Freedom School Turns Summer Break Into A Reading Habit

The King Summit Preview

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/fan_mail/new] You can feel it when a community moment is bigger than a flyer. Josiellia Williams sits down with Bishop Michael Blue for a special Native Drums conversation that starts with a full preview of CCFM’s King Summit at the Florence Center in Florence, South Carolina, then goes deeper into what churches actually need to navigate right now. We walk through the schedule, the worship nights, the morning glory gatherings, and why bringing influential voices into the region can strengthen what local pastors and leaders already pour into their people. We also spend real time on the practical breakout sessions that make this event more than a service. Mental health support, worship and arts, media training, financial legacy building, and especially church security take center stage. Bishop Blue explains why “Who’s watching while we’re praying?” is not a slogan but a necessary question in a world that has shifted, and why best practices matter so safety stays wise, calm, and intentional. Then the conversation turns to youth in the church after COVID, and it gets honest. We talk about being deliberate, creating communities young people want to return to, and helping them build a faith that can think as well as believe through apologetics and open dialogue. If you care about church leadership, community empowerment, and youth ministry that lasts, this one will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend in ministry, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/support]

138 Years Of Faith In Action

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/fan_mail/new] 138 years is not a slogan, it’s proof of a mission that keeps showing up. From Savannah Grove Baptist Church, we talk with Mrs. Mary Alice Graham, president of the Women’s Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, and Dr. Sarah Simmons, second vice president, about how this statewide women’s ministry keeps Christian education and missionary work alive across generations. We get into the real mechanics of the convention: the history of leadership, what it takes to host thousands of women, and how the three departments create a pipeline from youth (up to 17), to Young Women’s Auxiliary (18 to 45), to senior women (45 and up). You’ll hear stories that feel joyful and practical, from youth-led worship and performances to traditions like corsages, district colors, and the energy that comes when the room is full. We also dig into impact you can measure. The convention supports HBCUs in South Carolina, including Morris College and Benedict College, with scholarship opportunities and major contributions. Then we shift to a powerful community health focus: mental health training through Hold Out the Lifeline, including a free class that can certify participants for three years and equip churches to recognize needs and respond with care. Add in women in ministry, scholarship fundraising like the Rainbow Tea, and a canned-goods service project that leaves help behind in every host community, and you’ve got a blueprint for faith in action. If you care about church leadership, women’s ministry, youth development, HBCU scholarships, and mental health resources for congregations, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find Native Drums. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/support]

A Clear Guide To The South Carolina Baptist Women’s Annual Session

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/fan_mail/new] A big church week can feel confusing fast, so we brought in the perfect guide: our sister Antoinette “Sister Toni” Muldrow, longtime leader in Baptist women’s work across South Carolina. She helps us map out what’s happening day by day as the Women’s Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina convenes at Savannah Grove Baptist Church in Effingham, just outside Florence, SC. If you’ve been searching for a clear schedule and a warm invitation to a meaningful South Carolina church conference, this conversation keeps it simple and practical. We talk through the 130th annual session from the first registration hour to the final benediction. Monday includes registration and a powerful welcome night featuring guest speaker Lithonia Barnes, mayor of the city of Florence, plus the debut of the Region 6 Women’s Choir. Tuesday brings youth focus and fellowship, a Women in Ministry service, and a unity program led by Kippy Brown, with a community-wide request to wear red (and blue on Monday). Wednesday spotlights YWA fellowship, the president’s annual address, and a Spiritual Life Ministry service where each district represents with color, including District 6 showing up in purple. We also get into the details that make the week feel like home: food trucks on campus so folks can stay close, vendors traveling in from multiple states, college displays, and yes, the popular sparkly sneakers. The invitation stays wide open: you don’t have to be Baptist, and it’s not just for women, men and youth are welcome to come worship, learn, and connect. Listen, share this with someone who needs community, and then subscribe and leave a review so more people can find Native Drums and join us for what’s happening at Savannah Grove. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/support]

Freedom School Turns Summer Break Into A Reading Habit

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/fan_mail/new] Summer break can quietly undo months of progress, especially when kids lose daily reading practice. We sit down with Dr. Fraronda Green, executive director of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School at Savannah Grove Baptist Church, to talk about a summer literacy program designed to fight summer reading loss while building pride, confidence, and community. Dr. Green connects the program’s purpose to the legacy of Freedom Summer, reminding us that literacy has always been about voice, access, and possibility.  We get specific about what families want to know: what a typical day actually looks like. Dr. Green breaks down Harambe (“let’s pull together”), the high-energy morning gathering filled with chants, music, and movement that helps scholars start the day connected. From there, the program moves into integrated reading, where students work through structured curriculum with discussion, questions, and hands-on activities that make books feel alive. We also talk enrichment, from art and singing to photography, and why creative exposure supports academic growth, not distracts from it.  A standout feature is mentorship. Servant leader interns, current college students, help lead reading and activities, creating a real intergenerational pipeline of encouragement. We also share key logistics: Freedom School runs June 15 through July 17, with limited spots remaining for rising 6th through 8th graders, plus how to apply through the church office and social media. If you care about youth development, reading motivation, and practical community-based education, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a parent, and leave us a review. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/support]

You Only Need One Photo ID To Vote

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/fan_mail/new] Voting gets complicated the moment bad info hits the group chat. So we brought in Delcinia Murchison, a retired postmaster and experienced elections worker, to give clear, practical guidance that helps you walk into the polls confident, calm, and prepared. We start with the question we keep hearing: “How many IDs do I need to vote?” Delcinia lays it out plainly for South Carolina voting rules. You only need one photo ID, and she explains which ones count, including a driver’s license, passport, military ID, concealed weapons permit, or a voter registration photo ID card. We also clear up the confusion around the mailed voter registration card (often described as the little blue card). It’s useful for your precinct and districts, but it’s not enough to vote without a photo ID. Then we move to the best tool for cutting through rumors: scvotes.gov. We talk about how to check your voter registration, confirm your address and precinct, view your voting history, find candidate information, and pull up a personalized sample ballot you can print and bring with you. We also go over early voting dates and hours, plus where to vote early, so you can make a plan that fits your schedule. If this helped you, share it with one person who has questions, subscribe for more community conversations, and leave a quick review so more voters can find accurate South Carolina election info. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2442306/support]