Gospel History Tour & Baptist History Lecture Series
A Baptist history tour of Charleston will be conducted Wednesday morning, October 14, followed by lunch and an afternoon of Baptist history lectures at Charleston Southern University. This day is designed to help us remember God’s faithfulness throughout history while considering how His work through faithful leaders and churches continues to shape the present and future
GOSPEL HISTORY TOUR
From the American Revolution to the Great Awakening, Charleston holds a distinguished place shaped by both favorable and challenging providences. Charleston Harbor tells a story of thousands of seafarers who have come and gone, leaving an enduring influence on both church and American history. Join Gospel-centered leaders as they explore the movement of God’s Kingdom and the influence of historic leaders throughout Charleston’s diverse history.
Date: Wednesday,
October 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
(tour begins promptly)
Arrival: Please arrive between 8:30–8:45 AM near First Baptist Church Charleston to allow time for parking. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
GOSPEL HISTORY TOUR LEADERS
Dr. Marshall Blalock
Pastor, First Baptist Church of Charleston — Charleston, SC
Dr. Marshall Blalock serves as pastor of First Baptist Church of Charleston, where he has faithfully led since returning to the church in 1997. A Charleston native and graduate of Furman University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and North Greenville University, Marshall brings a deep appreciation for the history, mission, and legacy of First Baptist Church and the broader Baptist tradition.
Pastor Alan Cross
Lead Pastor, Petaluma Valley Baptist Church — Petaluma, CA
Pastor Alan Cross has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years in churches across Alabama, Mississippi, and California. A graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Alan has written two books, engaged in global mission work, and continues doctoral studies focused on how local churches engage in cross-cultural ministry.
Craig Tuck
Executive Director, Charleston Baptist Association — Charleston, SC
Craig Tuck has served in pastoral ministry, church planting, and church replanting throughout Greater Charleston since 2003. As Executive Director of the Charleston Baptist Association since 2017, Craig brings decades of ministry experience and a passion for strengthening churches, cultivating gospel partnerships, and helping leaders understand the ongoing work of God throughout the Charleston region.
GOSPEL HISTORY TOUR
From the American Revolution to the Great Awakening, Charleston holds a distinguished place shaped by both favorable and challenging providences. Charleston Harbor tells a story of thousands of seafarers who have come and gone, leaving an enduring influence on both church and American history. Join Gospel-centered leaders as they explore the movement of God’s Kingdom and the influence of historic leaders throughout Charleston’s diverse history.
Date: Wednesday,
October 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
(tour begins promptly)
Arrival: Please arrive between 8:30–8:45 AM near First Baptist Church Charleston to allow time for parking. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
GOSPEL HISTORY TOUR LEADERS
Dr. Marshall Blalock
Pastor, First Baptist Church of Charleston — Charleston, SC
Pastor Alan Cross
Lead Pastor, Petaluma Valley Baptist Church — Petaluma, CA
Craig Tuck
Executive Director, Charleston Baptist Association — Charleston, SC
BAPTIST HISTORY LECTURE SERIES
Following the Gospel History Tour, join us for an afternoon of Baptist history lectures at Charleston Southern University. Each lecture will include 15 minutes of Q&A and is designed to offer both remembrance of the past and application for the present and future.
History Lecture Presenters
Dr. Anthony (Tony) Wolfe
Executive Director-Treasurer, SCBaptist — Columbia, SC
Lecture: “Confession and Cooperation in the Baptist Movement: From Charleston (1682) to Orlando (2000)”
Dr. Tony Wolfe serves as Executive Director-Treasurer of SCBaptist and brings over 25 years of ministry experience as a pastor, denominational leader, educator, and pastoral counselor. Prior to serving SCBaptist, he served as Associate Executive Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, where he worked alongside churches and ministry leaders across the state. Tony is passionate about strengthening churches, raising up leaders, and mobilizing Christ’s people for gospel mission through biblical teaching, cooperative ministry, and strategic evangelism.
JOSH POWELL
Lead Pastor, Taylors First Baptist Church — Taylors, SC
Lecture: “Baptist Beginnings at Charleston, SC”
Josh Powell has served as Lead Pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church since 2021, following previous pastoral ministry in South Carolina and Kentucky. A graduate of North Greenville University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Josh has served Southern Baptists in numerous leadership roles, including President of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and Chairman of the Board for Southern Seminary and North Greenville University.
DR. ERIC C. SMITH
Associate Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary — Louisville, KY
Lecture: “Oliver Hart: Shaper of Baptist Associationalism in the American South”
Dr. Eric Smith serves as Associate Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he joined the faculty in 2022 after several years of adjunct teaching. He has served in pastoral ministry since 2008 and brings together pastoral experience and historical scholarship to help the church understand and learn from its rich historical heritage.
Following the Gospel History Tour, join us for an afternoon of Baptist history lectures at Charleston Southern University. Each lecture will include 15 minutes of Q&A and is designed to offer both remembrance of the past and application for the present and future.
History Lecture Presenters
Dr. Anthony (Tony) Wolfe
Executive Director-Treasurer, SCBaptist — Columbia, SC
Lecture:“Confession and Cooperation in the Baptist Movement: From Charleston (1682) to Orlando (2000)”
-
Dr. Tony Wolfe serves as Executive Director-Treasurer of SCBaptist and brings over 25 years of ministry experience as a pastor, denominational leader, educator, and pastoral counselor. Prior to serving SCBaptist, he served as Associate Executive Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, where he worked alongside churches and ministry leaders across the state. Tony is passionate about strengthening churches, raising up leaders, and mobilizing Christ’s people for gospel mission through biblical teaching, cooperative ministry, and strategic evangelism.
JOSH POWELL
Lead Pastor, Taylors First Baptist Church — Taylors, SC
Lecture:“Baptist Beginnings at Charleston, SC”
-
Josh Powell has served as Lead Pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church since 2021, following previous pastoral ministry in South Carolina and Kentucky. A graduate of North Greenville University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Josh has served Southern Baptists in numerous leadership roles, including President of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and Chairman of the Board for Southern Seminary and North Greenville University.
DR. ERIC C. SMITH
Associate Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary — Louisville, KY
Lecture:“Oliver Hart: Shaper of Baptist Associationalism in the American South”
-
Dr. Eric Smith serves as Associate Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he joined the faculty in 2022 after several years of adjunct teaching. He has served in pastoral ministry since 2008 and brings together pastoral experience and historical scholarship to help the church understand and learn from its rich historical heritage.