It was an honor to preside over the South Carolina Annual Conference held in Lake City, South Carolina, May 18, 2019. There were 251 registered delegates which included 145 clergy, 47 spouses, and49 local congregation delegates.
Special guests were recognized by Bishop Greg Amos. They included Rev. Jimmy McKenzie (former conference superintendent), Rev. Doug Amos (former conference superintendent), Rev. Donald Duncan (former conference superintendent, former IPHC vice chairman, former IPHC secretary/treasurer, and former executive director of World Missions Ministries), Rev. Rabon Stewart (former superintendent, Alpha Conference), Mrs. Jewelle Stewart (former IPHC Women’s Ministries director), Mrs. Tame Lambert (former IPHC Women’s Ministries director), Rev. Carl and Camilla Sturkie (retired IPHC missionaries), Dr. Ron White (president, Emmanuel College), Mr. David Parker (president, IPHC Extension Loan Fund), Rev. Chris Thompson (president, Holmes Bible College; former IPHC vice chairman; former executive director of Evangelism USA), Mrs. Whitney Davis (IPHC Women’s Ministries director), Rev. Paul Howell (former executive director of IPHC Discipleship Ministries), Mr. Mike Dillard (Turbeville Children’s Home director), and Rev. Hector Sanchez (IPHC National Hispanic Council member).
The conference session opened with praise and worship, which was followed by Bishop Beacham’s presentation of the Sixth IPHC Core Value emphasis, “We Prayerfully Value Justice.” This included the Justice video found at https://iphc.org/corevalues/justice/. Bishop Beacham also presented the Arise 2033 video https://iphc.org/arise/.
At the close of the Justice presentation, the Holy Spirit moved upon a member of the delegation to call for special prayer for Bishop Greg Amos and his wife Tamara. Greg and Tamara have both experienced serious health issues. The entire delegation was moved to enter into a season of intercessory prayer for them as they stood at the altar, surrounded by the conference executive council and other ministers and laity.
It was deeply moving, and encouraging, to realize that the IPHC remains sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The presence of Jesus in our midst is more important than our routine business!
Bishop Amos presented 50-year service pins to the following: Rev. Bill Loving (53 years of ministry); Rev. Eddie Stacey (50 years of ministry); and Dr. Frank Tunstall (58 years of ministry; Dr. Tunstall received his pin a few weeks later during camp meeting).
The following ministers were recognized as retiring: Rev. James Greene and Rev. Francis Peters.
The following received Minister’s License: Floyd Calvin Beane, Jr., Damon Marcellin Brown-Crawford, Thomas K. Caldwell, Tommy Griffin Hardwick, Jr., Samantha Margaret McCutcheon, and Jose Irnaldo Perdomo.
The following were ordained: Douglas S. Cooper, Caleb Earl Henderson.
The following were remembered in the Memoirs Report presented by Rev. Larry Jones: Mrs. Beulah Kee Haselden, Mrs. Janice Rodgers Joyner, Mrs. Clara W. Smith, Rev. Robert Glen Ward, Sr., Mrs. Ella Mae Gaylord Cashwell, Mrs. Jean Orvin Readling, Mrs. Shelvy Jean Brinson Wilson, Mrs. Barbara Mishoe Stalvey, Rev. J. Timothy Howell, Rev. Reginold Lewis “Reggie” Thames, Rev. Dale Lewis Deese, Mrs. Linnie Mae Powell Gause, Rev. John Henry Alford, Mrs. Rhonda R. Costner, Mrs. Linda Martin Kirvin, Mr. Burton Lavon Malphrus, Mrs. Nina Nix Cox, Mrs. Dolores Clark Taunton.
Bishop Greg Amos presented an inspiring State of the Conference Report. I appreciate the emphasis he and other bishops are placing on the IPHC vision of Arise 2033. During 2018, local congregations reported there were 1,017 first time salvations, 110 rededications, 429 water baptisms, 437 who experienced sanctification, and 591 baptized in the Holy Spirit.
As of the end of 2018, the South Carolina Conference had 439 credentialed ministers and 175 member congregations. There were also nine church plants and three affiliated congregations.
The South Carolina Conference has consistently led the way as the largest contributor to the annual Global Outreach Offering for World Missions Ministries and EVUSA. We are thankful for the anointed leadership in the conference and local congregations.
