The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention gathered on September 16, 2025, at the SCBaptist building in Columbia for its fall meeting, with Chair Stephen Cannon presiding. 

Exciting Evangelism Trends

Associate Executive Director-Treasurer, Lee Clamp, shared exciting evangelism trends, including the 12,355 reported baptisms across the state, the 42 SCBaptist-funded church plants, and the 30,000 students engaged on college campuses with the Gospel. “God was up to something this past year at South Carolina Baptist,” Clamp said.  

Although these statistics are all on the rise from previous years, Clamp reminded the board that the work is far from over. “What keeps me up at night is the 200,000 college students that we’re not engaging. The million people who moved into South Carolina in the last decade looking for hope. The 3,118 people groups around the world with no known convert.” He encouraged SCBaptists to press on, urging that now is not a time for less, but a time for more. “Let our convention lead the way until every life is saturated and transformed by the hope of the Gospel.” 
 

Updates from Charleston Southern University

Several ministry partners brought updates, beginning with Keith Faulkner, President of Charleston Southern University (CSU). Faulkner shared photos of CSU’s newly completed Aeronautics and Engineering building, with its advanced cellular genetics lab and flight simulation lab. “We’re the only four-year collegiate aeronautics program in South Carolina,” Faulkner said. The program had 19 students in 2023 and now holds 250. Enrollment overall is at an all-time high, as well, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. Faulkner also emphasized CSU as a “Great Commission school,” saying that it is “a daily constant reminder of why we exist and why this body helps to fund us.” 

Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries Wins an EMMY

The board also heard reports from Danny Nicholson, President of Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries (CMCM). Nicholson shared updates about the continued growth efforts of CMCM through expanded facilities and trauma-informed services to provide more children a safe environment to heal from broken pasts.   

In an effort to expand their reach, CMCM created a six-part, narrative short film series, “For the Dreams of Children.” They also announced to the board exciting news—the series won a 2025 Southeast Regional EMMY in the category of Outstanding Public Service Announcement Campaign. Nicholson said, “National recognition for this film series reveals that God is at work raising up Connie Maxwell to realize its vision to become a national leader in healing and ministry for vulnerable children and families.” Recognition at this level underscores the caliber of the Baptist ministries in South Carolina—work so impactful it is being honored at the highest levels. The “For the Dreams of Children” film series can be viewed at: https://conniemaxwell.com/videos/. 

Woman’s Ministry Union’s Efforts in Missions Education

Jess Archer, Executive Director-Treasurer of South Carolina Woman’s Missionary Union (SCWMU), emphasized the importance of missions education and SCWMU’s efforts to teach people of all ages about missions. Two recent examples included Student Consultant Lauren Morris leading a mission team of students to Latvia, where they were trained on sharing the Gospel effectively.  

Additionally, eight women participated in a Women’s Christian Leadership Cohort, where they took part in discussions about biblical foundations for leadership, spiritual disciplines, and more. The cohort also partners with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to offer a tuition discount toward the GO Certificate in Women’s Missions Leadership for those who complete the cohort. Another cohort begins January 14, and registration can be found here. Archer said, “The more church members learn, pray, and support missions, the better equipped every member will be to do missions and tell people about Jesus.” 

Budget Recommendations and Transparency Updates

John Goudelocke addressed the board on behalf of the Budget Finance & Audit Committee, bringing forward recommendations for the 2026 ministry plan, including that the Cooperative Program budget be $26 million, which reduces the budget by half a million dollars. Another recommendation was for the 10×10 Plan, a 10-year funding strategy to further advance the Great Commission in seven priority areas, be expanded to add an eighth category: Evangelism and Gospel Saturation. All recommendations were passed. 

Executive Board Chair Stephen Cannon also reminded members that the Executive Director-Treasurer is held accountable through annual reviews with the Executive Advisory Team, which reports back to the board. In addition, salary allocations for the Executive Director-Treasurer are fully disclosed and available to any Executive Board member upon request, reflecting the team’s commitment to transparency and accountability. 

CFO Bryan Holley Announces Retirement

In conclusion of the meeting, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Holley announced his retirement to the board after eight years of faithful service. “It has been my honor and privilege to be CFO and serve God, our staff, and our churches in this place,” Holley said. Tony Wolfe, Executive Director-Treasurer, said, “Bryan’s tenure will long be remembered as one of attention to detail, prioritization of the mission, joyful coworkmanship, and careful determination in the ministry.” Holley’s last day as CFO will be October 31, 2025. He has agreed to help as needed in the months ahead to transition to a new CFO.  

Holley asks for prayer for this new season of life as he and his wife move closer to family. “Bryan has been a true servant leader. He led with integrity, built trust among our churches, and had a true missionary heart in his work,” Lee Clamp, AED-T, said. “SCBaptists are better because of Bryan.” 

The Executive Board is scheduled to reconvene on December 9, 2025.