By LORETTA FULTON In August 2020, Stan Allcorn started a trend that is continuing this summer among other local pastors and people serving in ministry roles–retirement. Allcorn came to Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in 1998 and stepped down from his position as senior pastor last August. He and his family were honored at an outdoor retirement party Sunday night, Aug.
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By LORETTA FULTON Anyone who knows Jean Kahenga and his son, Bonfils Babone, understand why both had much to celebrate on Sunday, June 20. A lot of fathers were smiling Sunday, as they got gifts from children–and maybe Mom–in honor of Father’s Day, an American tradition. But Jean and Bonfils had another reason to smile, too. Sunday, June 20, also
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK Fellow writer Danny Minton wrote a recent article about how people sometimes feel alone and abandoned by God. When this happens to us, we often ask, “God, where are you?” Of course, we learn by going through the crisis that God remains present the entire time. Unfortunately, our human limitations can blind us to the reality of
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS He was a contract worker for a company that was installing new water meters throughout the city. Working in our front yard on a near 100-degree day, he used an assortment of wrenches, other tools, and impressive physical strength to remove our current meter from under the ground and replace it with a newer electronic one. He
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury He was not gigantic in physical stature, but in his no-nonsense approach to government, he stood tall, this proud Texas governor who was the first West Texan to hold the office. His name was Preston Smith, who died 18 years ago at age 91. Though he maintained a tie-always-straight appearance, the only thing keeping him
Read moreA Juneteenth celebration will be held Friday through Sunday at the Abilene Convention Center and in Stevenson Park. All events are free. Friday’s activities begin with a fish fry at 6 p.m., a DJ, and kick ball. Taste of Soul will perform from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by Basic Truth 8-9 p.m. The band, “Soulful Sounds” will be in
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Dr. Phil Christopher, senior pastor of First Baptist Church since 1995, announced his retirement Sunday, June 13, during the morning worship service. His retirement is effective Sept. 26 of this year. The following letter was posted after the service. Some things don’t change…. An article about First Baptist Abilene in the 1954 Abilene Reporter News was titled “An evangelistic, progressive, and pioneering
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Of all the stories around the sinking of the Titanic, the co-owner of Macy’s, Isidor and Ida Straus, stands out as one of a couple’s love and commitment. It’s a scene depicted in various ways in every movie and book centered on the tragedy. On April 18, 1912, a story came out of New York, “Mr. and
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Fifth-grade violinists from Grandview Elementary School are accustomed to taking Branson, Missouri, by storm, but this year they wowed audiences despite the “double whammy” of rainstorms and a pandemic. Founder-director Vicki Nichols, who has taken the Zebra Strings to Branson for 15 consecutive years on a chartered bus, opted out last spring when COVID-19 dangers
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Spirit Of Abilene 