Letters of Commendation

Bethany Baptist Church
134 Bethany Circle
Fountain Inn, SC 29644
864-409-2083

October 15, 2020
To our Friends in Christ,
We are writing on behalf of Pastor Danny Burnley of Church Revitalization Consulting. Pastor Burnley started serving at Bethany in March 2020 as the Interim Pastor as well as being the church's consultant and advisor.
When Pastor Burnley first met with the Leadership Team, it was clear that we were a good fit for each other. He enjoys helping churches, and we needed help in numerous areas. While the church’s core was strong, we struggled with a forward moving vision. Our greatest accomplishment while Pastor Burnley was the Interim Pastor was that we adopted the ACTS (A Church That Serves) Ministry. This has focused our vision to SERVE, the largest example is that we filled every position in our church (except a church photographer) simply by allowing people to sign up to SERVE and use their talents for the Lord.

The church hired a new Pastor in mid-September. Pastor Burnley continues in his consulting capacity. Pastor Burnley is not the type to force his ideas and thoughts, but simply gives them and allows the Leadership Team to decide whether to adopt them or not.
We hope that if your church is in need of revitalization, that you will pray about Pastor Burnley with Church Revitalization Consulting helping you Rebuild the Walls Spiritually, Materially, and Financially with God's help!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at (864) 409-2083.

Robert Cato, Pastor
Robert Baldwin, Chairman of Deacons
Justin Nelson, Vice-Chairman of Deacons
Doug Owens, Deacon
Curtis Cooper, Deacon
Bill Lee, Deacon
David Night, Deacon





CALVARY FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
DISCOVER VICTORY THROUGH CALVARY

11 TAMPA ST, GREENVILLE SC 29609
864.271-4080

March 15, 2023

To Our Friends in Christ,
We are writing on behalf of Pastor Danny Burnley of Church Revitalization Consulting. Pastor Burnley began serving at Calvary First Baptist on May 16, 2021, as our revitalization pastor.
Our Leadership Ministry team was introduced to Dr. Burnley through a Covenant relationship we have with Rock Springs Baptist Church. It was obvious from the beginning that Dr. Burnley has a deep-seated passion for helping struggling churches regain their focus and vigor for the work God has called them to do. He leads with the confidence of years of experience in helping many churches with different issues yet never does so by being demanding.
Through Dr. Burnley's constant enthusiasm and encouragement our church began to see new life. A vision was cast to dig our church out of a ministry-choking debt. God began to bless that effort and by His Grace we were not only able to pay off right at a $150,000.00 of debt but also replace three large HVAC units and upgrade our sound system control board. In January of 2023 we called Pastor Caleb Durham as our pastor and Calvary First continues to grow stronger in what God has called us to do as a church, "Be the hands and feet”!
If this letter finds your church in need of God-centered revitalization, we encourage you to pray about and reach out to Dr. Burnley and his Church Revitalization Consulting ministry.
Should you have any questions don't hesitate to give us a call at (864)-271-4080.


Richard Drew
Leadership Team Member

Jerry Turner
Leadership Team Member

Pam Padgett
Leadership Team Member

Chris Roberts
Leadership Team Member

Tommy Ross
Leadership Team Member





CORINTH BAPTIST CHURCH
515 EAST CHURCH ROAD
EASLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA 29642
SWEETWATER BAPTIST CHURCH
1606 WRENS HWY.
THOMPSON, GA 30824
HELLO: I WILL INTRODUCE MYSELF. I AM JAMES MARTIN, A MEMBER OF CORINTH BAPTIST CHURCH IN EASLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA. I AM A CHRISTIAN LAYMAN AND DEACON IN OUR CHURCH. I AM 79 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN SAVED AND A MEMBER OF CORINTH BAPTIST SINCE I WAS FOURTEEN YEARS OLD.

OUR CHURCH HAS. BEEN STRUGGLING IN MEMBERSHIP
DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS. OUR ATTENDANCE HAD DROPPED TO 18 MEMBERS, AND WE WERE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY.
WE WERE WITHOUT A PASTOR WHEN DR. DANNY BURNLEY CAME TO OUR CHURCH. AT THAT TIME WE HAD TWENTY  SEVEN PAGES OF BY-LAWS AND REALLY NO PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE OF OUR CHURCH. DR. BURNLEY RECOMMENDED WE NEEDED SOME CHANGES. "BOY THE WORD CHANGE DID NOT SET WELL WITH SOME PEOPLE.
WE WERE HAVING A BUSINESS MEETING EACH QUARTER AND SOMETIMES SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS CALLED IN BETWEEN. OUR CHURCH REDUCED AND REFINED OUR BY- LAWS FROM 27 PAGES TO ELEVEN PAGES. THE BUSINESS MEETINGS WERE TO BE CALLED BY THE PASTOR IF SOMETHING IMPORTANT COMES UP THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. OUR ANNUAL CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE FALL TO ADOPT THE NEXT YEARS BUDGET.

A THREE MEN MINISTRY TEAM WAS SELECTED BY DR. BURNLEY. THIS TEAM WOULD BRING ANY BUSINESS THAT WAS IMPORTANT AND DEEMED NECESSARY BEFORE THE CONGREGATION IN A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING. THE TEAM WOULD PROVIDE COPIES OF THE BUSINESS TO EACH MEMBER FOR TWO WEEKS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANYONE MIGHT HAVE. AT THE END OF TWO WEEKS THE CHURCH WOULD VOTE YES OR NO WITH NO DISCUSSION. THIS KEPT DOWN ANY CONFUSION ON ANY BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE THE CHURCH.

WE SET GOALS FOR OUR CHURCH CALLED:
      "A 2020 VISION FOR 2020"
THE LIST OF OUR GOALS WERE:
1. OUR SPIRITUAL VISION: THINGS SPIRITUAL WE COULD ACCOMPLISH.
2. OUR FINANCIAL VISION:
A. TO ENCOURGE TITHING.
B. TO MOVITATE GIVING THROUGH SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
C.    TO ESTABLISH BUDGETS WITH WISDOM, BALANCE, AND FAITH TO CHALLANGE GOD'S PEOPLE.
D.    TO INCREASE OUR MISSION GIVING TO PIEDMONT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM AND OTHER SOUTHERN BAPTIST CAUSES.
WE THEN MADE A CHURCH CALANDER FOR THE FOLLOWING 2 YEARS. EACH MONTH WE LISTED THE EVENTS THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. THIS REALLY ENCOURAGED THE CONGREGATION SO EVERYONE COULD SEE AND PLAN WHAT WAS COMING UP.

OUR MATERIAL VISION:
WE MADE A LIST OF NEEDED REPAIRS OF OUR CHURCH BUILDING, OUR FELLOWSHIP BUILDING, OUR PARSONAGE BUILDING, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR GROUNDS AROUND OUR BUILDINGS.

THE LORD HAS RICHLY BLESSED OUR CHURCH AND WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MOST OF OUR GOALS WITH THE REMAINING GOALS STILL IN PROGRESS.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR SWEETWATER BAPTIST CHURCH TO GROW AND BECOME A STRONG BEACON IN  YOUR COMMUNITY. THE POWER OF PRAYER CAN AND WILL ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS YOU SET FOR YOUR CHURCH.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE ALLOWED ME TO TELL YOU WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR OUR CHURCH, CORINTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU AND 1 PRAY GOD WILL MAKE SWEETWATER BAPTIST CHURCH GROW AND PROSPER.
SINCERELY WITH LOVE,
JAMES MARTIN




It is my privilege to commend Dr. Danny Burnley and his ministry of Church Revitalization Consulting. I have known Bro. Danny since 1994.  He possesses the character of Barnabas “the encourager.”  I have watched him pray for, encourage and partner with discouraged pastors and declining, dying churches with great success.  In the area of church revitalization Danny is not a theoretician, but a genuine, proven practitioner.  I’ve observed as he’s stepped down from very healthy, successful churches to embrace struggling churches.  Under his leadership those churches have experienced true turnaround by becoming healthy and following God’s prescribed pattern for growth.  I’m confident Dr. Danny Burnley’s wisdom and proven leadership can be a blessing to your church in this day of decline.

Rev. Mike Moody, Senior Pastor
Honea Path First Baptist Church
Honea Path, South Carolina


Danny Burnley has the skills, experience and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to lead much larger churches; but his heart and his calling are for helping small, struggling churches to emerge from the spiritual doldrums to fulfill the Great Commission and make disciples of Jesus.  I have watched him for several years lead hurting churches through the healing process and emerge on the other side with a stronger unity and a stronger focus on reaching people for Christ.  And I am thankful that he still yearns to help even more churches by publishing this book.  Read this book and you will not only learn effective strategies, but you will also hear his heart.  Thank you, Danny!

Wade Leonard, Senior Pastor
Mauldin First Baptist Church
Mauldin, South Carolina




To a humble heart, the devoted Dr. Danny Burnley, “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).  To know Pastor Burnley is such a privilege.  His directions for a holy and obedient life is well worth hearing.  His current book, Excommunicated: Eleven Steps to Church Revitalization, is more than a blessing and is the answer to many prayers.  Because of Pastor Burnley’s caring heart, and his desire to help others, I am reminded of the scripture for which he is well-deserving, “Give, and it will be given to you;  a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  We are more than grateful for all you have done to help us here at Hosannah Baptist Church.  Your kindness and generosity has sustained us and will forever be in our hearts.

Pastor Clyde D. Cannon
Hosannah Baptist Church
McCormick, South Carolina


I have known Dr. Danny Burnley for about 30 years.  In that time he has been my mentor, both as a pastor and as a friend.  He has a deep desire to see the lost saved.  In fact, he witnessed to me.  But that is matched only by his love of the church and seeing true spiritual growth.  I have seen him stay the course with a Godly zeal, whether it was a Romanian mission trip, preaching a church growth revival or ministering to a young pastor that was greatly in need of an encouraging word.

Phil Keown, Pastor
Lake Russell Baptist Church
Elberton, Georgia



Danny Burnley has a great gift and special anointing of God to serve the body of Christ.  He has a ministry to struggling churches and helps them to rebound and become strong again.  He helps bring life to something that is dying.  Danny has been a great help to me and to my church leaders by giving strategic suggestions that were easy to follow and accomplish.  God was able to do a miracle in our lives and the life of our church.  Through this process I personally have gained a great friend and encourager.

Rev. Greg Fortune, Pastor
East Park Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina



“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).  Within these pages, you will find many years of dedicated preaching and the study of God’s Word.  Brother Danny has put to pen those truths which God has revealed to him while working with God’s Church all of these years.  I have witnessed Danny put this knowledge of God’s plan for His church to work many times.  I thank my God that I might gain years of knowledge from the reading of this book.

Wesley A. Poole, Deacon
Siloam Baptist Church
Easley, South Carolina


When Dr. Danny Burnley came to Laurel Baptist Church, our church had declined continuously in membership and attendance.    As I watched our church (God’s Church) decline I realized I could not be on the sidelines anymore. I began to pray that God would use me in any way that I could serve and help this cause.  By the time Dr. Burnley arrived, LBC had changed from a committee-led church to a ministry-led church at his suggestion.  This was all new to me and I really did not want to be in a ministry, so I began to drag my feet.  I even told Pastor Burnley that I was not going to sign up for any ministries, but then I remembered that I had been praying for God to use me.  How could I pray to be used by God and then refuse to get involved?  Pastor Burnley asked me to become one of his prayer partners, and through God getting my attention and receiving direction and encouragement from Pastor Burnley, joy began to fill my soul and my attitude began to change.  Now God has opened a door for me to teach God’s Word in a Bible Study Group and I love it!  If you will turn to God’s Word and will also apply the principles of this book, you and your church will be revitalized!

John Mullis, Deacon
Laurel Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina



If your church is not growing, it would a great benefit to read this book and see how Dr. Burnley used these methods to completely revive Laurel Baptist Church.  We were only months away from closing the doors with less than forty active members.  Now our church is growing with over 200 active members and there is an excitement about our future.

Sandra Clark, Prayer Partner
Laurel Baptist Church

The Lord asked Ezekiel, “Can the bones live?’  Ezekiel answered,  “O Lord God, Thou knowest.”  The answer is yes.  God can revive His people and His church.  There are definitely steps that must be taken for a turnaround to occur in a declining church.  Danny Burnley has been used by God to implement these steps in several churches and God has been seen bringing new life to His churches.  We must return to the main things of soul winning and discipleship.

Paul Fleming, Executive Pastor
Forestville Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina