“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Psalm 136 is one of my favorites this time of year. With 26 occurrences, the refrain may seem repetitive to some, but to me it’s a solemn reminder of God’s interminable, faithful love for me and all His people: “His faithful love endures forever.” Verses 1-3 […]
Striking the Waters: An Invitation to Prayer
Dear Reader, allow me to invite you to a very special, convention-wide prayer gathering Monday night, Nov. 13, from 8:30–9:30 p.m. at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia. We’ll sing a couple of songs, but this is not a praise and worship gathering. We’ll shake hands and give hugs, but this is not a fellowship gathering. […]
Open Letter to S.C. Baptists: Executive director-treasurer shares priorities, announces key staff changes
South Carolina Baptists have been gracious to afford me the time necessary to move slowly through the state, building relationships, praying for wisdom, and asking questions. In traveling the state these past five months, the Lord has planted several priorities in my heart — the first of which I would like to share with you […]
Police arrest man following exchange of gunfire near S.C. Baptist building
Police responded to an “active shooter” incident on July 18 near the South Carolina Baptist Convention building in Columbia. SCBC staff sheltered inside their building until the gunman was taken into custody after he was shot in the upper body by authorities, the convention reported on their website. The shooter was identified as 26-year-old Brandon […]
South Carolina Baptists lead the way in GenSend participants
Summer plans for many young adults look like taking vacations or returning to their hometown, but for more than 50 students throughout the South Carolina Baptist Convention, plans look like living on mission through the North American Mission Board’s GenSend program. The convention announced via its website that the 56 students who will be participating in […]
Additional NAMB student evangelism funds help SCBC, other state conventions reach next generation
One of the keys to the future of the church is reaching the next generation. Over the last year and a half, Southern Baptists have been intentionally focused on sharing the gospel with students. In 2021, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) announced an infusion of $5 million over four years to support evangelistic efforts […]
President’s Perspective: Let’s Leave!
Nobody was going to heaven from Thessalonica. It was a spiritual wasteland: no Jesus, no hope. Jesus had come into the world, done His amazing work, and returned to the Father; but the folks way over in Thessalonica were completely oblivious. It was a long way from Bethlehem, Golgotha, and the empty tomb. Somehow, though, […]
President’s Perspective: Engaging Lostness Overseas
Part of the turf that goes with pastoring Southern Baptist churches is the annual tipping of the hat to international missions under the banner of Lottie Moon. At least that’s how I viewed it for many years: “It’s Lottie time again, let me work up a missions sermon and slide it in somewhere between Thanksgiving […]
Hollingsworth recognized for service to S.C. Baptists
Messengers to the annual meeting at Irmo’s Riverland Hills Baptist Church took time to honor Executive Director-Treasurer Gary Hollingsworth for his seven years of service to South Carolina Baptists. Hollingsworth has set his retirement date as April 30, 2023. Calling his years at the state convention’s helm the pinnacle of his 48 years of ministry, […]
Meet the New SCBC President
Albert Allen, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Newberry, is the new president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He has served as a pastor, missionary, chair of the SCBC Executive Board, and president-elect of the convention. He graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1986 and practiced law until 1987 […]