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 […]
SCBC Executive Board Members to Meet Online
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 […]