Courier counts 10 prior editors in 150-year history

In its 150 years as a South Carolina Baptist publication, The Baptist Courier has been led by 10 previous editors. Founding editor Tilman R. Gaines had the shortest tenure, only three years. A graduate of Furman University, he was serving as pastor of First Baptist Church of Yorkville, founded in 1866, when, at age 35, […]

SCBC church planting team welcomes new staff

Darryl Gaddy and Josh Bradley have joined the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s church planting team, also known as the START Team. Gaddy served as a church planter in Detroit, Mich., where he planted Victory Fellowship Community Church in 2006. While in Detroit, Gaddy was commissioned as a church planting catalyst with the North American Mission […]

The Value of The Baptist Courier from a Personal Perspective

As far back as I can remember, I have appreciated The Baptist Courier as a vital contributor and supporter of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Let me explain. My hometown is Hartsville in Darlington County, where I was born and bred. My home church was First Baptist, located in the heart of town, and I […]

Coastal Evangelism Conference set for Aug. 7-9

Langston Baptist Church will host the annual Coastal Evangelism Conference Aug. 7-9 in its 2,500-seat sanctuary in Conway. Speakers include Mike Stone, H.B. Charles, Jeff LaBorg, Herb Reavis, Johnny Hunt, Rock Collins, Bob Pitman, and Tyler Blue. Worship leader for the week is Doug Smith. During the Thursday evening meeting, a mass choir composed of […]

At summer camp: Amazing adventures await, spiritual impact probable

Summer is just around the corner.  Do you know where your kids are going? From three bustling college campuses and a wooded conference center to laurel-laden mountain peaks and sandy seashores, tens of thousands of teens and children soon will be having some amazing adventures at one of South Carolina Baptists’ camps this summer.  Their […]

Three receive state disaster relief awards

Three volunteers were recognized for their volunteer service recently at the South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief training event in Conway. David Carver received the Choice & Grace Watson Award for personifying a lifetime of service in disaster relief ministry. Now a North Carolina resident, Carver previously served in the Seneca area and continues to serve […]

First Quarter Giving

Giving to the Cooperative Program budget of the Southern Baptist Convention was 3.85 percent above budget. Of the $194 million budget, the biggest allotment goes to the International Mission Board at 50.41 percent. Budget giving to the South Carolina Baptist Convention for the first quarter, according to CFO Bryan Holley, was “7 percent under budget […]

State Pastors Conference introduces new format for 2019

This year’s meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Pastors Conference will see a couple of changes, according to the group’s president. Schuyler Peterson, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Spartanburg, said the conference will be held over two days instead of one and will feature speakers who have not previously appeared at the South Carolina […]

President’s Perspective: Engaging in ‘Convention Life’

Once a year, the churches of the South Carolina Baptist Convention send messengers from their congregations to help set the course for our cooperative ministry. This gathering of South Carolina Baptists is called the annual meeting. This meeting is a vitally important part of Baptist life. There are at least four important things that take […]