Crusaders for Christ Church

The Echoes travelled to Mounds, Illinois, to participate in the Crusaders for Christ Church's 5th Sunday singing. Each 5th Sunday, the congregation gathers after Sunday morning service for a pot-luck lunch and afternoon Gospel singing.

The Spirit of the Lord was immediately evident even during the congregational singing to start off the afternoon. And that necessitated an immediate change in the song we had planned to begin with. But, that's nothing new for us. Frequently, someone will say something that will bring to mind the lyrics of a song that would better complement what was said. In fact that happened more than once during the afternoon.

After our first set, the next singers were the Gospel Crusaders. This husband and wife duet sang some heartfelt songs, which were made even more poignant as they discussed the medical issues they had been and were currently experiencing. But what came through the most was that they were still relying on God to see them through the valley they are experiencing. That's when a couple more songs came to mind.

So, when we started our second round, the songs "God Wants To Hear You Sing," and "Under Control" were our way of reminding the Gospel Crusaders that their songs must continue and that their faith in God's power will see them through, because He most surely has their situation under His control.

Actually, thinking back about the afternoon, the main theme of our song selection was to encourage, to uplift, and to take one more opportunity to remind people of just how great God is and just how much He loves each of us -- as illustrated by our final song of the afternoon, "When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind."

Keep trusting Him.

Highview Missionary Baptist Church

The Echoes were honored to sing at the dedication service for Highview Missionary Baptist Church. The church was established about 3 years ago as a mission by Walnut Grove Baptist Church, of the Big Saline Association. This service was to dedicate the new Sanctuary and building complex on Feazel Road, in Harrisburg, Illinois.

The event was coordinated and emceed by Dr. John Rogers, the Director of Missions for the Big Saline and Antioch Associations. Pastor Tommy Dutton welcomed those in attendance, and our own Mark Staton delivered the Invocation to start off the afternoon. Rick Humphries, Highview's Music Leader, led the congregation in singing "Victory in Jesus," and Highview's own theme song, "Higher Ground." Giving brief remarks were Mark Smith, the Pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church, and Bill Gholson, of Saline Ridge Baptist Church.

After recognition of the various churches who helped in the early days of Highview, Ed Lafferty, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, in Elizabethtown, Illinois, provided encouragement and advice to the congregation, and charged them to dedicate the church to fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20.

The Echoes then continued the message through songs, including "I'm Rich," "When He Was On The Cross," "Did I Mention," and ending with the charge to "Preach The Word."

The Executive Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association, Dr. Nate Adams, then continued the theme of the responsibility of Highview to continue the Great Commission -- that we can do no less, because of God's unmerited Grace given to each of us. Dr. Adams spoke of once having a mixed breed dog which turned out to be undisciplined, bad tempered, and having no apparent value to the Adams family -- more trouble than anything else. But one day, the dog, because of his misfit behavior, was struck and severely injured by a car. The easiest thing to do with such a worthless dog would be to discard him. The dog hadn't done anything or worked to earn rehabilitation. But the family had mercy on the animal and gave a great price to have the dog nursed back to health.

We, too, do not deserve God's love or mercy. But He also paid a great price, and freely offers His Grace to us. That's what He tells us to share with the world -- the Great Commission. Today, Highview was commissioned to continue that life-long work, in their community of Harrisburg, in their State of Illinois, in their Country of the US, and throughout the world. And the Echoes are also blessed to be a part of that charge.

Saline County Singing Convention

The tradition continues, as the Echoes were the featured singers at the first Saline County Singing Convention of 2011. We say "tradition," because the Echoes have been honored to kick off the Convention every January since 2007.

Also somewhat a tradition, the Convention was hosted by the Rudement Social Brethren Church. Convention President Alma Young welcomed the attendees on a sunny, but somewhat cold afternoon. But it was warm inside, as the convention began with the congregation singing some of the old standards from the "Songs of Inspiration" songbook.

Then the Echoes began telling once again the wonderful story of God's Love in song, beginning with "Reason Enough." Soon, we had everyone practicing their "finger snapping" skills with a fun, but true, song, "Jesus Made A Believer Out of Me." Other songs during the first set included "Under Control" and "Did I Mention."

Then it was time for others to offer a song or two and a piano-organ duet. The Echoes then finished up the afternoon with a few more messages in song, ending the day with a song we had not sung for a good number of years, "When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind." What a thought!

Yes, it was a great day to continue a tradition -- and to bask in the glow of God's Love for us.