Richard Furman is arguably the most important figure in early Baptist life in America and unquestionably the most important foundational figure in South Carolina Baptist life. Another well-known contemporary and important leader in his own right, W.B. Johnson, said that when Furman spoke on an issue, “he settled it.” Furman was sought after as a […]
Guest Viewpoint: We Need to Remember Who We Are
“After this I looked, and behold a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who […]
Guest Viewpoint: Two Memorial Day Videos
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then two videos recorded on Memorial Day are worth millions. One video was taken in the morning at the Ramble, a large retreat area in Central Park, that’s popular with birdwatching enthusiasts. Christian Cooper, who is black, went to watch birds, and a white woman (Amy Cooper, […]
Tony Beam named SCBC public policy director
Tony Beam will become the new director of the Office of Public Policy for the South Carolina Baptist Convention beginning Jan. 1, 2021. He will maintain his position as director of Church and Community Engagement at North Greenville University. SCBC Executive Director-Treasurer Gary Hollingsworth said that, with the blessings of NGU President Gene Fant, “Tony […]
Update: McCall, LaVida, SummerSalt, KidSalt Camps Cancelled
Update: All remaining weeks for Camp McCall, Camp LaVida, SummerSalt and KidSalt in July and August have been cancelled because of continued coronavirus concerns, directors of the four South Carolina Baptist Convention camps announced May 29. “It is with a heavy heart the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the South Carolina WMU announce the suspension […]
SCBDR donates masks, protective gear for medical personnel
South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief has donated thousands of masks and other protective gear to assist doctors, nurses and other medical personnel across the state in caring for coronavirus patients. The deliveries, made by SCBDR volunteers through April 10, included more than 16,327 N95 masks, 2,856 Tyvek suits, 1,040 goggles and 36,400 gloves. The supplies […]
SCBC Executive Board approves applying for federal aid
The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention held a called meeting on April 10 in order to consider making application for emergency payroll support through the Federal CARES Act and the Payroll Protection Plan. After prayer and much discussion, the board approved directing SCBC Executive Director-Treasurer Gary Hollingsworth and his team to proceed […]
SCBC offers avenue for churches to continue serving
The effects of COVID-19 have heightened the need for South Carolina Baptist churches to come together, to both share and serve the needs of their communities. The “COVID-19 Serve Community Aid” has been established to make $250,000 available to aid churches in meeting the specific needs of their communities. “Our purpose statement is clear: ‘We […]
S.C. healthcare chaplains offering compassion, hope in challenging times
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the state, hospital chaplains have found new ways to provide a “ministry of presence” to critically ill patients and to family members who cannot be with their sick, and possibly dying, loved ones. “We have heard about the heroic actions of frontline doctors and nurses serving selflessly during this […]
Federal Loans: ‘Should We or Shouldn’t We?’
By this time, many decisions have already been made regarding what churches should do concerning the Federal Government’s offer of loans/grants to nonprofits. Because of the severe economic impact on small businesses and churches, the Small Business Administration made a special exemption for churches to pursue loans, which could turn into grants. The question most […]