Columbia Metro Association calls Jamie Rogers as exec. director

Jamie Rogers has begun duties as the new executive director of the Columbia Metro Baptist Association. Pastors and lay leaders of CMBA churches affirmed Rogers during a special called meeting in July held at St. Andrews Baptist Church in Columbia. Rogers has been the Columbia Baptist Collegiate Ministry director on the University of South Carolina […]

Spartanburg First Baptist pastor Don Wilton announces retirement

Don Wilton, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, announced Aug. 14 his intention to retire. A native of South Africa, Wilton has pastored the church 29 years. He also serves as president of The Encouraging Word television ministry and has written several books and numerous magazine articles. Wilton was close friends with evangelist Billy […]

North Conway pastor Jeff Gaskins retires

Jeff Gaskins retired on June 30 after 16 years of ministry at North Conway Baptist Church. A native of North Carolina, Gaskins is a graduate of Welch College and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and served 30 years in the pastorate at four churches in Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina. He and his wife, […]

Washington Church, Greer, calls Trent Henson as pastor

Trent Henson has been called as pastor of Washington Baptist Church, Greer. A graduate of the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he was a history teacher in public and Christian schools for 11 years. In 2014, he joined the ministry of the Greer Christian Learning Center, where he taught high school […]

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 Marietta, S.C., and Louisville, Ky. Before joining the Taylors staff, DeWease served as executive pastor at […]

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 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 […]