+ Church Directory
+ Read the Bible Online (Link)
Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Sat, Apr 18
April 14, 2026 - If you are a descendant or a relative of anyone buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Shelby County, please join us for the Annual Homecoming on Saturday, April 18. We will gather to visit at 10:30, then have a short business meeting followed by lunch. We will observe a time of singing hymns in the church after lunch.
Donations can be sent to Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association, 603 Private Road 118, Center, TX 75935. Contact John Hughes at 936-297-8698. Let everyone know so we can have a great turnout this year!
Sun, Apr 19
April 14, 2026 - Center Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a Healthcare Worker Appreciation Service at 11am on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Lunch will be served at 12 noon.
April 13, 2026 - St. John Baptist Church, Center, Texas is hosting its Annual Family and Friends Day - 'Celebrating those that are dear to us' on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm.
Guest Speaker and Church are Rev. Ronderick Kirkendoll and St. Luke Baptist Church of Logansport, Louisiana.
The theme is 'Where there is UNITY, there is strength. Let us gather in His name and be blessed together' (Psalm 133:1).
Pastor - Rev. Winston Kibbles and St. John Baptist Church invite all to attend. The church is located at 2308 Co Rd 2050, Center, Texas 75935.
March 30, 2026 - New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas will be having Pastor and Wife's appreciation (Pastor Rayford and Sis. Judie Caraway) on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm. Guest Speaker is Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr., Blount Chapel Baptist Church, Center, Texas and Unity Baptist Church in Grapeland, Texas. Everyone is invited to attend.
March 30, 2026 - FCA is bringing Fields of Faith with special guest speaker Cameron Tate to Shelbyville, Texas on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 7pm to Dragon Stadium.
From Jackson Mississippi, Cameron Tate along with his wife Yvonne are the founders of Bridging the Gap Outreach Ministries which strives to fortify the bond between churches and organizations and to connect more deeply with their community.
Fields of Faith is an FCA certified ministry program where athletes gather at sport environments in their communities to challenge their peers to read the Bible daily and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.
Dragon stadium is located at 5322 Hwy 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973. For more information about the event, call Levi Willoughby at 936-332-4443.
Sun, Apr 26
March 3, 2026 — Southern Gospel music veteran Trey Wilson will appear in concert on Sunday, April 26, during the 10:45am worship service at Old Home Baptist Church in Joaquin, Texas. Admission is free, and a love offering will be received during the service.
With more than 26 years of experience in gospel music, Wilson is widely respected for his powerful voice, heartfelt delivery, and deep roots in traditional Southern Gospel music. Raised in the piney woods of East Texas, his musical foundation was shaped in small rural churches where gospel hymns, family harmony, and the Heavenly Highway Hymnal were a central part of his upbringing.
Wilson’s career includes lead vocalist roles with the Southern Plainsmen Quartet and New South, spending a decade with New South as headliners for one of the most successful shows in Branson, Missouri. He later helped form The Downing Street Boys, a quartet praised for its sound and style reminiscent of the golden age of Southern Gospel music. Throughout his career, Wilson has toured nationally, appeared in televised broadcasts, and shared the stage with both gospel and country music legends.
Across his group work and solo career, Wilson has logged thousands of performances and reached millions of fans through live concerts, television appearances, and special events. Known for his warm, soulful delivery and authentic connection with audiences, his performances reflect a lifetime of faith, experience, and conviction.
The April 26 service is open to the public and promises a morning of uplifting music and encouragement for all ages.
Sat, May 02
April 14, 2026 - Sardis Cemetery Annual Homecoming and Fish Fry will be Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 11am.
Catfish plates with all the trimmings will be $12 per plate. Sardis cookbooks will be available for $10 each.
Business meeting will follow after cleanup. Please make plans now to come by, sit around, visit with friends and family and just enjoy the day.
Donations are welcomed and will be used for the upkeep of the cemetery.
Donations can be mailed to:
Sardis Cemetery
6034 FM 414,
Center, Texas 75935.
Faith
April 16, 2026 - One of the most elusive things in our lives are friends. We might have some we consider to be our friends, yet, they later prove themselves to be what are known as “fair weather friends.” When the going gets tough, often they are nowhere to be found. There is one friend who will never let us down and that is God.
When we turn to the word of God, we find a man who was known as a “friend of God.” That is what James tells us about Abraham in James 2:23, he was “called the Friend of God.” Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever considered what a high honor that was for Abraham?
Abraham believed God. Faith is something that must be present for us to be pleasing to God. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. Yet, Abraham did more than this. He obeyed God, he feared God and he had a deep concern for the lost.
With God there is no such thing as being a partial friend. There is no such thing as being an acquaintance. James also tells us in James 4:4 that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. That whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God. The question we must ask ourselves is could it be said of us that we are the friend of God? Are we living our lives as friends of God or friends of the world?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
April 16, 2026 - Join a powerful and heartfelt Mother’s Day Prayer Luncheon — “A Cry Within”
This special gathering is designed to uplift, heal, and restore mothers and women navigating life’s deepest emotions. Through prayer, fellowship, and transparency, we will come together to “take the mask off” and experience God’s presence in a real way.
- Date: May 9th
- Time: 12pm – 4pm
- Location: The Burning Bush Co.
- 1229 Southview Circle, Center, TX
Featuring dynamic guest speakers and honorees who will inspire, encourage, and pour into every woman in the room.
Guest Speakers & Honorees
- First Lady Vanessa Davis - Center, Texas
- Kim Holman Bobb, MBA - Houston, Texas
- Evangelist Lisa Carpenter - Center, Texas
- Sis. Shirley Rucker - Center, Texas
- Evangelist Sylvia Bennett -Bryan,Tx
Please bring a $15 gift as a token of love
Come expecting healing, connection, and a divine encounter. You don’t have to carry it alone—this is a safe place to release, renew, and be restored.
For more info: 214-213-5181 or 936-332-6006
April 15, 2026 - I want to talk to you about Mary Magdalene, who did a lot of waiting. You see, we are always in a rush to get things done, only to find that when we reach our destination, we have to wait. As a kid, did you ever get a toy and get excited, only to find out that Santa forgot to bring batteries for it? Maybe you have been running late to get to work, only to run into a traffic jam or get behind a chicken truck! There is always something. We hurry from task to task, appointment to appointment, hoping life will finally “start” when the next thing arrives. But spiritually, many feel stuck in a waiting room of some sort, waiting for healing, answers, and a breakthrough. The life of Mary Magdalene shows that while we are in a hurry, God often does His best work in the seasons when we are forced to stop and wait.
The Bible introduces Mary Magdalene as a woman who had been tormented and possessed by seven demons until she encountered Jesus Christ. He delivered her completely, transforming her from a captive into a free and devoted follower of Christ. Her story reminds us that some of our longest, darkest seasons of waiting are the ones that end in the greatest freedom. Many people today are hurrying from solution to solution, but still waiting for real change. When Jesus intervenes, the waiting for true deliverance is over. His power still sets people free!
Mary also appears at the cross of Jesus. While others ran and scattered, she remained at the feet of the tortured and lifeless Jesus. Standing near the cross, she could not change what had happened to her Lord and Savior. She could only stay, watch, and wait through the deepest pain of her life. Jesus was more than just a great mentor and teacher to her. He was her Deliverer, Savior, Teacher, and Friend. That image is familiar to anyone who has waited by a hospital bed, a graveside, or a broken relationship, wondering why God allowed such sorrow. Mary’s faith teaches us that real devotion does not waver when life makes no sense. It holds fast to Christ even at the place of suffering.
On the first day of the week, Mary rose early and hurried to Jesus’ tomb, only to find it empty. Confused and grieving, she stayed outside the tomb, weeping. In that moment of waiting and heartbreak, Angels and Jesus appeared. She did not recognize Him until He spoke her name, turning her mourning and sorrow into joy and peace. The empty place where she feared all was lost became the very place she encountered the resurrected Christ.
Many of us today live in that state of being. We are always rushing things and want the imminent answer to our problems, only to find ourselves in the waiting room of sorrow and grief. We are in a hurry for life to change, but unsure how long we have to wait. The good news of the gospel is that, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we do not have to wait for Him to show up. He is already here. The wait is over! You do not have to wait for peace, deliverance, joy, strength, purpose, and confidence anymore! Jesus has all of that and more ready just for you. Does that mean that we are exempt from heartbreaks and hard times? No. But it does mean that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Revelation 3:20 gives us His invitation when it says, “ He stands at the door and knocks.” He is calling each of us to open our hearts to Him.” I always tell my congregation that Jesus is at the door, knocking. He is not going to force His way in. He is not going to bust the door down. We have to hear it and answer it. We may still wait on God’s timing for certain answers, but we do not have to wait one more minute to come to Christ.
Mary had to “hurry up and wait”, but all that waiting led her to the feet of Jesus. Jesus is here today. You can hurry to Him now. The wait is over!
God Bless,
Josh Crawford
Pastor, Pleasant Grove MBC
-1 Timothy 4:12-
April 14, 2026 - Center Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a Healthcare Worker Appreciation Service at 11am on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Lunch will be served at 12 noon.
April 14, 2026 - Sardis Cemetery Annual Homecoming and Fish Fry will be Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 11am.
Catfish plates with all the trimmings will be $12 per plate. Sardis cookbooks will be available for $10 each.
Business meeting will follow after cleanup. Please make plans now to come by, sit around, visit with friends and family and just enjoy the day.
Donations are welcomed and will be used for the upkeep of the cemetery.
Donations can be mailed to:
Sardis Cemetery
6034 FM 414,
Center, Texas 75935.
April 14, 2026 - If you are a descendant or a relative of anyone buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Shelby County, please join us for the Annual Homecoming on Saturday, April 18. We will gather to visit at 10:30, then have a short business meeting followed by lunch. We will observe a time of singing hymns in the church after lunch.
Donations can be sent to Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association, 603 Private Road 118, Center, TX 75935. Contact John Hughes at 936-297-8698. Let everyone know so we can have a great turnout this year!
April 13, 2026 - St. John Baptist Church, Center, Texas is hosting its Annual Family and Friends Day - 'Celebrating those that are dear to us' on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm.
Guest Speaker and Church are Rev. Ronderick Kirkendoll and St. Luke Baptist Church of Logansport, Louisiana.
The theme is 'Where there is UNITY, there is strength. Let us gather in His name and be blessed together' (Psalm 133:1).
Pastor - Rev. Winston Kibbles and St. John Baptist Church invite all to attend. The church is located at 2308 Co Rd 2050, Center, Texas 75935.
April 13, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 13.
Most worship songs are based on scripture. But these nine songs ARE scripture. I grew up singing them - maybe you did too. Sing them again this morning and, as you do, you’ll be quoting scripture!
*This is the Day - Psalm 118:24
*Rejoice in the Lord Always - Philippians 4:4
*I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever - Psalm 89:1
*Behold What Manner of Love - I John 3:1
*Thy Lovingkindness is Better Than Life - Psalm 63:3-4
*I Will Call Upon the Lord - Psalm 18:3
*Seek Ye First - Matthew 6:33, 7:7
*Thou Art Worthy - Revelation 4:11
“Thy Word - Psalm 119:105
Since the songs on my list have been around for a while, their lyrics are mostly from the King James Version of the Bible. But most of the verses you have by memory are probably from the King James as well - since you’ve been around a while too! Scripture memorization is a powerful spiritual tool. Make it part of your spiritual journey.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
April 9, 2026 - Sorrow is a universal experience. It comes to the rich and poor, to the powerful and the weak. So much of the sorrow in our world is unseen, often it is hidden from view purposely. Many times it is known only to the individual and to God. It can be buried beneath a cheerful countenance and earthly baubles. Yet, even the most cheerful often have troubled hearts.
Our hearts can be troubled by sins, either our own or the sins of others. Hearts can be heavy because of the departure of a loved one or the deep waters of serious illness. There are times that our hearts are distressed due to the unfaithfulness of a friend or feelings of insecurity.
Jesus did not shun sorrow. To be sure, He was often found among people with heavy hearts, people who were distressed and uneasy. To these He was sympathetic. Jesus suffered with people and shared their sorrows. His mission was to “heal the brokenhearted” (Luke 4:18)
Jesus’ remedy for broken and troubled hearts was faith. He said, “believe in God, believe in me” (John 14:1). A few sentences later he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me”. When our faith is in Jesus Christ, when we live life His way, our troubled hearts will find relief.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
April 6, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 6.
The Bible is a book that is dominated by stories about men. I challenge you to name more than ten significant female characters from the Word. Why is this? Perhaps it’s because the Bible was written within a culture that was dominated by men. Whatever the reason, we must admit that women in scripture are few in number. But we must also agree that the women of the Word were often mighty in faith. Women like Queen Esther, Deborah the judge, Priscilla, a co-laborer with Paul, and Mary, the mother of Christ.
Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, most of the sermons preached around the world centered on the resurrection story. The main character of that story is, of course, Jesus, a man. But, playing a very important role, we find a woman - Mary Magdalene. Scripture tells us that, early in His ministry, Jesus healed Mary of seven demons, and she became one of His most faithful followers. This is evident in the events of Holy Week. When Christ hung on the cross, only one of his disciples (John) was present. But Mary Magdalene was there. The gospels tell us that Mary was also there when Jesus was taken down from the cross and buried. And on that first Easter morning, it was Mary who was the first to see the risen Lord.
After the Easter story ends, there is nothing else written in scripture about Mary Magdalene. But we can assume with great confidence that she remained a devoted follower of Christ and a leading member of His new Church. We can imagine her rising in the congregation, time and time again, to share her first-person testimony. Mary Magdalene, an amazing story. Mary Magdalene, an inspiring character. Mary Magdalene, a mighty woman of faith.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
Pages
