Pine Level Baptist Church hosted the 2007 Fall Session on October 18. One-hundred eleven registered messengers and guests from 21 churches attended the event that was marked by good singing, great preaching and the signing of two new partnerships. The theme of this year’s session was Moving with God and the session was a celebration of how God has moved in the association and its churches in the past 12 months.

Dr.  Jim Austin, Executive Director-Treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, was the principal speaker. The Pine Level Baptist Church choir prepared participants for the celebration with a 15-minute concert of praise. Voices of Praise, a new ensemble of St. Helena Baptist Church, set a worshipful tone before Dr. Austin’s message.

Two partnership covenants were signed that night:

1.       Ministry to Military Families: a partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ was formalized for a ministry to military personnel and their families. The Port Royal Ministry Center (formerly, the Seafarer’s Center) will house this new ministry.  The ministry will provide Bible study and recreation on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and counseling to returning personnel experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Anyone interested in serving in this ministry should contact Larry Leming (lcm@islc.net). Pictured at right signing the covenant are Larry Leming with David and Linda Aspden of Campus Crusade for Christ International.

2.       Arms around the Triangle: Representatives from 5 SC Baptist churches, 2 SC Baptist associations, the SC Baptist Convention, and the North American Mission Board signed a covenant partnership launching a church planting movement in Jasper & Beaufort Counties. The vision for this movement God gave us is called Arms around the Triangle. Beginning with the planting of a hub church in Bluffton called Crosspoint, this vision focuses on starting new churches by raising and training missional leaders as planters. The covenant was signed by SRBA, Crosspoint Bluffton, Bluffton First Baptist Church, Crosspoint Clemson, East Pickens Baptist Church,  North Spartanburg First Baptist Church, Pickens-Twelve Mile Baptist Association, South Carolina Baptist Convention, and the North American Mission Board. 
Pictured signing covenant are: (l to r) Al Phillips, Ken Lewis, Greg Edens, Dino Senesi, Carl Martin, Dennis Mitchell, Steve Scudder and Dennis Wilkins

The 2008 Operation Budget was set at $300,400.00. The next 2 Spring Session dates were moved to Sunday afternoons with a focus on missions. The 2008 Spring Session will be Sunday, April 20, at Okatee Baptist Church from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Lonnie Riley, director of Meridzo Ministries in Lynch, Kentucky, will be the featured speaker. The 2008 Fall Session will be October 21 at Maye River Baptist Church and the 2009 Spring session will be Sunday, April 26, at Grays Hill Baptist Church.

Two people were honored for distinguished service to the churches of SRBA. Betty Tibbs was recognized for 18 years of service as Director of SRBA WMU. Dennis Wilkins was acknowledged for 2 years of service as Moderator for SRBA.

In reflecting over the evening, one messenger wrote, “WELL GLORY! I had to get that out of my system before I could write this letter. Thank you for your outstanding service and putting together the awesome fall session of the SRBA.”