A local National Day of Prayer Observance was held Thursday, around noon, on the front lawn of the Drew County Courthouse.

Around 70 people attended the event, as a series of prayers were lifted, asking God for his guidance over our country, state, and local leaders, schools, national security, military, law enforcement, justice system, churches, and people enduring hardships.

New Year’s Eve brought with it the usual activities, Thursday night, however the rain and cool temperatures seem to reduce the number of people celebrating.

Monticello Police arrested 3 drivers that were charged with DWI, proving the phrase, “if you drive hammered, you’ll probably get nailed” to be true.

Several churches held New Year’s events as well.  The top photo is from Mt. Pleasant Campground United Methodist Church held a  “sing in the new year” recognizing the music of Gospel Music Publisher, Songwriter, Music and Singing School Teacher, Singer and Musician Marty Phillips, and his wife Ann.  Marty’s song, “What a Meeting in the Air” has been featured in one of Bill Gaither’s Homecoming videos.

Immanuel Baptist Uth took part in a lock-in, overnight.  Shady Grove and Holmes Chapel also had activities planned.

The Robin Hood Family, Andy Brannon, and others joined together in an “all night singing” at Christ Church.

Rhonda Brooks recieved “Hospice Volunteer of the Year” at a volunteer appreciation “Luau”, Saturday, hosted by Hospice Home Care staff of Monticello.

Rhonda’s husband, Sanders Brooks serves as pastor of Northside Baptist Church, here in Monticello.

Wolf Creek Baptist Camp, which in located south of the Collins community, has had a positive effect on several generations of South Arkansas young people.

After a long day of volleyball, kickball, and waiting in line at the “snack shack”, I remember sitting in the same tabernacle back in the ’70’s, listening to speaker preaching to “kids my age”. Then everyone would gather around the campfire for “current” favorites, like Pass It On and He’s Everything To Me.

Well, Wolf Creek’s history of bringing kids out into the country, and into a spiritual week, filled with wholesome activities, as well as Bible study and worship, is still taking place, with the Delta Baptist Assocation’s Camp, which will be concluding today. 

This year, 107 children took part in the week long camp, representing 15 different churches.

The camp pastor this year is Terry Sayers, from Kelso Baptist Church. The director, Teresa Kelley, attends Bayou Mason Church, near Lake Village.  Also leading in the activities were Coy & Vivian Sample, who serve as Missionaries to Africa.

With all of the trials and temptations that our young people face everyday, it sure is good to see that God is still using camps like Wolf Creek, to give them a Godly based backgound to build upon.

Several years ago, the church I was attending had a visiting preacher, who preached like he knew exactly what all was going on in my life at that time.

That preacher was Bro. Larry Wilkerson.  Bro. Larry is now pastor of Ladelle Baptist Church, a “country church” that averages around 75-80 people attending on Sunday mornings.  One of Bro. Larry’s friends was at lunch with us, and described the church as “country people and potluck meals, that make you feel at home.”

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