The scheduled April 21 meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Executive Board has been moved online. Executive Director Gary Hollingsworth announced March 30 that due to the extension of social distancing policies, the meeting will be held via Zoom video conference. For members who do not have a computer with a camera, a telephone conference […]
An Open Letter to S.C. Baptist Pastors and Leaders
In Colossians 4:3, the Apostle Paul shared a prayer request that “God would open a door for the Word.” The current coronavirus pandemic may very well be one of the greatest opportunities for Gospel witness we have had since 9/11. While opportunities abound, so do very real challenges. Local churches and denominations will not be […]
White Oak Conference Center’s property sold
The undeveloped 621 acres of White Oak Conference Center has been sold to Bravo-Charlie LLC of Sumter for $1.83 million. Scott Lee, chief administrative officer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, stated, “Their plan for the property is recreational, and they have actually renewed the existing hunting leases that we had in place.” The remaining […]
Helping Children in Need
The late Fred Rogers of the “Mr. Rogers” television show for children once said, “Anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me.” The 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, said, “Children are our most valuable resource.” When children are displaced or in danger, there is a problem. When […]
South Carolina Baptists give every inmate a gift
Sharing the love of the Christmas season came through individual gifts to every inmate in South Carolina this year, provided by churches and associations in the South Carolina Baptist Convention. The prisoner packet ministry has been going on for the past 40 years. Jon Jamison, Serve team leader with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, said […]
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 […]
White Oak Conference Center for sale again
White Oak Conference Center in Winnsboro was scheduled to be sold to Midlands Charter Institute last year for $5.4 million. However, the charter school failed to qualify for a loan and has moved off the campus. The property is on the market again. Scott Lee, chief administrative officer for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, stated […]
Three pastors, DOM recognized at 2019 annual meeting
The 2019 South Carolina Baptist Pastor of the Year Awards were presented during the Pastors Conference at Southside Church in Spartanburg. The awards are presented by Anderson University: • John E. White Award (churches up to 350 members): Will Browning, lead pastor of Journey Church in Screven Association. Browning started Journey Church about 12 years […]
South Carolina Baptist Convention’s First African-American President Elected
The 759 registered messengers to the 199th annual meeting made history Nov. 12 by electing a Simpsonville pastor as the first African-American to serve as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Meeting at the Church at The Mill in Moore, under the theme “Engage,” South Carolina Baptists were challenged by speakers — Brentwood, Tenn. […]