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About Us

A Welcome from our Associational Mission Strategist -

You honor us with your visit to our website! We are one of the oldest (original 1803) and largest associations (85 churches) in the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Our goal is to be a cutting-edge ministry, that allows us to be a vital partner with our churches, and therefore help build the Kingdom of God, here and around the world."  - John Watkins


Who we are

The Saluda Baptist Association is comprised of 85 churches in greater Anderson County. We are one of 42 Associations in the state of South Carolina and are affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. We are an autonomous body, governed by the selected leadership that represent the churches who make up the association.

 

The local association is the connection of the area churches for equipping, networking, resourcing, and collaborating. In conjunction with the leadership team, the association should provide training for pastors, staff, and the members of the churches to equip them in the ministry God has called them. Networking pastors, sharing ideas, burdens, and victories strengthen the association and the community. 


The local association is a resource for administrative functions of the church such as organizational documents, budgets, facilities, etc. The association staff team serves to facilitate and support the work of the churches. 


A collaboration of pastors and churches is essential to bring the lost to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Whether coordinating regional events or planting/restarting a church, working together is key to making an impact on the darkness in our community and world.​

Our function is?

Dr. Nathan Finn from North Greenville University writes in The Baptist Association: Assisting Churches, Advancing the Gospel (p.34), “Today, associations continue to play a strategic role in Southern Baptist life. They continue to foster fraternal relationships among pastors, offering pastors a natural pathway to building friendships with like-minded ministers. Many associations continue to provide a measure of doctrinal accountability, especially when a church begins to embrace views most Baptists consider beyond the pale. . . . Church planting has remained an important associational emphasis, often partnering with state conventions and/or NAMB.”

 

The core of the association remains in the 21st Century Baptist Association. I heard a statement recently that churches begin to make the method the mission and never accomplish the mission. There comes a time when methodology needs to change, but we must never forget that our mission never changes.  There needs to be a focus on relationships between pastors and churches. Relationships will bring encouragement, collaboration, serving, and celebration.  There needs to be an environment of continuous learning and growing as pastors, leaders, and disciples. There also needs to be an emphasis on reaching the thousands of lost people in the region and around the world and how the believers that make up the churches in the association will be empowered to be on mission in their communities and around the world.

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Saluda Baptist Association of churches is a fellowship of Southern Baptist congregations who have organized as Kingdom Partners, to facilitate mutual encouragement and cooperation in fulfilling the Great Commission. 


Matthew 28:16–20      The Great Commission


Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)

Our Staff


John Watkins
​Mission Strategist
​E-Mail: 

john.watkins@saludabaptist.net

Dani Caldwell
Office Manager
​E-Mail: 

office@saludabaptist.net

Vickie McAlister
Financial Assistant

E-Mail: vivkie.mcalister@saludabaptist.net

Pam Creamer

Missions Coordinator

E-Mail: missions@saludabaptist.net

2024 Administrative Team


Partners In Leadership

Pastor Ministry Leader- Moderator/Vice Moderator

Student Ministry Leader- Donovan Brock, Neals Creek

Children Ministry Leader- Brandon Chambers, Graceview

Worship/Music Ministry Leader- Jeff Whiten, Bishop Branch

Partners in Discipleship

Discipleship Leader- Stephen Watson, Renewal

Women's Discipleship Leader- Deanna Bartlett, Graceview

Partners in Missions

Missions Education and Awareness- WMU Leader

Missions Partnerships Leader- Pam Creamer, New Prospect

Disaster Relief Leader- Randy Creamer, New Prospect

Partners in Church Development

Church Planting

Church Revitalization

Church Resources- John Watkins, Associational Mission Stratagist

General Leadership

Moderator- Dalton Fowler, Hopewell

Vice Moderator- Mark Krieger, Mount Bethel

Treasurer- Tom Cox, Concord

Trustee- Jim Barnes, Hopewell

Trustee- Bill Rigsby, North Anderson

Trustee- Randy Blank, New Prospect

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