By LORETTA FULTON As sure as the rains come during the West Texas Fair & Rodeo, so do volunteers from Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. It would be hard to say which is a more welcomed sight. Rain is always welcomed in Abilene,, but so are the folks from Pioneer Drive, who year after year provide a home-style barbecue meal and
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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.
Read moreDaniel McKay is the new associate pastor for teaching and connections at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. McKay, whose position was made official on Sunday, Feb. 28, is replacing John Whitten, who was named senior pastor last fall. McKay and his wife, Anna, were in all four services at Pioneer Drive on Sunday. The final vote was a long time coming.
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This article will be updated as more information is obtained. If your church or organization, or one you know of, is assisting in any way, please email editor@spiritofabilene.com and that information will be added. Include name of church, contact info, what you’re doing, and if volunteers and/or supplies are needed. By LORETTA FULTON Churches and ministries in Abilene and the
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By LORETTA FULTON Perhaps nothing illustrates the year 2020 like a group of volunteers, all wearing masks, standing in the cold to hand out Christmas packages to families in a drive-through line. Masks and drive-through lines, to avoid close contact, became the norm in 2020, the Year of COVID. As the year progressed, so did the number of cases and
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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 An email request from the missions minister at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church caught
Read moreJohn 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
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
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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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