Kingdom Partners
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)
Partners in Leadership
Partners in leadership develop relational environments that will facilitate the exchange of ideas, encouragement, peer support, and opportunities for growth.
- Pastoral Ministry Leader
- Student Ministry Leader
- Children Ministry Leader
- Worship/Music Ministry Leader
Partners in Discipleship
Partners in discipleship encourage and challenge churches to understand how people go from spiritual death to life. It is also necessary for believers to grow in their faith through mentoring/ discipling others in their faith journey and share their faith to those who are lost. The focus would be to gather church leaders to introduce a discipleship processes that can be reproduced in individual churches.
- Men’s Discipleship Leader
- Women’s Discipleship Leader
Partners in Missions
Partners in Church Developments utilize the wealth of resources available to revitalize existing churches and look for areas where a church plant would impact the Kingdom. This provides opportunities for churches to partner in revitalization or planting of churches, resources that will assist and encourage the day-to-day operation of the church and provides training opportunities for churches in small group Bible study, discipleship, prayer, evangelism, etc. The Church Development needs will be coordinated by the Director of Missions with the assistance of the Administrative Team and others he might enlist.
- Church Planting
- Church Revitalization
- Church Resources
Partners in Church Development
Partners in Church Developments utilize the wealth of resources available to revitalize existing churches and look for areas where a church plant would impact the Kingdom. This provides opportunities for churches to partner in revitalization or planting of churches, resources that will assist and encourage the day-to-day operation of the church and provides training opportunities for churches in small group Bible study, discipleship, prayer, evangelism, etc. The Church Development needs will be coordinated by the Director of Missions with the assistance of the Administrative Team and others he might enlist.
- Church Planting
- Church Revitalization
- Church Resources
Our Staff
John Watkins
Mission Strategist
E-Mail:
Dani Caldwell
Office Manager
E-Mail:
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 Strategist
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
