Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist Throughout history, the Church has been influenced by unsung heroes; ordinary men and women who were significant in the fulfillment of God’s purposes. One such individual found…
Category: Faith & Family
First Baptist Church of Lloyd to mark 50 years with jubilee homecoming
Story Submitted The Year of Jubilee: 50th Anniversary Homecoming at First Baptist Church of Lloyd promises to be a heartfelt celebration of faith, family and community. On March 1, 2026, the church…
“God, please send us a hot water bottle today”
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. It was National Prayer Breakfast Day on Thursday, Feb. 5, when the Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast took place at its regular time, the first Thursday of the…
Casa Bianca M.B. Church to feature renowned storyteller and Highland Descendants Council during History and Heritage Sunday
Story Submitted Pastor Tobbie Berrian III and the congregation of Casa Bianca Missionary Baptist Church will be welcoming renowned Storyteller Sheila Arnold Jones and members of the Highland Descendants Council during a…
Out of the overflow of the heart
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist In computer programming, we had a term called GIGO: Garbage In, Garbage Out. The Scriptures put it this way, “Out of the overflow of the heart the…
Casa Bianca M. B. Church celebrates Pastor Tobbie Berrian III for 29 years of faithful service
Story Submitted Casa Bianca Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its pastor, Rev. Tobbie Berrian III, and also First Lady Sharon Berrian’s, 29th anniversary with a service this coming Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026,…
Memorial M.B. Church hosts mid-week Bible Study
Story Submitted Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, located at 780 Second St., is presently hosting a mid-week Bible Study each Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Everyone is cordially invited to join…
St. John’s Baptist to launch AA meetings
Bryant Thigpen Contributor St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church is excited to announce the launch of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon as a ministry to help those who struggle with alcohol abuse. The first…
How does God want to use you – today?
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist What would you imagine Jesus saying if you asked Him, “What is Your plan for me, Lord?” We can easily rattle off a dozen spiritual answers. We…
Kiwanis to host Feb. 5 prayer breakfast
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The upcoming Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast will be hosted by the Monticello Kiwanis on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Jefferson Country Club, located at 748 Boston Hwy….
Scored Wisdom
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist Score derives from the Old Norse skor, meaning notch or incision. Back in the 13th century, shepherds would carve notches into wood to tally their sheep, one…
Facing our Goliaths
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist A teacher was giving an exam to identify notable figures in the Bible. One of the questions was, “Who said, ‘Give me a man?’” One student wrote…
Faith when the world feels out of control
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist In the erratic times we live in, when emotions run rampant, do you ever wonder if you’re living with the right focus? I do. As Christ followers,…
Worth a listen: Good Little Giants deliver delightful lyrics in varied styles
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. Good Little Giants came on the national scene in 2014, after winning a major music competition. I recently discovered them through a promotion on Spotify. “Arrows” is…
When your pro-life convictions are put to the test
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist If you’re a Christian considering abortion, I can imagine your conflicting emotions. Most likely, you were staunchly pro-life before your pregnancy test, and it sickens you to…
Trivial pursuit
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist The world is full of fascinating facts. Did you know that your foot is the same length as your forearm , and your nose is about the…
Tami Lester speaks at community prayer breakfast
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Around 50 people drove through a thick, predawn fog to attend the Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 8. The gathering was hosted this month by Memorial…
Battles of the heart
Ted Okolichany Guest Columnist We see the story of three biblical characters who experienced significant battles of the heart, three men who went through a tremendous strain and discovered a lot about…
Revival is coming to Macedonia Church
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Macedonia Church invites the community to join them on Jan. 21, 22 and 23 for Revival. Meetings will start at 7 p.m. each night at the church,…
The fix for 2026
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist The average life expectancy in the United States for 2025 was estimated at about 79.4 years (up from previous years). If I were average (which I’m not!),…