John Whitten preached his first sermon Sept. 6 as senior pastor of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. He replaces Stan Allcorn, who served as senior pastor since 1998. Allcorn’s last Sunday as senior pastor was Aug. 29. Photos show Whitten preaching, his father, Mark Whitten, presenting him with two Bibles, and the PDBC orchestra, led by Danny Barefield. Whitten, 35, may
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By LORETTA FULTON A determined, handsome face peers from the canvas, caring eyes gazing into the future. The face is that of Dr. William H. Butler, Abilene’s first black physician, who was born Dec. 9, 1875, in Anderson County. He died Sept. 8, 1947, and is buried in the Abilene City Cemetery alongside his wife, Beatrice, who died Jan. 17,
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Editor’s Note: Everyday Ministry is an occasional feature of Spirit of Abilene, highlighting people who weave ministry into their everyday lives. If you know someone you would like to see featured, email editor@spiritofabilene.com with the name, contact information and a brief description of the person’s ministry. By LORETTA FULTON Life is filled with learning right now for Peyten Castillo. The
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON “Money is the root of all evil.” We’ve all heard that statement over the years. Some of us have probably even used it from time to time. Some have heard that it’s wrong to be rich because “Money is the root of all evil.” The problem is that statement is nowhere in the Bible. It’s part of
Read moreThe Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest will be hosting three sessions on talking about politics in a civil manner as a lead up to the Nov. 3 general election. The sessions, except for one which will be online only, will be held in the church courtyard to allow for social distancing. Masks are encouraged. The Sept. 30 session will
Read moreBy CAROLYN NEWMAN I do not go to church in town,I go to church in my nightgown.I do not want to be a crier‘Cause I cannot sing in choir. I’ve done that for 53 yearsSee me holding back my tears?The next best thing for you and meIs pioneerdrive.tv. I do miss my Sunday School friendsMy teacher’s expertise never ends.Our leader
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Few emotional swings reach from the highest high to lowest low in a period of 60 hours. My wife Brenda and I celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary on August 12. Three days later, our oldest daughter, Julie Choate, succumbed to a pulmonary embolism. In a two-hour period, efforts to revive her failed; her airlift to
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Once again I offer an initial alert for a story: (1) there is a little science here and (2) there is not a fully satisfactory resolution. Reader beware. Some years ago, I received a phone call from the East Coast. The caller identified herself as a former student of mine, although I did not recall her. She
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By LORETTA FULTON “Stan the Man” has earned many honorific titles and humorous nicknames at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church over the past 22 years, but the one he likes best is “Brother Stan.” “We were all born from the spirit of Christ,” Brother Stan said at his retirement party Sunday night, Aug. 30. “We’re all family.” Even Stan Allcorn’s parting
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