The Baptist Courier

Filter by:

Taylors First Church calls Chris DeWease as executive pastor

Chris DeWease has accepted the call as executive pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church. A native of Greenville, he is a graduate of North Greenville University and attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has planted Spanish language churches in... Continue Reading »

Mt. Olivet pastor Tommy Gaskin retires

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... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

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!... Continue Reading »

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... Continue Reading »

Stream SBC meeting on smart TVs, other devices with new ACTS2 app

For the first time, viewers may stream the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting and Pastors Conference on smart TVs and other app-based platforms. The new app, provided through a partnership of the SBC Executive Committee and the Acts 2... Continue Reading »