Steve Jones retired from the pastorate of Richland Springs Baptist Church in Saluda, where he has served as pastor for almost 25 years. Jones served the Lord in ministry for over 45 years and was pastor of several churches in the area. He attended the University of South Carolina and Charleston Southern University. With Jones […]
The congregation of Second Baptist Church of Laurens observed its 125th anniversary on Oct. 16. The church was first organized as Little River Baptist Church on Oct. 3, 1897. Its first meeting took place under a brush arbor on Holmes Street. The church’s name was changed to Laurens Second in 1899, when it also joined […]
This year’s Pastors Conference of the South Carolina Baptist Convention features the theme, “Hope and Encouragement,” when it meets on Monday, Nov. 14, at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo. A morning and afternoon session are planned, with four sermons and two encouragement messages. Gary Hollingsworth, executive director-treasurer of the SCBC, will open the meeting […]
The South Carolina Baptist Sexual Abuse Task Force has completed nearly a year of research, prayer, and work. Their report, after approval from the Executive Board, will be presented at this year’s annual meeting Nov. 13-14 at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo. The Courier sat down with D.J. Horton, lead pastor at Church at […]
Our church is blessed to have the best greeter that ever walked the earth. His name is Freddy, and he is a Chiweenie. A Chiweenie is a canine mixture of chihuahua and dachshund. Freddy is named after my grandfather and father, both Southern Baptist pastors. We acquired this little dog in 2019, a year after […]
The COVID pandemic pressured many churches to run the gamut of responses. Some closed completely for a while. Others found hybrid ways to continue to worship: parking lot or lawn services, drive-in services, empty sanctuaries streaming a service for at-home members, and many other creative ways to continue as the church during challenging times. Malvern […]
On Aug. 28, Kingstree First Baptist Church recognized Debbie Reardon (center) for 25 years as financial secretary. Pictured with Reardon are pastor Ian Geimer (left) and personnel committee chairman Debby McCutcheon, who presented a monetary gift to Reardon.
When a new pastor and his family follow God’s call to a church, it can be a scary time for them — they don’t know anyone, and they may have left their family to follow His direction. At the very beginning, a church is usually over the moon about the new arrivals, planning a welcome […]
The sanctuary of Greater Faith United Missionary Baptist Church, Columbia, was destroyed by an electrical fire July 31. Church members had met earlier for two services that Sunday before flames were reported around 2 p.m. The building was empty when firefighters arrived. Charles Graham, pastor of Greater Faith, said the building, which had formerly been […]
Jerry White has retired from the pastorate after 50 years and three months of preaching and pastoral ministry. He has pastored several churches in the Upstate and served as a professor at Fruitland Baptist Bible College. He also served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and on several convention and associational committees. White […]