After 20 years of vocational church ministry, Terry Lanford resigned as a senior pastor in 2017 and launched a workshop ministry designed to equip volunteer teachers in the church. “Entrusted to Teach” is a multifaceted ministry aimed at better preparing teachers in the church for the kind of instruction that reaches both “head and heart.” […]
A seven-member committee appointed at the 2018 annual meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Convention has begun its work to enhance the efforts of the SCBC in racial reconciliation. The group has been assigned the task of helping South Carolina Baptists build greater cooperation and create ministry partnerships with “our African-American brothers and sisters in South […]
Later this year, a scholarship honoring Bryant and Roseanne Fersner will begin to provide financial assistance for North Greenville University students who plan to pursue vocational Christian ministry. Fersner served as a pastor for 35 years before becoming director of missions for Moriah Baptist Association in 2014. He graduated from the University of South Carolina […]
The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, meeting Dec. 13 in Columbia, elected new officers for 2019 and approved a change in how budgeted funds will be divided among the SCBC’s three affiliated universities. Last November, SCBC messengers approved a $28 million Cooperative Program budget for 2019 that included nearly $4 million in […]
As churches become aware of potential safety issues, more are signing up for background check services through LifeWay’s OneSource program. “The numbers have increased dramatically since we began our relationship with backgroundchecks.com,” said LifeWay’s Jennie Morris. Morris said part of the growth comes from offering a $10 price point for a search that includes nationwide […]
Eddy Ray Mattison, 66, of Honea Path, died Dec. 10, 2018. Born in Anderson, he was ordained at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Belton. During his ministry, he served Beulah Baptist of Fountain Inn, Flat Shoals Baptist of Hartwell, Ga., and Poplar Springs Baptist of Iva. After retiring, he served as interim pastor at Mt. […]
Carolyn Davis Goforth, 88, of Gaffney, wife of Baptist pastor John Goforth, died Dec. 10, 2018. The Goforths began serving in ministry together in the late 1960s. She taught Sunday school, worked in the WMU, sang in the choir, and sometimes directed the choir. She sang at many weddings and funerals. Survivors include her husband […]
Bernice Currie Debruhl, 85, of Cassatt, wife of the late Pete Debruhl, a longtime pastor in South Carolina, died Dec. 21, 2018. Born in Camden, she served with her husband at the following South Carolina Baptist churches: Beaverdam, Harmony, Calvary, Socastee, Oakey Swamp and Galivants Ferry. Survivors include two children, seven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. […]
Jimmy Aiken Cox, 77, of Pendleton, died Dec. 12, 2018. A native of Seneca, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves. Upon earning a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he served as a minister, retiring as pastor of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Pendleton. Following retirement, he served as pastor of Davis […]
The retirement of a current staff member and a homecoming for a former staffer will mark a season of change for The Baptist Courier this spring. Butch Blume, a 20-year employee of The Courier — and managing editor for the past 10 years — will retire in April. Todd Deaton, who served as managing editor […]