The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention moved on several fronts this week, including shaping the future of Cooperative Program giving and taking steps toward a reimagined ministry model for senior adults. 

In April of 2026, the board formed a Cooperative Program Study Group to take a look at giving trends and make recommendations to capture momentum among South Carolina Baptists. Chaired by Joy Emery, the group was comprised of several board members, SCBaptist staff members, pastors, and an outside consultant. After conducting and reviewing pastor surveys, the group brought forward several recommendations to unify the Cooperative Program’s narrative around a clearer, more missional message, increase education efforts, and build trust. 

Emery said the question they considered was, “What would it take for SCBaptists to become more deeply engaged in cooperating together for the sake of the Gospel?” The group emphasized that rebuilding engagement in the Cooperative Program is a shared responsibility. “Convention leaders, pastors, executive board, local churches, church members, and every CP-supported ministry partner must have a distinct role in demonstrating the Kingdom impact of working together,” Emery said.  

In light of the growing population in South Carolina, the recommendations also included a challenge to cooperating churches to increase giving by a total of 1.5% of their undesignated receipts over the next three years to match the growth rate. 

“As SCBaptists, other than prayer, the Cooperative Program is the only thing we do that impacts everything we do,” Executive Director-Treasurer Dr. Tony Wolfe said. “It’s time we stop worrying about whether we’ll have enough Cooperative Program dollars to accomplish our Great Commission goals, and start dreaming about how we’ll manage more than enough when God pours out a blessing on us through the generosity of our SCBaptist people.”  

The recommendations were unanimously approved by the board, and though no timelines were set, Wolfe emphasized that he will begin diving deeply into the recommendations in the coming months. 

Tying directly into the group’s call to unify the Convention’s messaging and continue to improve communication with SCBaptists, Wolfe also announced the hiring of Kelly Coakley as the organization’s new Chief Communications Officer. She will begin the role October 16 and bring decades of professional communications experience to the Executive Leadership Team. 

A Reimagined Ministry Model for Senior Adults 

The board also received a report from a joint subcommittee of the South Carolina Baptist Ministries of Aging (SCBMA) and the SCBaptist Executive Board about the future ministry model to reach senior adults in the state. This follows the finalization of the sale of Martha Franks and Bethea retirement communities on July 31. 

SCBMA President and CEO Tom Turner emphasized that although the decisions come with mixed emotions, he remains grateful for the Lord’s provision in the season of transition. “I am confident we selected an experienced organization who understands the importance of honoring the heritage of Bethea and Martha Franks and will do so while ensuring strong operations into the future,” Turner said.  

While the assumptions and objectives put forward by the subcommittee currently only consist of a framework and general direction for the ministry model, the details regarding funding and other specifics will continue to take shape in upcoming meetings.  

Wolfe emphasized the eternal stakes in his report. “Here’s what we know: 1,080,000 senior adults call South Carolina home, and that number is increasing—120 of them will die today and, as far as we know, 90 or more of those will spend eternity separated from God,” Wolfe said. “If we’re going to rise to the opportunity of our generation, we must develop and implement a robust statewide senior-adult mission and ministry strategy, and urgency is increasing by the day.”  

Read the press release and the subcommittee report. 

Breaking Ground for Carolina BCM 

The board also heard from Associate Executive Director-Treasurer Dr. Lee Clamp about the agreement with the University of South Carolina’s Development Foundation for a property swap that includes building a new facility for Baptist Collegiate Ministry on USC’s campus. The agreement comes as part of the Development Foundation’s plans for expanding mixed-use development downtown. 

The new 16,500 square foot building will take residence on the same block as the current building, keeping ministry in the heart of campus. Clamp said, “Buildings are nice, but it’s the ministry causing the students to come.” He emphasized his confidence that the new building will set up the ministry for decades of continued growth to reach students for Christ on USC’s campus. 

Celebrating Unity at the Annual Meeting 

Finally, President Ryan Pack provided insight to the upcoming annual meeting and its theme: “One.” The annual meeting takes place on Nov. 9-10 at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo, SC. Messenger registration opens on Oct. 1. “With this theme, we’re just building off who we are in South Carolina,” Pack said. “I want to celebrate being a state where we are focused in the right direction and united together for the sake of the Gospel.”  

The next board meeting takes place on Dec. 10, 2026.