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New pastor installation set for Greater Middle Baptist Church
NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER — Greater Middle Baptist Church will install the Rev. Rodney Echols Sr. as pastor on Sunday (September 15). Dr. Donald R. Ester, pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, will deliver the address during the installation, which begins at 3 p.m. Rev. Echols received a Master of Divinity degree in 2005 from the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently in the Doctoral Program at Memphis Theological Seminary. He was licensed at Middle Baptist Church Whitehaven under the direction of Dr. Lester Baskin and ordained at New Bethel M. B. Church under Pastor Donald Ester Sr.
By TSD Newsroom
Greater Middle Baptist Church will install the Rev. Rodney Echols Sr. as pastor on Sunday (September 15). Dr. Donald R. Ester, pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, will deliver the address during the installation, which begins at 3 p.m.
Rev. Echols received a Master of Divinity degree in 2005 from the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently in the Doctoral Program at Memphis Theological Seminary. He was licensed at Middle Baptist Church Whitehaven under the direction of Dr. Lester Baskin and ordained at New Bethel M. B. Church under Pastor Donald Ester Sr.
In addition to serving as associate pastor at New Bethel, he taught the Sunday School class of associate ministers.
Echols is a professor at the Tennessee School of Religion, where he teaches Theology and the New Testament. Accredited by the Sunday School Publishing Board, he also teaches in the Zion District Association, and is certified to teach at all levels for the National Baptist Convention, USA.
Prior to his ministry experience, Echols served with the Memphis Police Department and retired as a lieutenant after 25 years of service.
The 188-year-old church, located at 4982 Knight Arnold Rd., was led by the late Rev. Benjamin Lawson Hooks for 52 years. Echols expressed a commitment to building on the faith legacy of Rev. Hooks and the many previous pastors of Greater Middle Baptist Church.
“Every soul that I’ve individually ministered to, I have fallen in love with them. As a whole, I have fallen in love with the congregation and I am committed to caring for them in Christ,” he said.
The installation service theme is “A Servant with A Heart for God and His People.”
Echols is married to Andrea Echols and they are the parents of two adult sons, Rodney and Richard, and three granddaughters.
This article originally appeared in the New Tri-State Defender
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Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance
This video from BlackPressUSATV explores the significance of Juneteenth, focusing on the enduring wisdom of Frederick Douglass. It delves into his powerful perspectives on the vital role of education as a tool for liberation and empowerment. Douglass’s words are presented as a cornerstone for understanding the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of continuous […]
The post Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
This video from BlackPressUSATV explores the significance of Juneteenth, focusing on the enduring wisdom of Frederick Douglass. It delves into his powerful perspectives on the vital role of education as a tool for liberation and empowerment. Douglass’s words are presented as a cornerstone for understanding the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of continuous resistance against oppression.
The content highlights how education and active resistance are intertwined, drawing parallels from historical movements to contemporary challenges. This exploration of Frederick Douglass’s teachings offers valuable insights into the spirit of Juneteenth and its relevance in today’s fight for justice and human rights.
The post Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
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LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 6.19.26 7PM EST
Welcome to Ask Alma LIVE — your go-to livestream for real talk, life advice, and honest answers to the questions everyone is thinking about but not always asking. In this interactive live Q&A, Alma and her guests dive into topics such as relationships, personal growth, decision-making, life challenges, and self-improvement — giving you practical insights […]
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Welcome to Ask Alma LIVE — your go-to livestream for real talk, life advice, and honest answers to the questions everyone is thinking about but not always asking.
In this interactive live Q&A, Alma and her guests dive into topics such as relationships, personal growth, decision-making, life challenges, and self-improvement — giving you practical insights you can actually use. Whether you’re feeling stuck, curious, or just need a fresh perspective, this is where clarity begins.
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Kansas City Launches Juneteenth Season with Parade Along 18th Street
THE COMMUNITY VOICE — Unlike last year, when rain forced organizers to cancel the parade, this year’s event enjoyed pleasant weather and helped launch another busy Juneteenth season in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District.
The post Kansas City Launches Juneteenth Season with Parade Along 18th Street – The Community Voice appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
By The Community Voice
The Kansas City Juneteenth Parade returned to 18th Street on Saturday, June 6, drawing crowds for more than two hours of drill teams, dance groups, car clubs, Greek organizations and community entries. Spectators also got their first chance to experience the new 18th Street pedestrian improvements, with widened sidewalks and seating areas providing a front-row view of the festivities.
Unlike last year, when rain forced organizers to cancel the parade, this year’s event enjoyed pleasant weather and helped launch another busy Juneteenth season in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District.
The post Kansas City Launches Juneteenth Season with Parade Along 18th Street – The Community Voice appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
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