Like most U.S. pastors, Robby Gallaty knows someone who has been affected by opioid abuse. But unlike most pastors, he has personally suffered with addiction. Twenty years ago, Gallaty endured a near-fatal car accident. When he left the hospital, the club-bouncer-turned-church-leader took with him several prescriptions for painkillers. “My descent into full-scale drug abuse was […]
Charleston church preparing future ministers
A number of years ago, the Lord placed in David Dyer’s heart a desire to pursue a vocational ministry. As a student at Charleston Southern University, he began preparing for a life of ministry. He joined a growing number of young people who — having surrendered to a call to ministry — chose to participate […]
David Lyda called as pastor of Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church, Edgefield
David Lyda is the new pastor of Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church in Edgefield. He previously served at Washington Baptist Church, Greer, as Sunday school director and teacher, AWANA leader, and children’s church teacher. Lyda is currently completing his master of divinity degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Beth, have one […]
Clarence Bert Ross earns doctorate from New Orleans Seminary
Clarence Bert Ross, of Lexington, received the doctor of educational ministry degree Dec. 14 at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is president of Leadernow Ministries.
Varnville pastor Tommy Kelly chosen as MLK Day parade marshal for 2nd time in 10 years
Tommy Kelly, pastor of First Baptist Church, Varnville, was selected as parade marshal for the city’s Martin Luther King Day parade for the second time in 10 years.
Edisto Island pastor shares insights gained from legal suit
In successfully concluding the church’s lawsuit against the town of Edisto Beach in August, the pastor of Redeemer Fellowship feels he’s gained three important insights worth sharing with other Southern Baptists. A U.S. District Court in South Carolina has filed a statement of interest in favor of Redeemer Fellowship’s claim that town leaders violated the […]
Sylvia Circle seeks relaunch with African-American pastor
The few remaining members of Sylvia Circle Baptist Church observed an ending and marked a new beginning Nov. 17 during a 4 p.m. service of remembrance and giving thanks. The Rock Hill congregation and its bivocational pastor, Duane Ivey, officially turned over their property and assets to Park Baptist Church, also in Rock Hill, which […]
New SCBC president bringing focus back on missions & education
New South Carolina Baptist Convention president Josh Powell is a church historian, pastor, and overseas seminary president. He will preside over the 200th annual meeting of the SCBC in November 2020, although the 200th anniversary will be celebrated in 2021. Powell and his wife, Allison, are preacher’s kids and preacher’s grandkids. Both their dads are […]
Denmark First celebrates 175 years
Approximately 300 members and guests packed the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Denmark on Oct. 6 to celebrate the congregation’s 175th year of ministry. Denmark First has been known by four different names during its history. Beginning in 1844 as Springs Church, which met in a log house near Bamberg, the congregation moved eight […]
Padgett’s Creek honors longtime pastor Caldwell with new truck
Carrol Caldwell, pastor of Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, Union, for 15 years, was surprised with a Toyota truck on pastor appreciation day. Caldwell averages about 400 miles a week in his travels, and his current truck had 330,000 miles on it.