By Presiding Bishop A.D. Beacham, Jr.
May 16, 2015
The Upper South Carolina Conference met in its annual session at Beech Springs, South Carolina on Saturday, May 16th. This conference session marked the 100th year that the Upper South Carolina Conference IPHC has been serving Christ. The primary centennial celebration will be in August at Beech Springs (https://iphc.org/gso/2015/07/01/upper-south-carolina-conference-celebrates-100-years/).
There were over 200 in attendance for the annual conference. In his State of the Conference report, Bishop Ray Boggs indicated that new congregations are becoming a part of this historic conference. He expressed thanks to the conference council and congregations for their continued prayers and support for his wife Karen and their family. Special prayer was offered for her and it was a powerful demonstration of Christian love by the conference to the Boggs family. Bishop Boggs has demonstrated what it is for husbands to love their wife as Christ loves the church. “In sickness and in health” is being lived out by this wonderful couple and their children. We continue to stand with them in prayer.
Two candidates were presented for License Ministers Credentials: Rev. Janet G. Bailey and Rev. John B. Smith. There were nine candidates who received ordination in the conference: Rev. Jessica K. Erwin, Rev. Chalise N. Herrera and her husband Rev. Eder G. Herrera, Sr., Rev. Terri S. Herrlein, Rev. Yvon D. Ledoux, Rev. Ricky Long, Rev. Louie Murray, Rev. J. Scott Propes, and Rev. Jayson R. Shackelford.
The annual conference was marked by a wonderful spirit of unity and progress. A sense excitement and anticipation about the aforementioned Centennial Celebration in August was also evident.
The global IPHC family joins with the Upper South Carolina Conference in celebrating 100 years of faithful service. This celebration has personal significance to me as my father, the late Rev. A.D. Beacham, Sr. (Pete), was first licensed and ordained in the Upper South Carolina. His ordination certificate was signed by Bishop Joseph H. King.