Obion River District Association Celebrates 150 Years

McKENZIE (June 1) — The Obion River District Association, a regional organization of churches headquartered in McKenzie, held its annual Homecoming Sunday evening and marked 150 years of worship and fellowship.

The collective currently includes eleven churches and has at times included over 50 congregations.

Member churches include Greater Enon Missionary Baptist Church and St. John Baptist Church in McKenzie, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Atwood, Reedy Creek Missionary Baptist Church in McLemoresville, Fuller Street Baptist Church in Dresden, New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Milan, Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Humboldt, First Baptist Church North in Trenton, Mount Olive Baptist Church in South Fulton, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Union City and Fairview Baptist Church in Dyer.

The theme of the special service was "We've Come this Far by Faith". Leading the program were URDA Moderator Rev. Terry Fuller, Vice Moderator Nelson Falls and worship leader Fay Hooker.

Dorothy Pruitt of the Salem Baptist Choir sang "I Know I've Been Changed", "I Don't Know Why (I Have To Cry Sometimes)" and "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow".

The sermon was delivered by guest speaker Rev. Leroy Brent of Fairview Baptist Church in Mayfield. He tied the occasion to the 150th and final Psalm, "Praise Ye the Lord," saying "Praise ought to give way to worship. Worship is what binds us together."

Rev. Brent made three points to underscore the strength of the church. One, "The fundamentals are right because the essentials are necessary." Two, "The foundation is sure because the founder is right." And three, "Our future is certain because the facts are clear."

He closed by encouraging everyone to remain an active part of the ORDA.

Others contributing to the program were Owens Taylor, Regina Turner, Daisy Dudley, Willie Hill, Rev. Chris Johnson, Martha Greer, Rev. Daniel Wynne, Rev. Devon Cunningham, Danny Donaldson, William D. Sowell, Lincoln Barnett, Johnnie Moore and Daryl Williams.

Official ORDA staff include Moderator Rev. Terry Fuller, Vice Moderator Rev. Nelson Falls, VP/Secretary Jessie Harrell, Treasurer Felicia Taylor, Financial Secretary Andrea Fuller, President and Dean of Congress Rev. Chris Johnson, President of Ministers Rev. Wade Bryant, President of Laymen Ministry Tommie Hooker, President of Women's Ministry Daisy Dudley, President of Ushers' Ministry Willie M. Hill, Youth Director Regina Turner and Congress Secretary Janice Noel.

Trustees are Tommie Hooker, Michael Tate, Christopher Scates, L.C. Coleman, Edgar Harrell and Daryl Williams.