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 […]
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. […]
Longtime Upstate pastor Jim Oliver retires
Jim Oliver completed 34 years of ministry as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Moore on March 2. A party with surprise guest Franklin Graham was held earlier. Because of an emergency, Graham could not come — but his wife, Jane, and son, Roy, represented him and Samaritan’s Purse, where Oliver serves on the board […]
Journey Church calls Chris Fowler as lead pastor
Chris Fowler is the new lead pastor of Journey Church in Summerville. He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and completed a church planting residency at Brentwood (Tenn.) Baptist Church. Fowler previously served as a teaching pastor and mission multiplication pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Ga. He and his wife, Jana, have four children. […]
Campobello pastor Henry Johnson retires after 62 years of ministry
Henry Johnson recently retired as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Campobello after serving 12 years there. He spent 62 years in pastoral ministry, having also served the following South Carolina churches: Moore First; Sandy Springs, Chesnee; West Springs, Union; Apalache, Greer; and Grace, Spartanburg. He is a graduate of North Greenville Junior College, Furman […]
Steadman Baptist calls Camden native Neal Smith as pastor
Neal Smith, a native of Camden, has been called to serve as pastor of Steadman Baptist Church, located in Leesville. Smith continues to lead the church through revitalization. A graduate of Anderson University, he is currently pursuing his master’s degree in church revitalization from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves on the administrative team […]
Wassamassaw pastor Norman Rogers retires
Norman Rogers retired as senior pastor of Wassamassaw Baptist Church of Moncks Corner on Dec. 31. The church honored Rogers and his wife, Cindy, with a retirement dinner celebrating 40 years of pastoral ministry and 12 years at Wassamassaw. All four of their children and spouses and 12 grandchildren attended.
Gaffney First Baptist pastor Tommy Huddleston retires
Tommy Huddleston retired as pastor of First Baptist Church of Gaffney on Jan. 31. Earlier, he served as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Elgin; Catawba Baptist Church in Rock Hill; and First Baptist Church of West Columbia (now River District). A native of Gastonia, N.C., he received a B.A. degree from Gardner-Webb University, master […]
Woodruff Association calls Ken Petrus as missions strategist
Ken Petrus is the new missions strategist for Woodruff Baptist Association. A retired minister, he most recently served as administrative pastor at North Side Baptist Church in Greenwood for 17 years.
Greer pastor Drew Hines retires from Washington Baptist
Drew Hines, pastor of Washington Baptist Church in Greer, retired Jan. 30. A graduate of the University of South Carolina and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Hines has been a pastor for 42 years, serving five churches. In addition to Washington, where he has served since June 2001, his South Carolina pastorates include Ebenezer Welcome in […]