An Upstate pastor announced he is retiring. Ralph Carter, the pastor at Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Taylors, made the announcement Sunday. “I can’t begin to thank the sweet people of Brushy Creek Baptist Church enough for the 25 years you have allowed me to be your pastor. You have become nothing short of family to me and Regina, and we love you more than you will ever know. I could not have been pastor of a more loving, giving people. Selfishly, I would like to remain your pastor for years to come. But after nearly 25 years, I recognize the time has come to turn the reigns of leadership over to another. I will step aside as your pastor on the last day of February 2017," Carter said. Carter also served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 2013 and sat as trustee at Anderson University and North Greenville University. Carter said he will step down in February. “I hope I will receive invitations to preach, encourage some younger pastors, and possibly even be an interim pastor at some point in the future. For right now, I plan to spend more time with Scout (Carter’s only grandchild) and take a few trips that I didn’t have time to take earlier in life," Carter said.