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About The Oglethorpe echo. (Crawford, Ga.) 1874-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2025)
Thursday, October 9, 2025 THE OGLETHORPE Echo Page 9 Delbra Kendrick COMMUNITY CALENDAR Delivering Gifts Never get tired of preaching the word UPCOMING EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie Kendrick, the pastor of St. John Church in Crawford, wrote this column. I was born and raised in Crawfordville to the parents of the late Willie Roger and the late Clara Pearl Kend rick. I was the fifth son of six children, all boys. Today, only three are alive. I was very athletic and played basketball, base- ball and ran track for Murden High School. After high school, I went to Federal City College in Washington, D.C. And after college, I started working for People Drug Store Inc. as an assistant manager. After the death of my father, I moved back to Craw fordville to care for my mother. I found a job and be gan working as a park ranger at A.H.Stephens State Park. In 1978, I met and married the late Katie Harris, and together we had three children: Brian L., Latasha and Claudia. After the passing of my mother and wife, I started excessively using alcohol to cope with the loss of my loved ones. During my battle with alcohol, I had my ups and down. Like the prodigal son in the Bible, I squandered away, not only my money, but with my life. I ended up in a rehabilitation center. Thanks to my best friend’s mother, the late Clarice Armstrong, who not only bought all the things I need ed and also took me to Penfield Addiction Center to get me the help I needed to change my life. That’s one of the reasons I love going to Penfield, to share my testimony in hopes of saving someone else’s life. After leaving Penfield, I started going to Craw fordville Holiness Church. It was there, Mother Lillian Terrell told me when I was a teenager, “You gone be a preacher.” Although preaching was not what I wanted to do — I just want ed to go to church and be happy — but I found out, there is no peace until you do what the Lord wants you to do. There is no joy in life until you surrender all to God. Two years after she told me that, I was licensed and or dained at the Crawfordville Holiness Church. In 2007, I became pastor of White Chapel Baptist Church in Athens. Every time I get in the pulpit, I’m so thankful that God turned my life around. I’m thankful to Ms. Arm strong for loving me enough to want to help me. I’m thankful for Mother and Pastor William Terrell for see ing the best in me when I couldn’t see it myself. I’m also thankful to Bishop Joseph Simpson for believing in me. Now, there’s a feeling that comes over me, each and every time I stand up to preach, I feel like I’m 10 feet tall because I outgrew my past. Now, I no longer question my calling because I know I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be do ing for the Lord. In 2012, I met my now wife, Delbra Favors-Kend rick, and we were married in 2014. Since then, she has been my helpmate, backbone and my support that I desperately needed to keep me on the growth path. She’s not only an entrepreneur for many years, she’s the mother of two (Danidra and De- ondra), a well-known community activist, recording artist, and is the founder and host of the “War Room Show.” With her leadership position and membership of the St. John Church, I was fortunate to become Interim pastor there for two years before being elected. Through Delbra, I’ve met a lot of influential peo ple in the ministry. We’ve traveled to Crawfordville, throughout Oglethorpe County, Athens-Clarke Coun ty, WXAG 92.7 FM Radio in Athens, WATC 57 TV in Atlanta, South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina, and other states and local areas to expand our ministry in the kingdom. It has been an absolute blessing, and I mean this with all my heart. In 2018, we merged both churches, which we say is one church in two locations: White Chapel in Athens on the second and fourth Sunday and St. John Church on the first and third Sunday, leaving the fifth Sundays open to fellowship with other churches. I challenge all our local churches to fellowship with one another as God has given us the opportunity in the power of His might. It doesn’t matter which denomina tion, or whether you’re black, white, blue or green, it’s important that no one is left behind when Jesus returns. Winning souls for Christ is the ultimate task to min istry. That’s why I can truly say that in my 26 years of preaching the gospel, I’m not tired yet. Community news Be still, God sees you and knows exactly what you need from him. Happy October birthday to Pastor Drakkar Kilpatrick SUBMITTED PHOTO Willie Kendrick is the pastor of St. John Church in Crawford and married to Delbra Favors-Kendrick. CaLENDAR SUBMISSIONS To be included in The Echo's weekly calendar, send details (event or club name, time, date and place, other infor mation) about your meeting or event to editor@oglethor- |peecho.com| Course in Victoria Bryant State Park. A shotgun start is planned for 9 a.m., with check-in at 8 a.m. and group photo at 8:45 a.m. There’s a $400 entry fee for teams of four. Lunch and range balls are included. For more information, go to moas- |pets.com/putts-tor-mutts-2025| Historic Oglethorpe County’s Tom Gresham will share his work and the work of archaeologists in relation to cemeteries at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the library. Ev eryone is invited. The St. Paul Methodist Church family will hold a church reopening dedication service at 2:30 p.m. Sun day, Nov. 16. Pastor Perez Watson will deliver the message. ReGULAR MEETINGS Sr., Danyanita Walker, Fred Bridges, Anita Dalton, Ekow Abraham, Pastor Torenza Gilham, Brenda Fleming, Car ol Robinson, Louise Whitlock, Timothy Porter, Tra cy Townsend, Diane Ballard, Joyce Fleming, Tre Heard, Barbara “Lady B” Sims and Dexter Armstrong. Happy 51st anniversary to Curtis and Neil Strong. We invite you to join the “War Room Show” on Facebook at 7 p.m. Tuesday for a time in the word, great gospel music, encouragement, fun and laughter with your girl, Delbra D. Also, we look for guests to join us by calling 706-202-6707. Our weekly yard sale at St. John Church (632 Craw ford-Smithonia Road, Crawford), will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. We’ve filled the building to capaci ty with couches, loveseats, recliners, chairs, beds, mat tresses, chest of drawers, dressers, entertainment cen ters, coffee tables, end tables, lamps, mirrors, books, dining room tables, sofa tables, home decor, china cab inet, exercise equipment, clothes, shoes, and so much more. Call 706-202-6707 for more information. My husband and myself would like to give a spe cial thanks to Charlotte Williams, Lawanna Day, Missy Williams, Donna Dobbs and Angel Philips for hosting the baby shower for Jimmy and Deondra Hix. You all did a magnificent job with the decoration, games, food, and fellowship. And to the outpouring of beautiful family and friends that showered them with your love and gifts. We will be reminded of how bless ed we are every time we see Baby D in December, all because of you and the things you did. Here is the “War Room Show’s” monthly ministry: ■ Oglethorpe Senior Center, 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13 ■ Heavenly Sunshine Health Services, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 ■ “War Room Show,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 ■ “War Room Show,” 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, United Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Ala bama ■ “War Room Show,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 ■ Heavenly Sunshine Health Services, Wednes day, Oct. 22 ■ “War Room Show,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 Call me at 706-202-6707 for more information. The “War Room Show” annual Christmas Parade in Crawford will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Lineup starts at 11 a.m. Anyone can participate. For more in formation, call 706-202-6707. Big “0” thought for the week: In order to help someone else to be genuine, start with yourself by be ing honest. Greatness is yours. Delbra Kendrick, also known as Delbra Favors & Company, a gospel recording artist, founded the “War Room Show.“ She is the first lady and minister of mu sic at St. John Church, and is the owner and operator of Styles Unlimited Hair Salon. She is married to Pas tor Willie Kendrick, has two daughters, Daindra and Deondra Favors, and three granddogs. Oglethorpe County Rainfall Reporting Network Name (CoCoRaHS Number) Location Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 Pat Kelly (OG-2) Palmetto 0.11 Kevin Hartley (OG-4) Arnoldsville 0.50 Danny Morcom (OG-5) Arnoldsville 0.35 Pete Kalla (OG-7) Sandy Cross 0.36 Paul Webb (OG-10) Lexington 0.29 Wayne Hughes (OG-12) Wolfskin 0.51 Gwen Hirsch (OG-15) Smithonia 0.36 Kathrine Clark (OG-29) Lexington 0.09 Bobby Shinholser (OG-31) Hutchins 0.36 Oglethorpe County average rainfall for the week: 0.35 inches. Athens rainfall for the week: 0.36 inches (typical weekly 0.92). Measurements reported at 7 a.m. Monday. The nominating committee for new officers of the Oglethorpe County Library Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 at the Oglethorpe Library. Field of Worship, a three-day event featuring contemporary Chris tian music, will be held from 4-10 p.m. Oct. 10-12 at 1085 Craw ford-Smithonia Road. Bottled wa ter will be provided. Bring snacks, blankets and lawn chairs. The event is sponsored by Upper Room Ath ens. For more information, contact nowalls@mail.com or 706-590- 3146. The Oglethorpe County Re tired Educators Association (OC REA) will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tues day, Oct. 14 at Countryside Cater ing (20 Busbin Drive, Winterville 30683). To make reservations for lunch, call or text Karen Wamsley at 706-207-2612, or email her at kar- en_wamsley@hotmail.com by noon Oct. 10. The Oglethorpe County Re publican GOP meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Oglethorpe County Library. A meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. The agenda is about turning out the vote for the Public Service commission ers seats for the special election on Nov. 4. Divas Who Win Freedom Cen ter will host a listening session from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday Oct.16 at the Oglethorpe County Library. The mission of Divas is to create pathways and safe places for wom en overcoming substance use disor der, exploitation and survivorship from sex trafficking. The public is invited to attend. The Fall Friends of the Li brary book sale will be held at the Oglethorpe County Library from Oct. 17-Nov. 5. Fresh books will be added every Monday. $5 stuff a bag every Saturday and the last three days (Nov. 3-5). Shop during reg ular library hours. Cash or check only. All proceeds benefit the li brary. For more details, go to Face- book or|oglethorpefol.org| The 15th annual Harmony House Child Advocacy and Sex ual Assault Center Golf Tourna ment will be held Friday, Oct. 17 at Highland Walk Golf Course. The tournament will benefit victims of child physical and sexual abuse, and adult sexual assault and the support services provided for them. The 18- hole best-ball tournament begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The en try fee is $400/team or $100/per- son, and the tournament has a $600 cash prize for the winning team. For more information, go to harmony- |housecacsac.org|or call 706-245- 8700. Bull breeding soundness exams will be held by UGA’s Oglethor pe County Extension at the North east Georgia Livestock haul-in fa cility in Rayle on Monday, Oct. 20. Appointment only. Herd bulls only. Call Shanna Reynolds at 706-743- 8341 to make an appointment. Halloween at the Park Trunk or Treat will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department. Participat ing cars will need to be in the park ing lot by 5:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best trunks. Call the rec department at 706-743-3533 for more information. Friendship Baptist Church will celebrate Pastor Clarence and Sis ter Mearian Burgess’ 26th pastoral anniversary at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. Pastor Robert Finch of Billups Grove Baptist Church will deliver the message. Lunch will be served from 12:30 p.m.-l:30 p.m. Mamie Hillman, director and founder of the Greene County African-American Museum, will speak about the work of the mu seum at the Historic Oglethorpe County meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the library. Everyone is invited. The sixth annual Putts for Mutts golf tournament will be held Nov. 8 at Highland Walk Golf A free food pantry and dia per distribution will be held at the Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria once a month through the end of the year. Here are the dates for food and diapers: Oct. 23, Nov. 20 and Dec. 16. Here are the dates for diapers only: (Oct. 7, Nov. 6, Dec. 4). The time for each distri bution is between 4-6 p.m. those dates. Please park behind OCHS at the Foothills entrance. For more in formation, call Jodie Zeuke at 706- 436-5425 or Shirley Dillard at 706- 540-0785. The Rotary Club of Oglethorpe County meets twice a month (7:30 a.m. second and fourth Fridays of the month) at the Georgia Farm Bu reau in Crawford. The Google Meet site will only be activated by re quest. Please notify Jeff Welch if you would like to attend the meet ing through the Google Meet link. The American Legion Veterans serves breakfast from 8-9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at Post 123 (106 Com er Road). This is open to the public. Storytime with Ms. Beth is held at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the Oglethorpe County Library. The Oglethorpe County Senior Center provides meals and activ ities for anyone 60 years old and older. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Here’s the schedule: ■ Thursday, Oct. 9: Walking bingo; lunch: Cajun chicken, whole wheat rotini, Cajun cream sauce, okra and tomatoes or Korean gar lic pork, white rice, and green beans with sesame vinaigrette. ■ Friday, Oct. 10: Laid Back Friday (You Do You ... Boo!); lunch: New Orleans shrimp, ched- dar grits, okra and tomatoes, corn muffin. ■ Monday, Oct. 13: War Room with Delbra; lunch: Bruns wick stew, cornbread muffin, and peach crisp with pecans or turkey chili with beans, cheddar cheese, wheat crackers, sweet corn. ■ Tuesday, Oct. 14: Bingo; lunch: diced Carolina BBQ chicken, BBQ beans, smoky cider collards, Hawaiian roll; sliced turkey, wheat bread, Swiss cheese, lettuce, mayo, mustard, Italian rotini salad, pineap ple chunks. ■ Wednesday, Oct. 15: Arts and crafts; lunch: chicken tenders, mixed greens, walnut pieces, sea soned croutons, lite Ranch dressing, and mixed fruit sauce. ■ Thursday, Oct. 16: St. Mary’s Home Health and Hospice with Travis Jenkins; lunch: lemon pepper fish, lemon dill sauce, gar lic mashed potatoes, braised col lards, Hawaiian roll or sliced turkey, wheat bread, Swiss cheese, lettuce, mayo, mustard, Italian rotini salad, pineapple chunks. ■ Friday, Oct. 17: Penny pitching; lunch: rustic beef ragu, ca- vatappi pasta, ricotta cheese, herbed chopped broccoli, wheat roll. Come out and see our unique locally made gifts and goodies. 123 E. Main Street, Lexington, GA 30648 Friday 11-2 and Saturday 9-2
