Tommy Gaskin has retired as pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Patrick. He served at Mt. Olivet for 16 years. During his 40 years in the ministry, he also served the following churches: David’s Grove, Bay Springs, and Clayton Plains, all near Chesterfield; Wallace; and White Plains, Gaffney. He and his wife, Frances, will […]
Obituary: W.L. Collins
William Lawrence “W.L.” Collins Sr., 82, of Florence, died May 15, 2022, following a brief illness. A native of Culberson, N.C., he was a graduate of Truett McConnell College, West Georgia College, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Baptist churches in Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina during his 64 years […]
Hollingsworth issues statement on Guidepost controversy
In response to a tweet by Guidepost Solutions in support of LGBTQ+ causes, South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Executive Director-Treasurer Gary Hollingsworth issued a statement to the Baptist Courier June 8 encouraging Southern Baptists to “seek to cooperate with organizations that share our biblical worldview and gospel-driven values,” while expressing equal concern for survivors of sexual abuse. […]
Southern Baptist church plants increase for second consecutive year
Southern Baptists added 1,018 new congregations in 2021 — 735 church plants, 201 affiliations and 82 new campuses. This represents a 25 percent increase in church plants and a 19 percent increase in congregations overall. Of the 735 church plants, 135 were replants, which the North American Mission Board has traditionally counted. “We celebrate every […]
SBC Executive Committee moves 2023 annual meeting to New Orleans
In a special-called meeting April 21, the SBC Executive Committee voted on moving the 2023 annual meeting from Charlotte to New Orleans. EC Vice President for Communications Jonathan Howe said recent growth in annual meeting attendance necessitated the switch from Charlotte to New Orleans. Charlotte was confirmed as the 2023 host city by messengers to […]
Dority, McClendon to serve on SBC Committee on Committees
Southern Baptist Convention President Ed Litton has announced his appointments to the 2022 Committee on Committees. The committee’s 68 members consist of two from each of the 34 states and regions qualified for representation on SBC boards. Representatives from South Carolina include Kathy Dority of First Baptist Church, Taylors, and Josh McClendon of Philippi Baptist […]
S.C. executive director search team announced
Steve Hogg, chairman of the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Executive Board, has announced the make-up of the search committee for the next executive director-treasurer. The announcement came May 11 after Gary Hollingsworth shared his retirement plans with the Executive Board on April 26. He will retire on April 30, 2023, which will complete his tenure […]
Clayton reveals source of Daniel’s ‘Courage in Chaos’
Author Ken Clayton was moved to write “Daniel: Courage in Chaos” when he realized the amazing similarities between Daniel’s time and the chaos in our time. And, just as Daniel found the courage to face the chaos in his life, so can we. “Daniel was uprooted from his old familiar surroundings and traveled across the […]
Former Charleston Southern coach pens discipleship book
A former coach at Charleston Southern University has published a book that combines spiritual truth and his recommendations for becoming a team leader. Jay Mills, former head football coach at CSU from 2003 to 2012, has written “Game On! A Coach’s Game Plan for Discipleship.” He now serves as executive pastor of Pleasant Valley Community […]
Spring Valley pastor Robert Winburn announces retirement
Robert Winburn will retire on June 5 after 46 years of ministry. He has been pastor of churches in Kentucky and South Carolina, serving the past 33 years at Spring Valley Baptist in Columbia. A native of Ehrhardt, he received a B.A. from Wofford College and M.Div. and D.Min. degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. […]