33rd Annual Bloomin’ Festival this weekend will be largest ever
Brother Pachomius Alvarado, OSB spends a great portion of his time in St. Bernard Abbey’s Bakery baking divinely delicious cinnamon raisin bread to sell at this weekend’s 33rd Annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair.
CULLMAN - Preparations are well underway for this year’s Bloomin’...
Saturday event guide: April 15
CULLMAN COUNTY - It's Easter weekend, and the weather is gorgeous. Get out and enjoy one of these fun Saturday events!
As always, if you know of an event we don't, send us an email at news@cullmansense.com. Find all of our events at www.cullmansense.com/calendar.
7 a.m.-2...
Sacred Heart hosts “Living Last Supper”
Knights of Columbus recreate da Vinci’s “Last Supper”
CULLMAN - On Friday evening, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church added to its regular observances of Lent by hosting the Knights of Columbus from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church of Gardendale, who performed a “Living Last Supper.”
The...
Egg hunters illuminate the night at Fairview Town Park
FAIRVIEW - More than 150 people gathered at Fairview Town Park Saturday night for what First Baptist Church of Fairview hopes to make an annual event: the Fairview Community Flashlight Easter Eggstravaganza.
Festivities began at 7 p.m. at the park and included food, drinks, door...
Local Catholics mark 1-year anniversary of the passing of Mother Angelica
Actor Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," pays his respects to Mother Angelica. (Photo: EWTN)
HANCEVILLE - She was born Rita Rizzo in 1923, but very few people know that name today. In 1944 she became Sister Mary Angelica...
Sacred Heart UN-Gala: different clothes, same good cause
Sacred Heart School Principal Greg Hughes
CULLMAN - On Saturday evening, Sacred Heart School (SHS) held its eighth annual Legacy Gala at Stone Bridge Farms’ Browne Stone Centre. Previously a formal soiree, this year's event went casual, earning it the self-styled title of the "un-gala."
While...
Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday: what are they?
CULLMAN - This week, you may see and hear some things that are a little out of the ordinary around town: people wearing more beads than usual (especially purple, green and gold), churches serving pancakes for supper, and folks going about with sooty smudges...
Etha Baptist hosts BBQ to raise mission funds
Back (L-R): Shane Rusk, Danny Baker, Wess Glispie, Shay Brown and MiKayla Hadley
Front (L-R): Jo Anna Brown and Jasmine Rusk
Other volunteers not pictured: Johnathan Shofner, Sherry Swindall and Ilen Gutherie
CULLMAN - Members of the Etha Baptist Church on Friday held the first of...
Profiles in Faith: Hearts for missions at Etha Baptist Church
2016 mission trip to Nicaragua
CULLMAN - Etha Baptist Church can be a little hard to find: it has a Cullman address, but is located about midway between Fairview and Eva. It may be a challenge to figure out where they are, but the people...
Trinity Lutheran Church welcomes new associate pastor
Rev. Dr. Carl L. Beckwith and family
HANCEVILLE - On Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, Trinity Lutheran Church in Hanceville installed and welcomed their new associate pastor, Rev. Dr. Carl L. Beckwith. The service was officiated by Trinity’s Senior Pastor, Rev. John Jankens and the Rite...
Northbrook Baptist Church hosting trip to Creation Museum
CULLMAN - May 1-5 a group led by Northbrook Baptist Church Director of Senior Adults Wade Maynard will head out to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky.
The total cost of the trip, including the $200 registration fee, due at sign-up, is $499. That price...
Temple Baptist Church- new Fairview campus
Attendees leave church on Jan. 22.
FAIRVIEW - Temple Baptist Church in Cullman has expanded their ministry to a new campus in Fairview, and the Tribune sat down with Campus Administrative Pastor Buchanan Jackson to see what this new branch has in store.
Buchanan says...
Northbrook Baptist Church lends a helping hand through the Caring Center
CULLMAN - Chances are that if you live in Cullman you have driven by Northbrook Baptist Church. You may know of the church, you may attend the church or you may simply know it as “the one with the fountain out front.” But what...
Youth Explosion “No Limits” tour swings through Cullman
Members of Christian Soldiers Ministries
CULLMAN - Despite below-freezing temperatures, the Youth Explosion "No Limits" tour went on in Cullman this weekend at the Cullman Civic Center. The tour is part of a ministry that helps provide goods and services to families and children living...
Profiles in Faith: Oak Level Baptist Church
OLBC Pastor Rev. Etsel Riddle
BERLIN/HOLLY POND - In the Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated East Cullman Baptist Association, there are 53 churches. Among the smallest is a tiny little congregation between Berlin and Holly Pond called Oak Level Baptist Church (OLBC). If you saw the statistics...
From the church on Christmas Eve…
CULLMAN - At Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in downtown Cullman, one of the most treasured and anticipated traditions of the season features its children: the annual Christmas Eve Children's Mass, featuring the Christmas Pageant. Children from the church and school put on their...
Christmas through the eyes of a child: Children’s Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
The cast at the dress rehearsal Thursday afternoon
CULLMAN - Almost every church, be it high church or low church, traditional or contemporary, from the classical parish hall to the rented storefront, has its Christmas traditions. This time of year, we see "hanging of the...
Giving Back: Good Hope leaders serve Thanksgiving dinner to their community
Councilman Taft Dillashaw, Coach Alan Scott and members of the GHHS football team wash dishes.
Tribune reporter W.C. Mann shares his experience at yesterday's eighth annual Good Hope Community Thanksgiving Meal.
GOOD HOPE - In the Bible we are told, "The greatest among you will...
St. John’s 2016 Grover Reeves’ Community Thanksgiving Day Meal today at 11 a.m.
CULLMAN - More than 100 volunteers and approximately 30 drivers will serve 80 turkeys, gallons of dressing, vats of cranberry sauce and mountains of Cullman sweet potatoes today at St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church in Cullman.
An army of volunteers and the Community Thanksgiving Meal...
Gospel Music Hall of Fame members, The Nelons, join Michael English and friends for SING Christmas Tour 2016 in Trinity, AL
TRINITY - The SING Christmas Tour 2016 is coming to Trinity Baptist Church in Trinity, Alabama, located at 1281 Old Highway 24, on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 pm.
Multi Dove Award-winning and Grammy-nominated recording artists, The Nelons and Michael English represent more than 75...
Light the Night attracts more than 400
Syvella Johnson, with her daughters Chloe and Morgan
CULLMAN - Church at the Well hosted its first Halloween Light the Night at the Link of Cullman County on Monday night. Over the course of the evening, more than 400 trick or treaters and others stopped...
Hanceville Fall Fest sees influx of thousands Sunday afternoon
HANCEVILLE - Hanceville’s sixth annual Fall Fest took place Sunday afternoon, with hordes of people filling the downtown streets. Early estimates are that there were at least 3,000 people, many of whom were in costumes to celebrate Halloween. The festival was centered around Hanceville...
East Side Baptist Church Fall Festival: reaching beyond the walls
CULLMAN - East Side Baptist Church (ESBC) held its annual Fall Festival Saturday afternoon. ESBC has been holding these festivals for years at the church, but planners decided to make a change this time around, moving the event to East Side/Lions Club Park on...
Praying for peace and mercy
Participants gathered at Hamby Park in Hanceville at noon Saturday for the third annual Rosary Rally.
HANCEVILLE - Concerned citizens gathered for a rally Saturday in Hanceville, but there were no banners with elephants or donkeys, no yard signs with candidates' names, no T-shirts with...
Senior Dedication held at Saint Bernard Prep
Pictured: First row, (left to right): Lene Li, Anna Preusentanz, Katelyn Cowie, Morgan Matz, Isabella Cline, Anna Myers, Abbot Cletus Meagher, Christian Garcia, Sarah Anna McCarthy, Caitlyn Norman, Casey Guthery and Jalen Lee. Second row: Headmaster, Daniel Baillargeon, Sherry Wu, Hyeri Lee, Edson Silva,...
Saturday Event Guide- Oct. 8
It's a jam-packed October Saturday!
We've highlighted many of the fun events going on around the area. Events are listed below, but be sure to click on the links for full details! Have a great weekend!
☼ Oktoberfest 2016: Sacred Heart School Street Sale and Festival
https://tockify.com/cullmansense/detail/144/1475924400000
☼...
Oktoberfest 2016: Annual Combined Community Choirs Concert set for Sunday at Sacred Heart
CULLMAN - Once again, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Cullman is hosting the annual Oktoberfest Combined Community Choirs Concert, as the highly anticipated fall celebration of the community's German heritage begins. The free musical event will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday,...
Wallace State’s Campus Ministries conducts “See You at the Pole” gatherings at both campuses
Image: Wallace State nursing student Jay Terry led Wednesday’s “See You at the Pole” session, leading a devotion and the opening prayer.
HANCEVILLE - Wallace State’s Campus Ministries hosted an opportunity Wednesday for students and employees to congregate at the college’s flag pole in observance...
2nd Annual Caring for Cullman Concert set for Sept. 19
CULLMAN - Christian music, country and Broadway fans will be delighted to know that local artists, Eric Bennett and Paige Harbison, will be performing at this year’s second annual Caring for Cullman Concert, brought to you by the Good Samaritan Health Clinic. Save the...
2nd Annual Caring for Cullman Concert set for Sept. 19
CULLMAN - Christian music, country and Broadway fans will be delighted to know that local artists, Eric Bennett and Paige Harbison, will be performing at this year’s second annual Caring for Cullman Concert, brought to you by the Good Samaritan Health Clinic. Save the...
Local couple adopting 3 children from Congo; business holding fundraiser to support them
For couples who are struggling with why God would not let them have children, we think the better question to ask is what children has God already prepared for you to have? Be open to what God wants to do in your life and...
Pancakes, pencils and prayers
Photo: Little Eva Alvarado will be able to start kindergarten with plenty of school supplies thanks to the Pancakes, Pencils and Prayers event at Good Hope Baptist Church Saturday morning.
This event today has been unbelievable and also very humbling, especially in times like right...
Vinemont children enjoy a back-to-school bash
This is two churches coming together to hand out free school supplies and let the kids have some fun before they have to start back to school.”
Jamie Johnson
VINEMONT – Area children enjoyed a back-to-school bash at the Vinemont Scout House on Friday evening. There...
New “Twenty-Four Seven” Bible study for grades 7-12
Photo shows Bible study organizer, Noah Carpenter.
CULLMAN - Local community member Noah Carpenter has created Twenty-Four Seven – a Bible study - which he hopes will be a place “to help students learn to have a relationship with God twenty-four hours, seven days a...
Rock Creek Mission – God’s “floating church”
Church services are very casual and there’s a good mix of adults, youth and at least 2-3 dogs.”
Carol Poupore
SMITH LAKE - Located on the banks of Alabama’s scenic Smith Lake, Rock Creek Mission provides a place of worship for those who are on vacation or away...
Profiles in Faith: Devin Wyman
CULLMAN - Devin Wyman is not your typical former football player. Yes, he played at a high level in college. Yes, he made it to the NFL. Yes, he played with one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever take the field (Tom Brady) when...
Mixing faith with sports
CULLMAN - “The vision is to see the world impacted by Christ through sports.” These were the words spoken by Northeast Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes Director of Campus Ministries Matt Herring when asked about the FCA following a full day of sports camp...
Profiles in Faith: Karen Cook, pastor at Cook Ministries
Unfortunately, 20 years in the funeral industry never prepared me for my brother’s death.”
Karen Cook
CULLMAN – Sometimes we tend to overlook the things our brothers and sisters say to us, not giving their words a second thought, but when Karen Cook’s brother, Johnny, spoke,...
Community mourns the loss of Mr. Leo Schwaiger, Jr.
My life was made a little fuller because of his friendship and what he helped me see in myself and others.”
Kevin Daugherty
CULLMAN – This week Cullman lost one of its very special citizens, Mr. Leo Schwaiger Jr. Schwaiger was a dedicated family man, devout...
Heritage Park fireworks festival goes off with a boom
CULLMAN - Desperation Church and the City of Cullman teamed up for their annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks show at Heritage Park tonight. Lasting 16 minutes, the fireworks show was appreciated by the many people inside the park, along the sidewalks and...
15th Annual Fairview Area-Wide Freedom Celebration held tonight
FAIRVIEW – Hundreds backed in and parked their vehicles around Fairview Community Park this Independence Day to watch the community’s annual fireworks display and take part in the 15th Annual Fairview Area-Wide Freedom Celebration.
Families rolled out picnic blankets and lit sparklers in anticipation of...
Fireworks over Garden City
GARDEN CITY - Garden City First Baptist Church hosted its annual, family-friendly fireworks celebration at Garden City Park this evening, where they provided fun for kids of all ages. Inflatables were available for children, along with games of cornhole and tug of war. The...
Divine Mercy Retreat July 8-10 at The Shrine
HANCEVILLE – Everyone is invited to The Divine Mercy Retreat - The Closeness of God given by Father John Paul Mary Zeller, MFVA. The retreat will take place the weekend of July 8-10 at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville.
Father John Paul Mary is...
Temple Baptist Church hosts free field day at Old Nesmith Park
CULLMAN - On Saturday, the student ministry at West Point’s burgeoning Temple Baptist Church held a field day, which was the culmination of a week of outreach within Cullman County, according to Youth Pastor Andrew Heptinstall.
“This field day came out of what we were...
Addington Chapel UMC clothes closet available to those in need
BREMEN - Most churches have outreach programs that specialize in helping members of their local communities in times of need. Addington Chapel United Methodist Church in Bremen is no exception.
The church makes free clothing available to people, parishioners or non-parishioners alike, on the fourth...
Addiction: Christ-centered recovery, part 4
CULLMAN - With addiction numbers soaring throughout the country and locally, it is estimated that over one in ten Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. Mind you, those numbers do not include those who are addicted to gambling, food or sex.
The Zero Addiction...
2016 Vacation Bible School listing
Cullman-area Vacation Bible School listings, as of June 3. If we've missed one, please let us know at news@cullmansense.com.
Antioch Baptist Church
June 26 - July 1
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
256-796-8507
827 County Road 1659
Cullman, AL 35058
Berlin Baptist Church
June 12 - June 15
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
256-734-1019
3596 US...
14-year-old Lexie York claims God is bigger than cancer
I don’t know why you get so worked up. God told me I’m going to be fine; cancer is not going to kill me.”
Lexie York
CULLMAN - Meet Lexie York, a beautiful 14-year-old girl who is in the fight of her life. In October 2015...
Agriplex hosts Sweet Potato Drop, volunteers bag more than 9,000 pounds of potatoes for local agencies
CULLMAN - Saturday morning over 60 volunteers showed up to help with the North Alabama Agriplex’s Sweet Potato Drop event. Volunteers bagged potatoes to be distributed to local agencies.
The event was the Agriplex’s second of this nature so far this year, the first being...
Ground Zero Men’s Conference held at Wallace State Saturday morning
With the conference, our goal, locally, is to try to motivate men to be engaged and get back involved in their families, get back involved with their kids and their community and do whatever they need to do to be leaders.”
Sen. Paul Bussman
HANCEVILLE -...
Mother Angelica Passes on Easter Sunday
Faith is what gets you started. Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what brings you to the end."
Mother Angelica
HANCEVILLE - The Catholic Church as well as many others are mourning today the loss of Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, foundress of...
Hundreds Gather at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament for the Stations of the Cross Performed Live by the Cenacolo Community
It just tore my heart to pieces to see what all he went through, what he did for us, what he did for me; I’m nobody.”
attendee Jason Hicks, on Christ
HANCEVILLE - On Friday, March 18, the Cenacolo Community performed the Living Stations of the...
St. Bernard Abbey: Br. Linus Klucsarits Ordained as Deacon
Photo: Br. Linus lies prostrate before the altar as the Litany of Saints is sung.
CULLMAN - Br. Linus Klucsarits returned home briefly from his studies at St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana to be ordained a transitional deacon in the Catholic Church by...
The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project’s Twesigwe Jackson Kaguri
We believe we are all one human family created by God, born equally, and have a duty to help one another.”
the first operating philosophy and guiding principle for the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project
CULLMAN - On Friday evening, March 4, Rachel Dawsey, director of the...
Peter Nassetta, Deacon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Many young people find themselves disinterested in attending church when they get away from home, but that never happened to me.”
Peter Nassetta
Photo: Deacon Peter Nassetta poses with his grandchildren after Mass.
CULLMAN - Deacons play a very important role in the Catholic Church because they...
Desperation Church Small Groups: The Sisterhood
Photo shows The Sisterhood, a small group that meets on Thursday nights at different members' homes.
CULLMAN - Before making it through the door of a welcoming home on Thursday night in Cullman, the air was filled with the sound of laughter and joy. As...
Mikey Tanner, Children’s Pastor at Renovation Church
Our church is incredible and our vision is simple: Love, Lead, Connect. We meet people right where they are just like Jesus did.”
Mikey Tanner, children’s pastor
VINEMONT - At Renovation Church in Vinemont, their passion is to provide a place where people can have a life-changing experience...
Justin Truett, Youth Pastor at Simcoe Worship Center
I'm just crazy in love with Jesus and the people that he created to love him and serve him! I just hope that the JOY that God has given me will rub off onto others!”
Justin Truett, youth pastor
Photo shows Chelsea and Justin Truett.
SIMCOE - Even...
Donny Yarbrough, Pastor of Sardis Baptist Church
I am blessed to pastor Sardis Baptist Church in Trimble. They placed their faith in me as a young and inexperienced pastor in December of 2008 and made it official in March of 2009.”
Donny Yarbrough, Pastor
TRIMBLE - Sardis Baptist Church was founded by settlers...
Youth Pastor Justin Truett Speaks About Yesterday’s Fire at Simcoe Worship Center
I truly believe with all my heart that this will NOT have a devastating impact on our youth ministry. We believe that everything that happens - the good, the bad and the ugly - happens so that MANY PEOPLE will see the goodness and...
Jeremy Crowe, Future Youth Pastor of Cullman Church of Christ
I want Cullman Church of Christ to be a place where we can watch our teens learn to serve the needs of others, grow in their understanding of who God is and what God is at work doing in this world.”
Jeremy Crowe
CULLMAN - Cullman...
Garret Taylor of Christians Living Proof Ministries
The most rewarding moments in my ministry is (sic) when I see people who have lost everything to addiction receiving salvation through reconciliation. Jesus restores everything, like it never happened.”
– Garret Taylor, pastor
CULLMAN - Christians Living Proof Ministries is a group of people seeking...
Chris Pettit, Development Pastor at Life Church
When you come to our church, you won’t feel judged. We are all in the same boat. What you will find is hope for a better life in Christ.”
Chris Pettit
HANCEVILLE – Life Church in Hanceville is all about helping people move beyond their pasts...
Malcolm Carter II, Pastor of Temple Baptist Church
In America, the Christian Church is losing ground; we need to be working together to win souls in these last days.”
Malcolm Carter
CULLMAN – There is never a dull moment at Temple Baptist Church. Their worship services are exciting, energetic and inspiring. The messages are...
Dale Banks, Pastor of Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church
Mountain View Baptist has been a great blessing to me. From the beginning, my wife and I noticed how loving and caring the church is, and not just to the church family, but to anyone in need.”
Dale Banks, pastor
CULLMAN – From the moment you...
Jared Folks of Faith Baptist Church Vinemont
VINEMONT — Faith Baptist Church Vinemont has a long and rich history. Since its humble beginning in August 1971, the church has been engaged in ongoing and inspirational mission work both locally and around the world. The congregation truly believes in sharing the good...
Local Church in Need of Piano Player
You see, we’re a small church. We’re like a country church inside the city.”
Emily Sparks, pastor of Voice of Victory Church of God
CULLMAN – According to Emily Sparks, the Voice of Victory Church of God needs a little help from the community. She should...
Pastor Rick Davis of Living Water Baptist Church, the Church for the Un-churched
We want to reach the lost and un-converted using the Gospel and the good news that Jesus paid for. Secondly, we want to instill in our members the ministry of ‘restoration’.”
Rick Davis, Pastor at Living Water Baptist Church
HANCEVILLE — Hanceville's new Living Water Baptist...
Understanding the Priesthood of Jesus Christ
We are in a teaching on a new and better covenant, and in this we need to understand the priesthood of Jesus Christ. We have a High Priest that covers us, who allows us to come out and do what we do in the...
Cullman Primary School Participates in National Day of Prayer
CULLMAN — On Wednesday, September 23, students, teachers and parents from Cullman Primary School participated in the 2015 ‘See You at the Pole’ prayer event. The group gathered together at the flagpole in front of the school and prayed for their teachers, their students and...
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament’s Fr. Joseph M. Wolfe
The church is perfect UNTIL you put people in it. We are all ‘under construction’ and need to grow daily in our conversion to God by letting Him continue His work in us each day.”
Fr. Joseph M. Wolfe, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
HANCEVILLE...
Kenneth Terry, Pastor of Soul’s Harbor Free Will Baptist Church
By all accounts I should not be in the ministry if you consider my lowly beginning — But God knew all the time his plan for my life!”
Kenneth Terry, Pastor of Soul's Harbor Free Will Baptist Church
VINEMONT — Growing one's faith in the Lord...
Destiny Church’s Fred and Janice Rivers
God has a plan for our lives. It’s a wonderful plan, to do good to us and to give us hope and a future.”
Fred Rivers, Pastor of Destiny Church
CULLMAN — Destiny Church's mission is simple; connect people to God's Plan. The church is doing...
Dr. Stan Graves, Pastor of One New Man Church
One of the things that my wife and I have discovered is that the greatest rewards in ministry started when we stopped focusing on building a ministry and started focusing on building people through relationships.”
Dr. Stan Graves, Minister
CULLMAN – Dr. Stan and Myra Graves of...
Jimmy Peyton, Pastor of Welti Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Considering the present state of our world, it is a challenge to remain a positive and yet truthful leader for God's people.”
Jimmy Peyton, Pastor of Welti Cumberland Presbyterian Church
WELTI – Welti Cumberland Presbyterian Church has been a part of the Welti community since 1901....
Greg Leonard, Pastor of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church
This beautiful little country church, with its rich history, became our family's new passion. We started by cleaning around the grounds and worked our way inside. Each week we did a little more in the building and in the community.”
Pastor Greg Leonard, Jones Chapel...
Overcoming the Spirit of Unbelief: Resolving to Believe the Word of God
TThere were two spirits that marveled Jesus. One was the spirit of unbelief, and the other was the spirit of faith. Those are the two spirits that operate in the lives of human beings all the time. Until you decide and make up in...
Dr. Stanley Kilgore, Pastor of Center Grove Baptist Church
My biggest challenge is to help people to see that we live in a changing culture. Our message that ‘Christ loves all and is ready to save all who will come to Him’ must remain the same.”
Dr. Stanley Kilgore, Pastor of Center Grove Baptist...
Divino Niño Weekend To be Held at Shrine Sept. 5-6
This is our biggest event and the second year for it, so we are very excited!”
Jennifer Prybyla, Assistant Director of Pilgrimages
HANCEVILLE – The Nuns of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament invite the public to join...
Tim Collier, Pastor of Lonesome Dove Cowboy Church
CULLMAN – Cullman County is home to a variety of unique churches, but there is one that is different from any other. Lonesome Dove Cowboy Church believes in sharing God's love by using their Western and cowboy heritage so that all may come to...
Religious Spotlight: G.T. Robertson, Pastor of Emeus Baptist Church
The hand of God at work within the church is evidence of His presence and always works to increase our faith and belief in Him and His Word.”
G.T. Robertson, Pastor of Emeus Baptist Church
LOGAN – The congregation at Emeus Baptist Church, as with many...
August to be a Busy Month for the Shrine’s Lourdes Grotto
Bishop Robert Baker has been extremely encouraging and instrumental in helping this Grotto to be a place which has enriched the spiritual lives of those in his Diocese and all who visit the Shrine.”
Jennifer Prybyla, Assistant Director of Pilgrimages
HANCEVILLE – The month of August will...
Religious Spotlight: Cori Lewis, Pastor at Cullman Church of Christ
I was the kind of person whose voice would crack and I'd get all sweaty if I was asked to lead a prayer in front of a small group of people.”
Cori Lewis, Pastor at Cullman Church of Christ
CULLMAN – Cullman is home to a...
Religious Spotlight: Heath Tinker, Pastor at Simcoe Worship Center
Jesus commanded us to go make disciples, having the honor of being a part of that, it is sometimes overwhelming.”
Pastor Heath Tinker, Simcoe Worship Center
SIMCOE – Simcoe Worship Center's congregation has one vision, one goal, and one mission - to reach this lost world...
Religious Spotlight: Church212’s Pastor Chris Harrison
My grandfather, Pastor Holbrooks, was the second pastor of the First Baptist Church in Cullman back in the late 1800s. So my spiritual heritage in this town is rich and long standing.”
Chris Harrison, Lead Pastor of Church212
CULLMAN – Church212 is a new-generation church that connects...
Religious Spotlight: Meet Al Barton, Pastor of Ole Time Way Baptist Church
There are many rewarding moments (in preaching) but by far the most rewarding is when I help lost souls get to know Jesus as their personal Savior!”
Brother Al Barton, Ole Time Way Baptist Church
CULLMAN – Ole Time Way Baptist Church, located on Hwy 157...
Religious Spotlight: New Prospect Baptist Church’s Brother Kyle Ellison
People are confused, and it’s hard to earn their trust, but we do all within our power to give the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.”
Brother Kyle Ellison, New Prospect Church
CULLMAN – The people at New Prospect Baptist Church are fortunate to have such...
Religious Profile: Daystar Church’s Pastor Jerry Lawson
Although I developed a deep relationship with God as a teenager, I never wanted to be a preacher."
Pastor Jerry Lawson, Daystar Church
CULLMAN – Jerry Lawson is a familiar face at Daystar Church and with good reason – he is their beloved pastor and one...
Religious Spotlight: Reverend John Bussman of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
There's nothing like being the instrument through which God brings a little child or an adult into His Church.”
John Bussman, Pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
CULLMAN – For the past three years, John Bussman has been the sole pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church....
Religious Spotlight: Mitchell Williams, Pastor of First United Methodist Church
The tornadoes of 2011 wrecked some of our building, especially the sanctuary, but we recovered with unity, grace and joy."
Mitchell Williams, Pastor of First United Methodist Church Cullman
CULLMAN – Meet Mitchell Williams, pastor of Cullman's First United Methodist Church. He deeply enjoys leading his...
Religious Spotlight: Faith Tabernacle Church’s Brother Lummie Speakman
I consider the biggest challenge would be seeing so many people pass up the opportunity the God of Heaven has given them.”
Brother Lummie Speakman of Faith Tabernacle Church
CULLMAN – Faith Tabernacle Church, located on 4th Street SW in Cullman, was originally established in 1968....
Religious Spotlight: Meet Steve Britt, Pastor of Northbrook Baptist Church
My biggest challenge as leader of the church is to understand why God would allow someone like me to know and serve someone like Him.”
Steve Britt, Pastor at Northbrook Baptist Church.
CULLMAN – Northbrook Baptist Church is a beautiful place to attend church. The exquisite atmosphere...
Religious Spotlight: Sandy Niiler, Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church
I grew up in a somewhat conservative, traditional family, so even the idea of preaching was foreign to me.”
Sandy Niiler, Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church
CULLMAN – Mrs. Sandy Niiler is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church. Always active in the church and community she continually...
Religious Spotlight: Meet Dr. Ralph Andrews – Pastor of Good Hope Baptist Church
My number one priority is preaching. Preaching is not only something that I enjoy doing, it is what God has called me to do.”
Dr. Ralph Andrews, Pastor of Good Hope Baptist Church
GOOD HOPE – Please allow me to introduce Dr. Ralph Andrews, pastor of...
Religious Spotlight: Seventh Street Baptist Church’s Pastor Eric Martin
Seventh Street has been through difficult times in the past. I have challenged our people to take down the rearview mirror and not look back. It is a new day at Seventh Street!”
Eric Martin, Pastor at Seventh Street Baptist Church
CULLMAN – Cullman is full of...
Religious Spotlight: Meet Mark Sanford, Pastor of Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene
Baptizing people, praying with people, or just having honest conversations about what God is doing in their lives has to be the most rewarding part of pastoring.”
Mark Sanford, Pastor of Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene
CULLMAN – Mark K. Sanford is the senior and founding...
Religious Spotlight: Meet Grace Community Church’s Pastor Samuel Tucker
I surrendered to God's call to preach at the age of seventeen. I started pastoring Antioch Baptist Church near Fairview at twenty years of age.”
Samuel Tucker, Interim Pastor at Grace Community Church
CULLMAN – Cullman County is located deep within the heart of the Bible...
Ashley Tankersley: Living the Life of a Pastor’s Wife
I have always been involved in church, even before I got married I was involved in VBS and was a children’s Sunday school teacher. I always knew I was going to marry a youth pastor.”
Ashley Tankersley, Youth Pastor’s Wife
CULLMAN – This week’s Religious Spotlight takes a...
Desperation Church Transforms Closet into Kitchen for Cullman Police
Our department will be forever grateful to the members and staff of Desperation Church. They are truly taking the love of Christ to Cullman.”
Craig Green, Assistant Chief of Police
CULLMAN – Cullman City Police received a nice surprise recently when members of Desperation Church converted...
Religious Spotlight: Meet Bo Edmonds
For me, the biggest challenge of being a church leader is the changing culture and society and dealing with those changes; to be uncompromising in a compromising world.”
Bo Edmonds, Preacher and Evangelist
CULLMAN – Cullman County is full of religious people from all different denominations....
