06/01/2026
🎶 This month's Behind The Blessing, Hands That Serve Hearts That Shine Volunteer Spotlight: The Dynamic Drumming Duo – Bongo Bill & Tom Odare 🥁🎶
We are shining the spotlight on two men who truly are the heartbeat (or should we say heart “beat” 🥁😉) of our praise team — Bongo Bill and Tom Odare!
From the very beginning, Bongo Bill has been part of the foundation of our worship team. Before Tom joined shortly after our church started, the praise team was lovingly known as “Bongo Bill and the Babes”— and honestly, we still smile thinking about it. 😆
Together with Larry and Andrew, they complete our formidable drum line — keeping the rhythm, energy, and heartbeat of worship going week after week. We are so thankful for the gifts each of them brings to the team! 🥁
While we absolutely love when Bongo Bill hops on the full drum set, let’s be honest… he SHINES on the bongos. There’s just something special about the joy he brings when he plays. His love for worship is contagious (and if we’re being real… a little distracting because everybody ends up watching him! 😂). His smile lights up the room, and his joy for Jesus is impossible to miss.
And if you know Bill, you know there’s one song that especially lights him up — "Friend of God.” The joy on his face when that song comes on says it all. It’s more than a favorite song for him… it’s something he truly lives out, walking daily in his faith and love for the Lord. ❤️
Bongo Bill fully devoted his life to Christ later in life, but when we say fully devoted, we mean it. He is a faithful giver, loves every person he meets, and serves our community as a police officer with a servant’s heart. One thing that stands out most? His love for the children in our church. If you know Bill, you know his kindness is genuine and his joy is constant.
Then there’s Tom— dependable, talented, and such a vital part of our team. Tom joined us shortly after the beginning and has faithfully helped lead worship ever since. He played for Clemson and is part of the Clemson Alumni Band, often still performing with them. And since Pastor John is also a Clemson fan, we’re beginning to suspect being a Clemson fan might earn you a few extra jewels in your crown around here 😜🐅
Tom has also helped shine a light on our church beyond Sunday mornings through his writing with local publications including MyHorryNews, MB Herald, Carolina Forest Chronicle, and Horry Independent, helping share what our church family means to one another and bringing community spotlight to what God is doing here.
One thing we especially appreciate about Tom is his encouragement of the next generation. He has been so supportive in allowing Andrew opportunities to drum and grow in his gift, and that kind of encouragement matters more than words can say.
And yes… we’d be remiss not to mention Tom’s very consistent request to play “God’s Not Dead” approximately every other week. 😆
These two don’t just show up — they show out in everything they do. Through every beat, every practice, every Sunday morning, and every moment behind the scenes, they help create an atmosphere of worship that blesses us all.
We love and appreciate you both more than words can say. Thank you for being faithful, joyful, dependable, and for helping lead our church in worship from the very beginning. ❤️🥁
And while it may not be Pastor John's favorite, it is a FAN favorite, we think it is time for Bongo Bill to pull out the washboard for "I'll Fly Away." Comment washboard if you agree. 🤭
