WBCE Benefit

The Echoes were blessed to be able to participate in a benefit for WBCE Christian Radio, of Wickliffe, KY.  Held at the House of Prayer Church in LaCenter, Kentucky, the evening featured a large number of WKGMA-affiliated soloists and groups.


Well over $1000 was raised to keep Southern Gospel music and other religious programming going out over the airwaves in the Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, Northwestern Tennessee, and Eastern Missouri.


Thanks to the members of "For Him" for coordinating the benefit.

Pleasant Hill General Baptist Church

Another good day for the Echoes, as we spent the afternoon singing to the folks at Pleasant Hill General Baptist Church, in rural Hardin County, Illinois.  It was good to return to Pleasant Hill and see friends from way back, as well as some new friends.  There were even a couple of people who had never heard us sing before -- pretty amazing after 42 years of singing.


The Holy Spirit was present, and the smiles on the faces of the congregation, and lips moving as some silently sang along with us, was proof that blessings were being received from the messages in the songs we sang.  


Some of our best times are at the small country churches where people are still faithfully claiming the promises of God, through Jesus Christ.  We'll keep on encouraging those faithful saints as long as God wants.

Illinois State Quartet Convention

It's called a "Quartet" Convention, and there were some great quartets there.  But there were also a number of trios and even a soloist participating.  


The Echoes sang Friday night as part of the 43rd Annual Illinois State Quartet Convention.  This 3-day event, held each year in Marion, Illinois, is arguably one of the most significant Southern Gospel singing events in the entire state of Illinois..


But irregardless of how many members a group had, the message of Jesus Christ was strongly proclaimed by  each of the participants.  


Ralph Brandon once again served as emcee for the evening, lending his humor and insight to the event.  Ralph can have you laughing 'til you cry one second and then immediately hit you between the eyes with the truth of the Gospel.


Our hosts, the Glorylanders and the Nehkorns, made us feel right at home.  And The Lester Family, the St. Louis-based and longest-tenured professional  family group in the Southern Gospel field, blessed the rest of us with their selection of songs, such as one of their recent hits, "Rocks Droppin'."


If you were there, you know the blessings that poured forth.  If you weren't there, then be sure to make plans to attend next year.