ABOUT
"Boat Church"
Santee Summer Ministry
In the 1960s, a group of Sumter families spending their summer weekends at Santee along Boyle’s Point saw the need for an informal Sunday morning worship.
The first few years the services took place in a lakeside yard but soon grew in numbers and were moved to an adjacent lot owned by Edwin Boyle. Three generations of the Boyle family graciously allowed the ministry to use their property until 2018, when the ministry purchased the property.
In 1970, a seminary student was hired to conduct the growing nondenominational services. Over the years, 14 different people have conducted the services, including the present minister, Rev. Dr. Regi Thackston, who started in 1999.
The ministry was once under the guidance of Aldersgate United Methodist Church but has been self supporting since 2003 when it was incorporated as Edwin Boyle Santee Summer Ministry. In 2020, the ministry’s name was changed to Santee Summer Ministry.
Some of the organizations “Boat Church” supports are Christian Charities, Camp Happy Days, Epworth Children’s Home, Crosswell Home for Children and Salkehatchie Summer Service.
After more than 52 years, people continue to come by car, boat and golf cart to hear God’s message in this beautiful outdoor setting.
Worship Team
Rev. Dr. Reginald Thackston
Worship Leader and Preaching
Mrs. Elaine Buddin - Keyboard Accompanist
Mr. Buck Sprott - Song Leader
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Santee Summer Ministry are charged with both physical and fiscal decisions that enable this worship. They manage the property, including the sound system and irrigation, they see that the grounds are presentable, assist docking boats, distribute worship orders, receive collection, and "break camp" until the next Sunday. They make decisions about which mission causes to support and ways to make "Boat Church" more meaningful for all that attend.
Board Chairman - Bobby Boykin
Board Secretary/Treasurer - Brittany Tindal
Board Members: Archie Stukes, Don Herlong, Joe Davis III, Tripp Boykin, David White, Don Goodson, Jack Horton, Buddy Noonan, Ed Gamble, Frankie Moore, and Stan Tindal.
Supported Christian Missions
