Who We Are

Our Mission...

To draw our churches together to lead others to know Christ, grow in His likeness, and to go and reach the world.

Our Strategy: To link our churches and leaders through fellowship and support. Our pastors and leaders strive to know one another, and to pray for one another. As iron sharpens iron, so we sharpen one another. Where one is weak, another is strong. Our combined efforts provide a base for serving together. The following disciplines are part of our strategy:

Discipleship: We have the resources to strengthen our knowing Christ and His word. We provide training for pastors and congregations

Worship: Our association works to plan times of worship together at two Annual Meetings. Churches who worship together share a bond as members of the Body of Christ. Our annual meetings are centered around worship. It keeps our eyes on the mission!

Bible Study: We promote Bible Study as we help our churches become aware of the curriculum available through Baptist publishing agencies. We provide references to Bible Study resources and tools. This year we are asking each congregation to pray for each other... for our missionaries, our pastors, for opportunities to share Christ in our communities, our schools/colleges, and our witness!
Fellowship: OCBA has a unique fellowship of people. Throughout the year we hold special events just for fellowship among our people. Our pastors enjoy breakfast or lunch opportunities on a monthly basis. There are golf tournaments/outings, an annual Christmas dinner, and retreats designed to increase camaraderie. Our DOM connects with leadership throughout the year to strengthen the bonds of serving together.
Evangelism: With the ever present calling to go and make disciples, OCBA is committed to providing training for evangelism. These events are posted on our calendar as they are scheduled. Our goal is to make sure that our folks are equipped to share Christ with a lost and dying world.
Missions: Our mission efforts are centered on providing ministry to areas of our community where we can share Christ through feeding the hungry, providing a clothing distribution, sending prisoner packets, sharing literature, building ramps, sending teams throughout the year to places like West Virginia, Peru, Dominican Republic, etc.

Church Revitalization: Churches need to remain vibrant. The OCBA works with churches who are struggling so as to reignite the fires and passions for being Great Commission churches. Contact our office or our DOM/AMS directly at 803-860-1559 (cell) to schedule a time to explore this process.
10 Commitments of Revitalization:
1. Commit to personal growth. Personal growth is a two sided process. First, there is the inward growth, knowing your relationship with the Father, studying His Word, and applying it to your life. Second, there is the expression of that growth through obedience and serving.
2. Commit to learn your community. The natural progression above is to understand those to whom you are to take the Gospel. Learn the condition, the needs, the opportunities. Learn by engaging them in conversation and start building relationships.
3. Commit to Spirit led worship. Worship is essential to fresh encounters with the Father. Jesus set the example by spending time with the Father, praying, submitting, and following Him. Worship elevates the Father and His Son. This prepares you to become what He has designed you to be. Churches who bring their worship to God, are stronger than those who build around performance.
4. Commit to engaging ministries. Engaging ministries engage people from all walks of life. Engaging ministries equip people for living and navigating life through the lens of the Gospel. Engaging ministries can be programs, but are most effective as personal connections.
5. Commit to sending mission teams. Mission teams can be sent into neighborhoods, towns/cities, in state, out of state, even overseas. The outgrowth of mission teams is the enthusiasm and understanding that returns with them as inspiration to the local congregation. The great growth of mission teams is in the lives that are receiving the Gospel through those team.
6. Commit to stewardship. The question before every church and church member is "How do I best support the ministry to which I am committed?" The tithes to the ministry provide for resources.
7. Commit to regular fellowship. Everyone needs encouragement of likeminded Believers. This is an outgrowth and demonstration of love. Fellowship with Believers is safe and secure. It is encouraging and strengthening. It provides for accountability. It nurtures in times of need.
8. Commit to evangelism. Boldly going and taking the Gospel to the lost people you know is intentional. You have to know that if you don't go, they will never hear. Evangelism is portable. It can go anywhere, anytime. You can share your experience, testimony, and reality. Share the Gospel. Share God's promises and provision. Be faithful and purposeful.
9. Commit to organizing for unity. Organizing for unity begins with a clear mission, and a clear method for pursuing that mission. The methods include structure. What structures best enable the mission to move forward?
10. Commitment to prayer. None of the above will have longevity without the undergoing of prayer by the people. Prayer reveals mission. Prayer reveals conviction. Prayer reveals plans. Prayer includes listening and hearing what the Spirit has to say to you. Prayer is drawing close to the Father to draw from Him what honors Him the most. Prayer inspires.

I want to help our churches to strengthen our impact for the Gospel. I would love to help you develop these commitments to revitalize your church.

Jennifer Banks

Jennifer began as Ministry Assistant in February 2012. She is a member of Branchville Christian Church and serves as their Office Manager. She is also Treasurer for Camp Edisto. 

Jennifer and her husband, Brett, have two children.

Dr. C. Clark McCrary, III

Dr. Clark is our new Association Missions Strategist / Director of Missions.  Clark and his wife, Allison, have been married for forty-two years. They have four children and eight grandchildren.