GREENWOOD, S.C. (AP) - Retired West Side Baptist Church pastor Hal Lane recently received the Order of the Palmetto.
“Pastors deserve our thanks,” said state Rep. John McCravy, who presented the award. “They are there at the worst times for us.”
McCravy described Lane as “a pastor of pastors.”
Lane, who was the pastor at West Side for 29 years, spent more than 40 years in the ministry.
“He led this church for 29 years,” McCravy said. “Brought it to a better location.”
Lane was vice president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention from 1999-2000 before serving as president of the association from 2003-2004.
He served on the board for the Greenwood Crisis Pregnancy Center, now known as Crossroads Pregnancy Center, and served as president of the Abbeville Baptist Association, now known as the Lakelands Baptist Association.
“You’ve lived a long time, everything has changed names,” McCravy said jokingly.
Lane graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Carolina in 1974 and a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1978.
“I’m honored today to present this award on behalf of the governor to Rev. Hal Lane,” McCravy said.
The attendees of the award presentation gave a standing ovation to Lane.
West Side Baptist Church’s lead pastor, Kyle Richter, said he talked to McCravy about honoring Lane over a round of golf last year. Richter said he went back to his office and wrote a letter to Gov. Henry McMaster.
“Kyle and I and some others recommend him for the Order of the Palmetto,” McCravy said.
The Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian award for service in the state. McCravy said the process is strict and an independent nonpartisan board reviews the application. He said McMaster reviews the recommendations in detail.
Lane thanked a number of people for the award, including McMaster.
“I want to thank him for this award and for his leadership and his courageous stand on many issues,” Lane said.
Lane spoke about the separation of church and state.
He said he believes the founding fathers didn’t intend for the church not to have an impact on the state but rather the state not have an effect on the church. He thanked McCravy for his representation in the statehouse.
Lane said he shares the honor with many people in attendance.
“I share this honor with you,” Lane said. “I could not have done it without you, thank you.”
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