 years; Annie Frances Blackman, 66; Willard Bishop, 59; Frances Smith, 62; Juanita Garrison, 55; T. Ed Garrison, 80; and Margaret Freeman, 52. Not pictured: Edna Smith, 65; Jimmy Garrison, 60; Tom R. Garrison Jr., 56; Peggy Barker, 55; Bea Webb, 55; Ben Wilson, 54; and Margie Wilson, 54. Juanita Garrison’s column, Sunday Dinner, is a regular feature in The Baptist Courier.
New Hope Baptist Church, Cross Anchor, recently held Vacation Bible School, using “Saddle Ridge Ranch” as its theme. Pictured is pastor Ronny Marmol, who preached in his “cowboy duds” to celebrate the church reaching its VBS offering goal.
Ruffin Baptist Church WMU coordinator Carolyn Cloud (third from left) and WMU director Clara Cook (third from right) recently visited the Brookland Campus of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home to deliver paper supplies, canned goods and cleaning supplies. “Brookland Campus has been one of our favorite missions for the last four years,” said Cook. “We enjoy seeing and talking with the children and staff each and every visit.” Pictured with Cloud and Cook are several children who live on the Brookland Campus.
Bethea Baptist Retirement Community in Darlington hosted a World Mission Fair on Sept. 18. Sponsored by Welsh Neck Baptist Association, the event featured missionaries from several nations. The missionaries, pictured above, were also guest speakers in several Welsh Neck Association churches on Sept. 19.
New Hope Baptist Church, Cross Anchor, recently held a special service to dedicate a historical marker in celebration of its 206th anniversary. Pictured are history committee members Ann Harris, left, and Elizabeth Bishop.
First Baptist Church, Honea Path, held Vacation Bible School June 14-18, with “Saddle Ridge Ranch” as the theme. Total enrollment for the week was 300, with four salvations and six rededications. In addition, the children raised $1,271 for Matthew’s Hope, which helps needy children. Mike Moody is pastor and Rita Green is VBS director at Honea Path First Baptist.
The ladies of Hunt’s Memorial Baptist Church, Easley, recently celebrated the new church year with a WMU Fresh Start fellowship honoring Mary’s House of Easley. Ashley Cummings, from Mary’s House, was the guest speaker. The WMU group presented Cummings with love gifts collected throughout the summer for Mary’s House, a domestic violence shelter and ministry to women involved in abusive relationships. The WMU at Hunt’s Memorial plan to continue donations, support and prayers for Mary’s House throughout the upcoming church year.
Pine Crest Baptist Church, Andrews, held Vacation Bible School July 18-23, using Saddle Ridge Ranch as the theme. In keeping with that theme, a homemade wagon (pictured at left) was given to the church by an anonymous donor. More than 60 children were in attendance each night, with one salvation and two new members reported. Jack Mobley is pastor at Pine Crest.
Pine Crest Baptist Church, Andrews, hosted a Back To School Bash on Sept. 23. The group of 23 children and 17 adults in attendance learned about the effects of bad choices and about their need to depend on God to help them make right choices each day.
Geraldine Stephens, a longtime member of Cavins Baptist Church, Woodruff, recently was honored with a surprise 80th birthday party given by friends and family members. “Mrs. Geraldine” has been an active member at Cavins for many years, serving as church clerk for 19 years and Sunday school teacher for 27.
Carl Vincent and his sisters, Nancy Hinson and Sandra Holden, pose by a painting of Beaver Creek Baptist Church created by Carl’s wife Margie in memory of their parents, June and Coleman Vincent. The painting was dedicated to Beaver Creek during homecoming services on Aug. 1 to officially begin the church’s yearlong celebration of its 200th anniversary.
Long Branch Baptist Church, Dalzell, recently licensed Johnny Miller to the ministry. He plans to attend Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute this year. Presenting the certificate of license to Miller, left, is pastor James Allen.