PREAMBLE

The Free Will Baptist Home for Children Incorporated of the South Carolina State Association of the Original Free Will Baptists, Incorporated do hereby adopt this Constitution and Bylaws to govern it activities in the care of children.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The Home for Children Incorporated of the South Carolina State Association of Original Free Will Baptists, Incorporated by virtue of the original deed and title is owned by the South Carolina State Association and is a subsidiary of the South Carolina State Association of Original Free Will Baptists Incorporated. The Home for Children shall operate under the Charter of the State of South Carolina and will ever be governed by the Constitution and Bylaws adopted by the South Carolina State Association of Original Free Will Baptists Incorporated. Therefore, the Home for Children is governed and controlled by the State Association.
Return to Top

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

1. To offer a home for children in need and those who have been forsaken by society.
2. To help develop children intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially into responsible Christian men and women.
3. To provide a safe haven of love, compassion, discipline, and learning for children in need.
4. To provide a Christian alternative to children in need.
Return to Top

ARTICLE III – STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT

SECTION 1 – STATEMENT OF FAITH

(A) God. We believe that there is only one true and living God Who is personally the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, equal and harmonious in every divine perfection. There is one living and true God, revealed in nature as the Creator, Preserver, and Righteous Governor of the universe; and in the Scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; yet as one God, infinitely wise and good, whom all intelligent creatures are to love, adore, and obey supremely. “There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom fore all, to be testified in due time” (I Timothy 2:5-6).
(B) The Bible. We believe that God is the author of the Holy Bible, and its teachings constitute the only infallible doctrine of the government of His church. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament was given by inspiration of God and are our infallible rule of faith and practice.
(C) Christ. We believe that Christ is God manifest in the flesh in His divine nature truly God, in human nature truly man. The mediator between God and man, once crucified, He is now risen and glorified and is our ever-present Savior and Lord.
(D) The Holy Spirit. We believe that the Scriptures assign to the Holy Spirit all the attributes of God.
(E) The Government of God. We believe that God exercises a wise and benevolent providence over all beings and things by maintaining the constitution and laws of nature. He also performs special acts, not otherwise provided for, as the highest welfare of men requires.
(F) The Sinfulness of Man. We believe that man was created innocent but by disobedience fell into a state of sin and condemnation. His posterity, therefore, inherits a fallen nature of such tendencies that, all who come to years of accountability, sin and become guilty before God.

(G) The Work of Christ. We believe that the Son of God by His incarnation, life, sufferings, death and resurrection affected for all redemption for sin that is full and free and is the ground of salvation by faith.
(H) The Terms of Salvation. We believe that the conditions of salvation are: (a) Repentance or sincere sorrow for sin and hearty renunciation of it. (b) Faith or the unreserved committal of one’s self to Christ as Savior and Lord with purpose to love and obey Him in all things. In the exercise of saving faith, the soul is renewed by the Holy Spirit, freed from the dominion of sin, and becomes a child of God. (c) Continuance in faith and obedience until death.
(I) Free Grace. We believe the grace of God comprehends all spiritual blessings, that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, that the Holy Spirit not only reproves the world of sin, but is the means whereby sinners are converted and made wise unto salvation. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him,” (Romans 10:12).
(J) Free Agency/Election. We believe that the human will is free and that men have ability to accept or reject the conditions of salvation as they are revealed in the Holy Scripture. Romans 6:16: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” We believe that God determined from the beginning to save all who should comply with the conditions of salvation. Hence, by faith in Christ, men become His elect.
(K) Freedom of the Will. We believe that the human will is free and self-controlled having power to yield to the influence of the truth and the Spirit or to resist them and perish.
(L) Christian Faith. We believe that Christian faith is the belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Redeemer of the world and the divinity of the Holy Scripture that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
(M) Original Apostasy. We believe that Adam was created holy but by voluntary transgression fell into depravity and consequently involved his posterity in sin. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make on wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).
(N) Perseverance. We believe that all believers in Christ, who through grace persevere in holiness to the end of life, have the promise of eternal salvation.

(O) Gospel Ordinances. We believe in the ordinances of:
(1) Christian Baptism. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that baptism cannot be scripturally administered without faith in the subject who receives it. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
(2) The Lord’s Supper. We believe the supper was instituted by our Savior as a commemorative ordinance, that it was instituted for Christians and that all Christians should unite in sacred services regardless of name or denomination. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body (I Corinthians 11:28-29).
(3) Feet Washing. We believe that washing of the saints’ feet was a command of our Saviour and that His followers ought to practice the same. We urge the pastors of our churches to encourage the practical obedience of this command, especially among members of our churches. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one anther’s feet” (John 13:14).
(P) Good Works. We believe that good works are the results of faith and not necessity, that those who have faith will do works of righteousness while those who have not faith cannot do anything pleasing or acceptable unto God. “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruit ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:19-20).
(Q) Tithing. We believe that God commanded tithes and offerings in the Old Testament; Jesus endorsed it in the Gospel (Matthew 23:23); and the apostle Paul said, “Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” (I Corinthians 16:2). Both the Old and the New Scriptures teach tithing as God’s financial plan for the support of His work. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor.16: 2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I John 3:17).

(R) The Christian Sabbath. We believe that the divine law requires that one day in seven be set apart from secular employments and amusements for rest, worship, holy works and activities, and personal communion with God.

(S) Resurrection, Judgment, and Final Retribution. We believe that the Scriptures teach that the resurrection of all men at the last day. They that have trusted Christ as their Savior will come forth to the resurrection of life, and they that have rejected Christ into the resurrection of damnation; then the wicked will “go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

(T) The Church.
The Local Church
1. We believe that the local congregation of believers is the only visible form of the “church” founded by the direct authority of Scripture. Free Will Baptists, therefore, recognize the local church as the sole source of authority possessed and exercised within the visible church.
2. We believe that the local church is an independent and self-governing body, with full authority to transact its business, choose its pastor and officers, receive, discipline, and dismiss members, hold free title to all its properties and conduct all its internal affairs.
(U) The Second Advent of Christ. We believe in that “blessed hope,” the personal, Imminent return of Christ Who will rapture His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to nation of Israel (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10; I Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19-11-16; 20:1-6).
(V) The Gospel. We believe it to be the duty of all churches to support the Gospel. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:14).

(W) Civil Government. We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of four basic institutions: (1) the home; (2) the church; (3) the state and; (4) employment. Every person is subject to these authorities. but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balance.

(X) Human Sexuality.
1. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, metro sexuality, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. Any employee of the Home for Children Incorporated of the South Carolina State Association of Original Free Will Baptist Churches becoming pregnant or causing pregnancy as a result of consensual intercourse, outside of the marriage relationship, shall be terminated their employment. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).
2. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23).

(Y) Family Relationships
1. We believe that men and women are equal in position before God that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; I Tim.2: 8-15; 3:4-5, 12).
2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love the wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including scriptural corporal correction. (Gen.1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7).

(Z) Separation
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God commands His people to separate from all apostasy, and all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from immodest and immoderate appearances. (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; Lev. 19:28; I Cor. 6:19-20).

(AA) Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorce and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service at the South Carolina Home for Children and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for Director, Assistant Director, Promotional, Dorm Parents, and Representational positions. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).
(BB) Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).

(CC) Missions. We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20).

(DD) Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possess all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).
Return to Top

ARTICLE IV – COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD

The board shall consist of one member from each association with a total of no less than seven (7) members. In the event of less than seven associations within the State Association, the State Association shall determine the procedures for the election of required members. All Board members must be members in good standing with their respective churches and associations. They shall be elected to serve a seven year term each. Board members may not serve more than two consecutive terms unless approved by the State Association.
Return to Top

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF THE BOARD
1. The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for the management and control of the Home for Children. The Board of Trustees shall develop and maintain a Policy and Procedure Manuel to describe the principle, regulations, procedures, and rules of the Home for Children.
2. The Board of Trustees shall elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and any other officer(s) deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Home.
3. The Board of Trustees shall meet quarterly at a time specified by the Chairman to conduct required and needed business for the operation of the Home. The Chairman has the authority to call special meetings as he deems necessary. Two Board members and/or may request of the Chairman a called special meeting.
4. The Board of Trustees shall have the power to adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations as may be necessary to properly and legally carry out its objectives. They may also alter, amend, or rescind such bylaws by a vote of a majority of Trustees. Any changes offered shall be in compliance with the South Carolina State Association of Original Free Will Baptists Incorporated Constitution and Bylaws.
5. A majority of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
6. The Board of Trustees shall elect a Director and other officers as necessary to operate the Home for Children efficiently. Each officer shall serve at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. All Board members, officers, and employees will be given a Policy and Procedure Manual and will be required to read, understand, and abide by the manual.
7. The Board of Trustees shall have the power to remove any of their number for improper conduct provided the accused is given a written thirty day notice of stated charges and the procedure that will be followed. All of the Biblical steps must be followed. A two-thirds majority vote is required.
8. Expenses incurred in relation to the function of this board and operation of the Home for Children shall be paid from the Home’s treasury. Mileage allowance cannot exceed the State Association’s approved rate and is payable only to the person who incurred the expense.
Return to Top

ARTICLE VI – FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The financial support will come from Free Will Baptist Churches, regular and quarterly support, individuals, corporations or businesses, special appeals and projects, and legitimate sources within and outside the State of South Carolina.
Return to Top

ARTICLE VII –PROPERTY
The Boards of Trustees shall be authorized to purchase, hold title to, and dispose of all real property of the Home for Children with the approval of the State Association when in session.
Return to Top