While quickly moving up the engineering ranks of a major American corporation, God intervened in the life of Boyce Whitman and his wife Doris by calling Boyce to become a bivocational pastor.
AustinBy responding to God’s call on his life 50 plus years ago, Boyce began as pastor of Gap Hill Church in Pickens-Twelve Mile Association in 1961. Boyce continued in the bivocational role until he retired from the company and became a full-time pastor.
Since assuming the call to pastor at Gap Hill Church, Boyce has led the church to many areas of growth both spiritually and numerically. The church has become actively involved in outreach – consistently baptizing several each year – and has become involved in ministry efforts locally and internationally. Each year the church serves in Haiti, where they have constructed many houses for those impacted from recent earthquakes.
On Aug. 7, Gap Hill Church celebrated Boyce and Doris Whitman’s 50 years of faithful service. The church gave appropriate recognitions and had reminiscences of the Whitmans’ service. They also had a special dinner and an afternoon concert given in their honor. The recognition was much deserved for a faithful, humble leader.
The experience of Boyce and Doris Whitman highlights the importance of recognizing God’s servants who faithfully serve our local congregations.
October is traditionally set aside as Clergy Appreciation Month for churches all across our land. Many serve with low financial remuneration and with long hours. It is good to give thanks to those who serve God’s church by serving God’s people. Each church is encouraged to set aside a time during the month of October for thanksgiving and celebration for its pastor and staff.
Who knows, the experience of Gap Hill Church and pastor Boyce Whitman and his wife Doris may become the norm rather than the exception!
Both pastor and wife are quick to give all the glory to God for the vibrant and fruitful ministry that has characterized their ministry. They also emphasize that the church family has proven to be spiritually strong, consistently faithful, and committed to unity. These congregational attributes have contributed greatly to the pastor’s sterling track record as a servant leader.
– Austin is executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.