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.