Foundation A Firm
CHURCHES OF PONTOTOC COUNTY
Pontotoc Progress Staff
Our faith still stands on A Firm Foundation
REGINA BUTLER BY
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine! Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away; O let me from this day be wholly Thine. What is faith? It has its hope rested in the tomorrow while living your life today. Faith is what the church of the New Testament is founded on. Our faith lies in the fact that Jesus died and rose again to show us He is God. And we, too, can walk in newness of life if we follow Him.
Jude 1:3 - "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."
May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire; as Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire.
What is faith? It sees beyond the every day and spurns us on to live for Jesus as we serve others in this world. It demands sacrifice of self as we diligently proclaim the truth.
Our faith in Pontotoc County is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us. Our houses of worship are a place we gather to receive encouragement and love.
The believers that have sustained the church over these years have had an impact on this community in every walk of life.
It is inside the walls of these buildings that people have gone for a word of encouragement from the Scriptures of Truth, to listen to a hymn surround their soul with comfort like a patchwork quilt and to
Matthew 8:26 - "But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?"
Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."
While life’s dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide; bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away, nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.
What is faith? It is the light of hope as we travel dark places in this life. It carries us through the storms that seek to swallow us whole. It is a lamp to our feet illuminating the path ahead one step at a time.
Colossians 1:13–14 - “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
When ends life's transient dream, when death’s cold, sullen stream shall o'er me roll, blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove; O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul.
What is faith? It reminds us that there is a hereafter and our trust should be placed in the One who can redeem our souls. It helps our eyes to see beyond this vale of tears to a heavenly portal that will be our final resting place in Him.
clasp their hands in prayer to find the strength to face another day. Through the years the buildings may have changed, or the method in which the ministry has taken place may have changed, but the goal is the same; to bring people to Jesus. To invite them to submit to the Creator of heaven and earth. To show that there is a better way to live life and to love and minister to humanity right in our own back yard. And you will ever find them leaning on their faith in the Redeemer of heaven and earth.
Words in italics are the hymn “My Faith looks up to Thee” Copyright 1830 Ray Palmer
West Heights Baptist Church
strives to love God and serve
people
REGINA BUTLER BY
West Heights Baptist Church was begun as a mission of First Baptist Church in 1946. The small group of believers worshipped in an old store building given by N.L. Griffin. Rev. John W. Cook led as the mission pastor until he resigned and Rev. R.B. Patterson Sr. came to serve as pastor.
March 9, 1947 thirty-one charter members were organized into West Heights Baptist Church.
In May of that year a lot was purchased and a ground breaking was held on August 31. Official dedication of the church was held May 30, 1953.
Present senior pastor of the church, Brother David Hamilton came to minister to the congregation and community 28 years ago.
During these years the church has grown to the point that there are now two services on Sunday morning in addition to
Sunday evening services and Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study.
“My challenge as a pastor would be my own feelings of inadequacy. Just the week-to-week preparation along with normal pastoral duties takes a lot of time. Thankfully our staff and deacons take on a lot of the normal day to day tasks,” he said.
While he has been at West Heights for only 28 years, Bro. David has been pastoring churches for 51 years.
“My first church was Double Springs Baptist Church in Webster County and I served there for 4 years. That is actually where I met my wife, Susan. While I was in seminary I pastored New Zion Baptist Church in Ector, Texas for 2 years. Then I went to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Calhoun County, Ms and served there for 3 years. I was pastor of First Baptist Church Verona, from 1984-1998 and I have been at West Heights since 1998,” he said.
Since he settled in to West Heights Bro. David has seen children grow into adults.
“West Heights is very much a multi-generational church. I have been able to see several generations grow up in our church,” he said.
And through the years there has been an outreach into virtually every age group represented in the church.
“I believe there is a good mixture of activities for all age groups.
We have something for all ages from nursery to senior adults,” Bro. David said.
“For our children we have Bible Drills as well as Wednesday night activities. We have a fully graded Sunday School for all ages.
“We also have youth events including Wednesday night activities. Also, there is Vacation Bible School and summer camps for children and youth,” he noted.
“Our Senior adults meet once a month for lunch and a program.”
And these programs would not be on the ground running if it was not for the men and women who step up to see that they are available for the members.
“Our staff does an excellent job planning and coordinating the various ministries of West Heights.
“Joseph Luby serves as our Associate Pastor and administrator.
“Craig Richardson is Minister of Music and Media. We have so many people who are talented musically. On Sunday mornings we have a full choir accompanied by several musical instruments. Also Craig leads a number of “Nights of Worship” throughout the year.
“Ryan Moorman serves as Family and Discipleship Pastor. Ryan coordinates and oversees youth and children’s ministries.
“Casey Russel is our Missions Pastor. Casey plans and coordinates missions locally as well as in North America and Internationally. There are several mission opportunities planned for 2026.
“Allen Maxey serves as Director of Senior Adult ministries. Allen plans and coordinates the monthly meetings as well as special events such as trips and conferences.
I am so thankful for our team and their commitment to Christ and His church.”
But in spite of all the different programs and all the different activities Bro. David said he doesn’t want the church to forget why Jesus established it in the first place.
“My greatest fear is that it is easy to lose focus on the main thing and that is sharing the Gospel. Jesus made it clear in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20: 18 ‘And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.
“Also in Acts 1:8 before He ascended back to Heaven Jesus said, ‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’
“I guess saying all of that, my fear is that we can get sidetracked and lose focus on the main thing,” he said.
And as John said in 3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth,” Bro. David said he has ultimate joy when he sees “people come to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and
watch them grow in their faith.
“On a personal note both of my sons and their families are active at West Heights so I get to be their pastor along with my seven with one on the way grandchildren.”
And the years have been kind and gracious to the senior pastor, but he knows that it is his duty to train others to walk on and carry on the work of the ministry.
“If you were to ask me my life verse it would have to be John 3:30: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”
And he is excited at the future of the church he has come to dearly love.
“I see the future of West Heights as very positive as long as we keep our focus on Jesus.”
As they walk forward he knows that there will be good days and there will be hard days. Life’s storms will continue to buffet those who God has entrusted to his undershepherding care.
“My comfort comes in knowing that God is in control and I’m not.
In Psalm 23:4 God promised that in the valley experiences of life that He is with us.
“The author of Hebrews quoted Jesus in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
“There are so many verses in the Bible that reminds us that we don’t have to fear, because the Lord is with us if we belong to Him.”
Black Zion Pentecostal Church
walking forward in God’s faithfulness and goodness
REGINA BUTLER BY
I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I've been held in Your hands
When Black Zion Pentecostal Church was established in 1991, the present pastor, Brother Ben Riddle attend that first service at age nine. Little did he know that God would call him to shepherd the flock of this congregation some 22 years later.
“God had previously spoken to me while in prayer that I would be Pastor of the church by the time I was 40 years old. And in that moment I was not even a minister, so I quickly replied LORD, there is just no way,” he said.
But when there is no way for us, there is always a way with God.
“The day I stepped to the pulpit as Pastor, the LORD rolled that memory back thru my mind. And it was the day before I turned 41. The LORD came thru with what HE spoke right on time!
“My greatest joy as a pastor is seeing others baptized in the Name of JESUS, filled with the Holy Ghost and being reconciled to our Savior,” said Brother Ben.
And he enjoys pastoring the church even with the challenge of “attempting to be in multiple places at the same time…’on time,’” he said.
Brother Ben Riddle and son, Joseph Benjamin Cole Riddle
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
And since that first day it has been his desire to minister to his congregation of some 30 members through the good times and the tough times.
“The verse God uses to encourage me the most is Romans 8:28,” he said referring to the fact that no matter what his congregation or he walks through God will be there and He has a purpose in all things. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Black Zion Pentecostal ministers to all ages “especially the children because they are the future of any church. We offer Sunday School for all ages from the youngest to the eldest. We also have a Wednesday night children’s church program.”
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire And in darkest night You are close like no other
And there are days in his life in which he as a pastor needs a shelter over his heart. But even at those depths of his life, he realizes that his calling in life is to minister to others in the midst of the storm of life.
“My comfort during these times is the Holy Ghost operating as ‘the Comforter’ who is of course my ultimate lean to. Prayer is also a necessity. However, I can not leave out the intercessory praying of my family and church family,” Brother Ben said.
I've known You as a Father I've known You as a Friend And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah
Black Zion Pentecostal is located on eight acres of land and Brother Ben can see a bright future of expansion.
“ I would like to see nothing but concrete covering all eight acres with evangelists’ quarters, cabins for afternoon stays for church people that have a lengthy drive to church, a daycare as well as a school.” Although as these buildings go up you probably won’t find him on top of the roof doing anything. “My greatest fear is heights,” he confessed.
And all my life You have been faithful, oh And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah
As he walks forward in the plans God has for him and the congregation he serves Brother Ben said that the song entitled “Goodness of God” encourages him the most in his life.
“Allowing these lyrics to play over and over again in my mind reminds me that GOD is the constant in my life and reflecting on that causes praise to flow!”
And God has been working in his nine year old son, Joseph-Cole.
“When he was born, my life began to change. I desired for my son, my seed, to grow up just like I did at this church and I knew that there were many spiritual changes that would have to take place in order for that to happen.
“God used Joseph-Cole to bridge the gap in my relationship with Him. My son is faithful to our church and to God. He is actually one of the praise singers and occasionally plays the drums. He has told me a few times throughout his little life that he will one day be Pastor of Black Zion Pentecostal Church.”
Black Zion is located at 347 Hwy. 342 in Pontotoc County.
Words in italics are the lyrics to the song Goodness of God copyright 2019 written by Jenn Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding and Brian Johnson.
Church Directory
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD 2448 Highway 15 North 662-489-0209
BAPTIST
ALGOMA BAPTIST 1037 Algoma Road, Algoma
ANTIOCH FREEWILL BAPTIST Toccopola, MS 662-242-0379, 662-801-8815
BEECH SPRINGS FREEWILL BAPTIST Beech Springs Road, Ecru 662-844-0792
BELLEVUE BAPTIST
12770 Highway 6 West, Thaxton, MS 662-419-5359
BETHANY PRIMITIVE BAPTIST 4905 Highway 346 662-489-0222
BETHEL MB 2905 Highway 342 662-509-9924
BETHLEHEM FREEWILL BAPTIST 115 Bethlehem Lane 662-489-6848
BUCHANAN BAPTIST
4815 Friendship Road 662-489-3405
BY FAITH BAPTIST
2220 Highway 15 North 662-489-7701
CAIRO BAPTIST 2610 Cairo Road, Ecru 662-266-4359
CAREY SPRINGS BAPTIST 11800 Highway 9 South
CENTER HILL BAPTIST CHURCH 290 Lessel Road Blue Springs, MS 38828
CENTER HILL BAPTIST 591 Brassfield Road, Pontotoc
CHERRY CREEK BAPTIST Cherry Creek 662-489-6002
CHERRY CREEK MB Cherry Creek Road 662-489-7009
COOKE MEMORIAL BAPTIST
5962 Redland-Sarepta Road Houlka, MS 38850
COUNTY LINE BAPTIST
14616 Highway 9 South, Randolph 662-489-7363
DISCOVERY CHURCH
3950 Highway 336, Pontotoc www.discoverychurchms.com
EAST BAPTIST
329 Clark Street 662-489-7151
ECRU BAPTIST
550 Main Street, Ecru 662-489-3091
ECRU SECOND BAPTIST Ecru, 662-489-5361
FIRST BAPTIST 31 East Washington Street 662-489-1346
FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST Country Road 134 662-489-7070
FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST
85 Friendship Road, Ecru 662-489-4056
FURRS BAPTIST 9011 Highway 6 East 662-840-1705
GERSHORM BAPTIST 240 Baptist Bend, Houlka 662-488-4033
GREATEST MISSION
BAPTIST
125 Old Airport Road, Pontotoc 662-419-1797
GREEN VALLEY BAPTIST
265 Old Airport Road South 662-489-6047
HARMONY BAPTIST 3534 Highway 345 662-489-1070
HEBRON BAPTIST 71 Hebron Road, Randolph 662-489-6103
HOPEWELL PRIMITIVE BAPTIST Robbs Road, Randolph 662-844-9633
HORTON MEMORIAL BAPTIST 2120 Highway 346, Pontotoc
HURRICANE BAPTIST 7975 Highway 346 662-489-1481
IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH 2681 Rowland Road 662-489-4832
IN GOOD FAITH BAPTIST 685 Rocky Ford Road 662-489-7161
LEE MEMORIAL BAPTIST 208 Lana Street 662-489-7285
LIBERTY BAPTIST 7974 Highway 341 662-489-1943
LOCUST HILL BAPTIST 1745 Locust Hill Road
LONGVIEW BAPTIST 406 Dozier Hill Road, Belden 662-489-5733
MACEDONIA BAPTIST 3996 Macedonia Road, Houlka
McGREGOR’S CHAPEL FW BAPTIST CHURCH Highway 6 West, Pontotoc, MS
MIDWAY BAPTIST 8773 Highway 15 South 662-489-5664
NEW HOPE BAPTIST 879 New Hope Road Houlka 662-419-7946
NEW LIFE FREEWILL BAPTIST 4449 Wallfield Road, Houlka, 205-753-9616
NEW RESIDENT BAPTIST 996 Floyd Road 662-488-8843
NEW ROBBS
BETHEL BAPTIST
404 Robbs Bends Road Randolph, MS
NEW SALEM MB Highway 6 East 662-489-8791
OAK DALE BAPTIST 7230 Highway 346 Pontotoc, MS 38863
OAK HILL BAPTIST 5830 Highway 9 North 662-489-1897
PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST 67 Pleasant Grove Road 662-488-6042
PLEASANT GROVE FREEWILL BAPTIST 7705 Highway 336, Thaxton 662-489-0280
PILGRIM REST BAPTIST CHURCH Highway 32, Pontotoc 662-509-9160
PINEY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH Piney Grove Road, 662-489-5825
PINEY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH 507 South Gilmer Road, Pontotoc
RANDOLPH BAPTIST Topsy Road, Randolph 662-489-4992
SCHOONA CHAPEL BAPTIST Highway 341, Pontotoc
SAREPTA BAPTIST Randolph, 662-414-7451
SECOND BAPTIST 189 North College Street 662-489-1274
SELAH BAPTIST 5720 Highway 15 North 662-488-8242
SHADY GROVE BAPTIST 1000 Shady Grove Baptist 662-489-7842
SHERMAN GROVE BAPTIST 209 First Avenue, Sherman 662-372-2661
SPRINGVILLE BAPTIST 64 South Pontotoc Road 662-488-0013
SPRINGVILLE CHAPEL MB 1870 Palestine Road 662-509-9511
ST. PAUL BAPTIST 360 Cairo Loop, 662-489-8417
THAXTON BAPTIST 10507 Highway 336, Thaxton 662-489-8534
THE ANCHOR BAPTIST 4495 Highway 9 North, Pontotoc 662-489-9241
THE VINE BAPTIST 125 Old Airport Road South, Pontotoc 662-401-2218
TOCCOPOLA BAPTIST P. O. Box 304 662-489-7504
TOXISH BAPTIST 1841 Toxish Road 662-489-5839
TROY BAPTIST 8272 Highway 41 662-489-5770
TROY FIRST BAPTIST 145 Rockhill Road 662-489-4624
TURNPIKE BAPTIST Cane Creek Road, Pontotoc 662-489-1923
VALLEY GROVE BAPTIST 3282 Kings Highway, Tupelo 662-419-0801
WATCHMEN BAPTIST 13013 Highway 336 662-489-5560
VICTORY BAPTIST 382 South Main Street 662-489-5900
WEST HEIGHTS BAPTIST 328 West Oxford Street 662-489-1200
WILSON CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH
P. O. Box 906, Pontotoc, MS
WOODLAND BAPTIST 1257 Pontocola Road 662-489-9391
ZION BAPTIST 459 Valley Road 662-489-2196
CATHOLIC
ST. CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH 431 Pineridge Drive, Pontotoc 662-489-7749
CHURCH OF CHRIST
BUCKHORN CHURCH OF CHRIST 13675 Highway 341, Randolph 662-308-1229
HWY 15 CHURCH OF CHRIST 276 Highway 15 Bypass 662-489-5020
PONTOTOC CHURCH OF CHRIST 369 Church Street 662-489-1136
RANDOLPH CHURCH OF CHRIST Corner of Topsy Road & Indian Creek Trail
SHERMAN CHURCH OF CHRIST 2303 Highway 178 East, Sherman 662-844-4593
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH’S 112 Old Airport Road 662-489-7815
METHODIST
ALGOMA UNITED METHODIST 1161 Algoma Road, Pontotoc 662-709-0580
EBENEZER METHODIST CHURCH 1411 Highway 342, Pontotoc 662-760-3499
ECRU METHODIST
67 Church Street, Ecru, MS
FAIRVIEW CHURCH Highway 341 662-489-6979
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH OF PONTOTOC 68 South Main Street 662-489-3076
McDONALD UNITED METHODIST 194 College Street 662-489-1020
MOUNT NEBO UNITED METHODIST 1221 Campground Road 662-489-7020
NAYLOR CME 326 Clark Street 662-489-6082
PALESTINE CHURCH 2181 Palestine Road, Pontotoc 662-709-0580
PLEASANT GROVE
UNITED METHODIST 205 Martin Lane 662-489-2087
THAXTON COMMUNITY CHURCH 10326 Highway 336, Thaxton 662-488-8178
UNION GROVE
UNITED METHODIST Beulah Grove Road 662-844-6021
USHER VALLEY UNITED METHODIST 754 Moorman Road 662-489-8020
PENTECOSTAL
BLACK ZION PENTECOSTAL Highway 342 662-489-0068
LIGHTHOUSE APOSTOLIC CHURCH 414 Royal Oak Drive, Pontotoc 662-419-7271
THAXTON UNITED PENTECOSTAL 265 Wells Road 662-419-2993
WEST PONTOTOC PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 266 Highway 341 South, Pontotoc 662-489-6700
PRESBYTERIAN
F IRST PRESBYTERIAN 124 South Main Street 662-489-2183
MAPLE DRIVE PRESBYTERIAN 146 Maple Drive 662-488-0401
WHITE ZION PRESBYTERIAN Highway 6 East 662-840-6589
OTHER
BEULAH GROVE COMMUNITY CHURCH 800 Beulah Grove Road 662-419-6013
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH 5206A Highway 15, Ecru 662-539-0040
CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY 1528 Highway 341 662-660-0406
CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD 320 Stockard Road, 662-488-8256
COLLEGE HILL 7027 Highway 6 East, 662-488-4060
ECRU CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS 259 Old Highway 15, Ecru 662-489-4319
We are sorry if we missed you!
GOOD SHEPHERD 184 West Bolton Street 662-489-2205
HARVESTER CHURCH 686 Royal Oak Drive, Pontotoc 662-489-4677
HARVEST TIME CHURCH OF GOD 289 8th Street, Pontotoc 662-401-1341
HAYSEED COWBOY CHURCH 11171 MS-6, Thaxton 662-419-6104
HEAVEN BOUND CHURCH 110 Jericho Road, Pontotoc 662-308-7663
OASIS OF LOVE FELLOWSHIP 1195 Kings Highway 662-690-1920
OLD UNION CHURCH 150 Union Church Lane, Thaxton 662-296-5055
PONTOTOC APOSTOLIC 248 Apostolic Circle, 662-489-7121
REYNOLDS CHAPEL 6498 Highway 9 South 662-489-3711
TEMPLE OF GLORY RESTORATION CHURCH 364B East Oxford Street Pontotoc, MS
THOMPSON CHAPEL CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 937 County Road 308, Houlka, MS 662-568-2680
WELLSPRING CHURCH 269 West 8th Street 662-640-9491
We made every effort to contact all the churches in Pontotoc through advertising in the newspaper and by sending a letter to each of the churches. If you didn’t get a letter, it is because we had the wrong address in our church directory or your name is not on our directory. Please help us correct this. Please check our directory and if we have a wrong address or your name is not on our directory please send us the name of your church, your current physical address and mailing address (if you rent a post office box) so we can update our directory. We will put your physical address on the church directory and put the mailing address in our files. You can do this two ways. You can mail the information to us at The Pontotoc Progress; P.O. Box 210, Pontotoc, MS 38863. Or you can email the information to pontotoc.community@journalinc.com.
ministers to all walks of life and styles of music WellSpring Church
REGINA BUTLER BY
Like King David of old, Pastor Murray Galloway express his heart through singing. He is the pastor of WellSpring Church on Highway 15 Bypass south which was established by his father, Pastor Billy Galloway in 1985.
After years of ministry, in 2015 the congregation changed the name to WellSpring Church, Galloway has been serving as pastor there for 23 years. But his pastoral care is not limited to just the ‘flock’ that God has entrusted him to lead.
“I am often asked, ‘How many do you Pastor?’” Galloway said.
“My answer is, ‘As many as will let me.’ I Pastor in stores, restaurants, ball games, offices, barber shops, courthouses, banks, on sidewalks, on the phone, concerts, singing groups wherever I am. I also minister to people from all walks of life.
“If a person needs prayer or encouragement I give it to them whether they come to my church or not. I tell people that I Pastor all the time. I am not in competition with any other church. I work for God's Kingdom and not my own.”
In fact Galloway is well travelled and has been ministering to pastors across this country.
“I have been preaching for 45 years. I travelled preaching all over the United States for 9 years. I have Pastored in California, Tennessee, Indiana, and Mississippi.
“In 1996, I started a ministry called Home Front Ministries that focuses on the problems of small churches and their Pastors in America. I oversee 18 churches and ministries over several states.”
In addition to all this preaching and teaching he writes and warbles songs.
“I also have the singing group Murray Galloway & Company. We travel all over singing and ministering in churches and venues. One of my greatest joys is songwriting.
The pastor admitted that one of his greatest challenges is “Staying fresh [in message] for the people who have been members for a long period of time.”
And his heart truly aches when he watches “people reject God's ways and suffer the consequences of bad choices.”
Conversely Galloway said he has witnessed the unfathomable difference that God can make in a persons life.
“My greatest joy is watching people get saved and their lives change when they begin to apply the principles of Christianity that are taught to them.”
The greatest source of his heart obedience comes from God’s word.
“The verse that God uses to encourage me the most is Deuteronomy 28:2‘And all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord.’”
Pastor Galloway said he enjoys the different people and the different singing that is offered in WellSpring Church.
“We have a good mix of young and older in our congregation. And there is a good mixture of song styles. For example, we sing contemporary, hymns, southern/country gospel in every service, AND everyone dresses in the style they are comfortable wearing.”
One of the most important ministries the church has according to Galloway is “our Tuesday morning Nursing Home Ministry. We sing at a different Nursing Home in the county every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.”
The church also ministers through concerts, dinners and fellowships.
“And we participate in Operation Christmas Child each year to send boxes of gifts to children in other countries.”
And though he has had many years of ministry and has seen many come to the faith, he still longs for that one more that will step into the kingdom and carry on the vision of the church.
“I see a younger person coming along that will catch the vision of an inter-denominational church where if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior then we will claim you as a Brother or Sister in Christ whether you claim us or not.”
But he doesn’t want people just to get saved and be content to stay where they are. He wants them to grow in obedience and listen to God.
“My greatest fear is that saved people start to take their blessings for granted.”
And when he finds himself in that storm in need of a sheltering word he knows where to run.
“The Word of God expressed through Preaching and Songwriting. When I am down, for whatever reason, there is something powerful about taking a message or series of messages I've preached and writing that message in a song. I've preached and sang my way out of a dark place countless times.”
In closing the dear pastor wanted to re-emphasize the goals of his life and the church he pastors.
“1. This is an inter-denominational church.
2. We welcome and minister to all ages with all styles.
3. No one is required to wear a certain style of clothing to attend.
4. All sinners are welcome. That includes me.
5. We preach Jesus and He changes those who will allow Him.”
McDonald United Methodist Church
is a small congregation with
big faith
MREGINA BUTLER BY
cDonald United Methodist Church has been proclaiming the gospel in Pontotoc for more than 162 years. Organized as a missionary outreach prior to 1860 by three white missionaries, the church was officially established in 1864.
Church historian Kim Graham said that the “congregation has been here a long time; faces may change but the ministry is still here.”
Graham said that the church was first located downtown across from the hospital and moved to its current location on North College St in 1926. Perhaps the most famous person who has been a part of this fellowship is the late Ruby Elzy, Pontotoc’s premiere opera star who sang in the church at age four in the year 1912. The present church is now a part of the Ruby Elzy Historical district.
The first name for the church was McDonald Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Church merged to form the McDonald United Methodist Church. Presently leading the church is Minister Astra Robinson.
And if you want to see a church that is actively involved in the community this is the one.
“McDonald UMC is community -focused, striving to stay abreast of community needs,” Graham noted. “The church supports and participates in various community-sponsored events that ensure connectivity and a healthy relationship with all citizens. Our United Women of Faith ministry have created a spiritual environment that works outside the walls of the church.”
Rev. Astra Robinson
And within the walls of the church training the future generations there are plenty of activities.
“Children and youth are encouraged to participate in seasonal programs and community initiatives. Our youth are instrumental in administering the Acolyte ministry for all worship services. We also have a 12 Tribes of Israel program annually in December which is sponsored by the Methodist men,” Graham said.
“We have a monthly fellowship meal. We also have weekly Bible study. Our United Women of Faith sponsors a Ladies Brunch annually and other programs throughout the year. Our 162 Church Anniversary is set for March 15 at 2:30.”
Graham said that the active congregation consists of mostly middle aged and senior adult members.
“The church consists of several families with deep roots at McDonald and a passion to remain viable and a beacon of hope for future generations. A percentage of the young adult population are residing in other cities/
states in pursuit of career opportunities; but this young age group support our church because it is still home,” she said.
In all the ministries the church takes part in the main focus is to share the gospel of Jesus.
“The Bible verse God uses to encourage us the most is John 3:16,” said Graham. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
And they accomplish this sharing of the gospel through opening their hearts and their doors to the community at large.
“We are a small congregation that loves everyone and has an open door to our community for community programs. Current leadership has a strong passion to be a church on a mission to help save souls and be visible in our community.
“Pastor Robinson’s vision is to lead McDonald UMC in a way that teaches servant stewardship and service in our community and in our church to be better servants in our community and our church.”
Maple Drive Presbyterian Church
A gospel centered church fueling believers
REGINA BUTLER BY
Back in 1983 a group of Presbyterian leaders banded together to establish Maple Drive Presbyterian Church here in Pontotoc. That group included Bruce McCoy, Ben Hogans, Reginald Odom, Kenneth Galloway and Calvin Rackley. Pastor Craig Jones has been serving as pastor since April of 2019.
“I came as student minister in January of that year, then moved into the role of full time pastor in late April,” Jones said. And right from the start he learned just how much of an open heart the small congregation has.
“Maple Drive is a warm, welcoming and loving church. When people talk about us they say we are warm and welcoming. We are a family. We teach the Bible in Sunday school and worship service.”
“We equip the saints for the work of the ministry,” said church member Bruce McCoy. Long time member David Anderson said, “We don’t want to be a reservoir of truth, we want to be a stream.” In other words truth isn’t to be stored up but spread abroad to the people.
And if you want to know another reason they are warm it is because the church has a fire place that the embers glow in on cold or wet days.
“A lot of people who visit say they remember our fireplace,” said David Anderson.
When the church began the people met in the Masonic Lodge until they could build a building, which they were able to do within two years.
They moved into the new building in 1985.
“We used it as our fellowship hall and sanctuary and Sunday school for a number of years,” said McCoy.
And then the church was patient. In fact, they were 25 years patient. Funds were gathered over the years and the sanctuary that holds some 100 people was built in 2010. “We built it with very little debt,” McCoy said. “We paid it off in a year.”
The original members of Maple Drive Presbyterian church initially came out of the First Presbyterian for Biblical reasons.
“God called us out of PCA,” said McCoy. “It was because of the scriptural aspect of what they stood for. We did not have any falling out with the members of the other congregation and we didn’t leave in an ill will.”
For the first months the fledgling church had visiting pastors that came and filled the pulpit.
“And then we called Don Howe as the first full time pastor,” McCoy noted.
Others who have filled in over the years include Dean Patterson and Charles Covington.
“We started with 26 members in 1983 and have grown heavily since then. We have an attendance of between 50 to 60 and if everyone was here at the same time we would have 75,” Anderson said.
“We have a good mix of young and old in our congregation. We have a bunch of younger children coming up,” he added.
And though this church might be small in number the most important mission they have is prayer.
“We have an extensive prayer list,” said Anderson. “And many of them are not members here.”
Sometimes ministering to a small congregation as a pastor has its own special set of challenges.
“A verse that the church solidly stands on is Colossians 1:28 ‘Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.’
“There is this balance of being a people pleaser [not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings] and telling the truth,” said Jones. “My primary goal is that we may be mature.”
“We are a gospel centered church,” McCoy stressed. “It is important fuel for the believer knowing Christ does everything. Believers need the gospel every day just as non-believers do.”
Over the past three years the young pastor has had his share of heartache. “My wife, Jennifer is going through a battle of colon cancer. The people in this church have cared for our family and the broader community has stepped up to support us and our three children through this.”
The couple’s children are Olivia who is 14; Daniel who is 9 and Ellie who is five.
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said he would like to see the church continue to increase in number. “We built that sanctuary to hold 90 something back in 2010 I hope we have to build another one. The people who have come in feel right at home with those who have been here for awhile.”
McCoy said he wants to see the church always be a place that anyone can come and feel at home.
“I see this and want to continue to see us as a church that welcomes everyone who didn’t fit in,” he said. “We don’t compromise the gospel, but we welcome everyone who wants to come and be helped when they are hurting. The message of the gospel is the one true healing power.”
One special couple the men wanted mentioned is renowned musicians Dr. Christopher and Laura Thompson.
“We allow them to use the church to give lessons and they give us a free concert at Christmas,” said Jones.
And as the young pastor is rightly dividing the word of truth each week he said his greatest joy is “seeing the Spirit at work in the people’s lives and that is an encouragement to all of us.”
Bill Galloway,
the son of church founder, Kenneth Galloway,
