The old church sits by a dusty gravel road, in a remote part of southern Pope County, Illinois. In its earlier days, it was a beacon of Christ in a vibrant community for many years, after its founding in 1848.
But today, those who once had a connection to Azotus Baptist Church gather just once a year to reminisce, take care of cemetery business and worship once again in the old church.
The old upright piano has a good number of keys that no longer work. But it still provides enough music, beautiful in its own way, that the gathering congregation can still sing along to the old hymns of the faith.
The coal or wood-burning stove no longer is present to heat the room. But that's no longer necessary anyway, in the hot months of August. The pews are unpadded, and the unscreened windows make welcome wasps and other insects who sometime join the congregation. Electricity is no longer present, but the guest minister doesn't need a sound system in the little building anyway.
But God is still present in that little, plain building. He dwells in the hearts of those faithful people who still gather once a year to worship Him in this place.
And the Echoes count it a honor to be a small part of this yearly service for the last 39 years. These days, everyone gathers under the old maple tree that very likely was there at the beginning in 1848. We all eat a delicious pot-luck lunch, and the Echoes then sing. Today, that old maple tree is showing its age, the results of ice storms, winds, and just old age in general.
But God is still present. And He always will be -- even after that little old church building beside of the road is no more.
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