On Sunday afternoon, October 12, 2025, at 4:00p.m., the One Hundred and Twenty-First Annual Session of the Black River Missionary Baptist Association convened at the Mt. Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 5918 SC 260, Manning, South Carolina, Dr. Tyrone Cummings, Host Pastor. The week long session concluded Friday night, October 17, 2025.
The Moderator, Rev. Ranzy McFadden, Jr., Rev. Victor Scott, Vice-Moderator, Rev. Edward L. Sanders, Executive Board Chairman, Pastors, Parent Body Officers, congregations and friends gathered from eight churches to Worship, fellowship and give praises to God for His many blessings bestowed upon this gathering for the past One Hundred and Twenty-One years. Our forefathers established this branch of Zion in 1904 that we might give praises to God, provide Christian Education so that we will learn of Him, and to financially support local black colleges for our generations to receive a degree of higher learning.
Black River is a stout supporter of Morris College which was established in 1908 by the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina. Black River also supports Benedict College. Our mission has not changed, we are still committed to Christian Education. We are to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15 KJV
Our session began with uplifted spirits. Those in attendance were just thrilled that we were able to come together to Worship The Most High in Spirit and in Truth. Rev. Ranzy McFadden, Moderator opened the session by giving thanks to God for being able to assemble at this Bethel spot. Following the Processional, the opening song “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” was sung with uplifting voices by Mt. Chapel Choir. The scripture was read from John 1:1-10 by Rev. Victor Scott, Vice Moderator followed by a soul stirring prayer from Dr. Ethel Lemon. Memorial Services for the ones transitioned since our last annual session were conducted by Sister Margaree P. Simon, Sister Mary H. Wilder and Sister Annie Gamble. Pledges to the Bible, Christian and American Flags were recited. Dr. Tyrone Cummings, Host Pastor embraced the congregation enthusiastically with beautiful words of greetings which made everyone felt at home. Thus, the atmosphere was set for a week of awesome worship services to uplift, mend broken spirits, and set the captives free.
This year’s theme was “In the Beginning” and the Thematic Scripture came from the Gospel of John 1:1. During the week’s session, those in attendance heard Ministry Presidents gave accounts of their stewardship for the year and inspirational, informative, encouraging addresses. During the week, a Pastor delivered a message from the week’s Theme and Thematic scripture.
Thursday evening during the educational segment, the body was graced to have Dr. James Blassingame, past President of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, a graduate of Morris College who now serves as Church Relations Officers at the college gave an update. He stressed the importance of getting a good education and Morris College is our very own who meets the students where they are. “Morris is accredited and we are progressing under the leadership of our President Dr. Said Sewell. Thank you Black River for your financial support!” Dr. Shirley Gamble Interim Superintendent of Sumter School District gave an update for district. “We need to partnership with the community. We’re trying to close gaps. We need bus drivers, hall monitors, help in preparing snacks, and pray for us to keep our children safe. Thank you for this time Black River!” The President of the Baptist Education and Missionary Convention of South Carolina is Dr. Jamey O Graham, Sr. We were blessed to have Rev. Dr. James E. Dukes, Vice President for Region II (Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Lee, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter Counties) hailed us from Augusta, GA to give an update. “The convention is alive and well. We have a record number of new pastors and churches. We want to serve from the least to the greatest.
Our Mid-Winter session will be held Jan. 6-7, 2026 at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 502 S. Daniel Morgan Avenue, Spartanburg, SC 29306, Rev. Dr. M. Keith McDaniel, Sr., Host Pastor. Thank you Black River for your financial support and we look forward to seeing you at the Mid-Winter Session.”
At the close of the session Friday evening, Moderator McFadden said, “We have been praying, and the Lord has blessed. We thank the Pastors who delivered a Word from the Lord and the Ministers and Minister’s wives from Sunday afternoon through the Jr. Missionary Ministry Friday night. I am thankful for all Moderators, all Pastors, our Executive Board Chairman, Rev. Sanders, our musician, Deacon Dr. Lemon, all visiting musicians and to all of you for coming and being with us this week. I’m overwhelmed with joy, thank You! We look forward to seeing all of you on October 25th at the Educational Scholarship Banquet.”
22nd Black River Educational Scholarship Banquet
The Black River Twenty-Second Annual Educational Scholarship Banquet was held October 25, 2025 at the Manning Jr. High School, Manning, SC. The Jr. Missionary Queen and Court with Escorts joined the Parent Body Officers, Keynote Speaker, Banquet Participants and Ministry Presidents in the processional prior to the program. The Keynote Speaker was Rev. Sam Livingston, Pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Manning, SC and Moderator of the Sumter Baptist M & E Association. It was a Spirited, blessed occasion with a Word from the Lord Amos 3:1-3 “Prove the Doubters Wrong”. Melodious renditions of songs were rendered from guest soloist Dr. Brenda C. Clark and Ms. Jarquita Lawson accompanied by Mr. Jerry Lloyd. Ms. Diane Blanding and staff catered our delightful meal and the fellowship was simply awesome! Special thanks to everyone who contributed to such an unforgettable evening of eloquence.
Moderator McFadden and the Scholarship Committee Chairlady Deaconess Eva R. Gaters were elated to present a scholarship in the amount of $1,500.00 to Ms. Kendreana Raylena Reuben who attends the University of South Carolina (Sumter Campus). She graduated from Lakewood High School with a GPA of 3.993 and ranked number 34 out of a class of 211 graduates. She hails us from the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where Board Chairman Rev. E. L. Sander is the efficient Pastor. She attends Sunday School, and she serves with the following ministries at the church: junior usher, junior missionary, circle of sisters, combined choir, young children’s choir, as well as assisting the culinary staff. Before the pandemic, yearly she attended the South Carolina District Congress of Christian Education youth classes and sang with the youth choir. Since then, she has attended one session and attended a workshop on bullying. She earned numerous awards throughout her high school years to include, Lakewood High Distinguished Ambassador, Student Leader, Four year Honor Roll recipient, Future Business Leaders of America, Honor Chorale and Gospel Choir member four years, and Teacher Cadet Program. She was a dual enrolled College student with Central Carolina Technical College, where she earned a total of 12 college credits while still in high school. She is a 2025 graduate of Lakewood High School. Just as electrifying on the courts as she was in the classroom, she was a three time athlete participating in Varsity Basketball, Volleyball and track and field. She has been very active with the Pinewood Activity League for the past two years. She has volunteer a total of 98 service hours with this organization which contributed much to the success of the activities rendered. Kendreana is the daughter of Sis. Cherisa Wilder and Mr. Raymond Reuben, Jr. Granddaughter of Sis. Mary H. Wilder and the bonus granddaughter of Deacon Michael and Deaconess Virginia Conyers. A sibling she adores Little Miss Skylar; who loves following her big sister. She is currently attending USC in Sumter majoring in Business Engineering.
This event culminates all events for 2025. Special thanks to everyone involved to make this session a Spiritual uplifting, joyous, momentum one that will always be remembered as we continue to spread the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
