By: Vareva Harris and Linda Pearson-Goode
On behalf of Governor Henry McMaster, S.C. State Senator Karl Allen presented The Order of the Palmetto to Rev. Dr. Oliver Thomas “O.T.” Hill, Pastor of the Beaverdam Baptist Church in Enoree, SC. This is the highest civilian award bestowed upon a South Carolina citizen. In celebration of Dr. Hill’s 40th anniversary of pastoring the Beaverdam Baptist Church, dignitaries, family, and friends gathered to celebrate his leadership and service at the Hilton Hotel in Greenville last month. Senator Allen presented Dr. Hill with a framed certificate of the Order of the Palmetto and an American flag that flew atop of the State House.
Dr. Hill’s leadership and service was highlighted through stories about the numerous outreach programs and investment in the lives of young people through the church. Through his lifelong service as a pastor and educator at Morris College, Dr. Hill’s leadership and influence are far-reaching throughout our state and nation. Dr. Hill has been honored by numerous organizations for his public service. Pastor Hill is a graduate of Morris College, Duke University, and the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He is the husband of Elaine McBride Hill and father of O.T. Hill, II, and Shanda Hill.
Mr. Kenneth Gist, Mayor of the City of Woodruff and owner of the W. J. Gist Mortuary, and Reverend David Kennedy, President of the Laurens County NAACP, were honored and presented Beaverdam Baptist Church’s Outstanding Community Citizens’ Award for being 2021 Points of Light in their communities.
Understanding the fragility of our economy, mayor Gist has focused on economic strategies with purpose and passion securing $13 million for upgrades to the sewer system, funding to renovate McKinney Park, and to expand affordable housing for working families and seniors.
Rev. Kennedy began his ministry at the age of 17 and has been a ready advocate for the oppressed and down-trodden all of his life. He has led a campaign against drugs and drug pushers in Laurens. He took on the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. He protested against the World Famous Klan Museum known as the Redneck Shop located in the former Echo Theater in Laurens. Because of his experience with a former Klan member, Michael Burden, Rev. Kennedy was an integral part of the movie, “Burden,” where the renowned and award-winning actor Forest Whitaker portrayed the character of David Kennedy. He purchased the former Redneck Shop Building and is now renovating it as the Echo Project.
He is the founder and pastor of the New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church in Laurens. His outreach ministries focus on “the least of these.” His church formed and operates the Laurens County Soup Kitchen, “I Can Learn” afterschool Tutorial Program, and the Summer Camp Program for grades K-3 – 8th.
Pastor Hill, Mayor Gist, and Rev. Kennedy are three examples of men leading through community service. We are blessed to have many leaders in the community, but there is still room for more.
Author: Tracy Sanders
