There are reminders all around. Usually, those reminders stem from one’s youth – stories  parents told or things friends did or lessons learned oneself.

It might be a place or a specific type of weather or a familiar-looking face, but memories – those little reminders of life – they have a way of popping up.

East Texas is fortunate to host to a large number of churches. In addition to the noble work of trying to improve the chances of attaining an afterlife, and conducting good works, many local places of worship provide reminders every day. 

Because people are prone to ignore what they see every day, a short list of those reminders is provided below. It is far from a complete list, but it is a good representation. The list was compiled during travels covering various sporting events around the area. The place and date collected is noted as well.

All of them offer something which humans crave but seldom attain – timelessness.    

A Short List

“Heaven rules” – Mineola Christian Fellowship, Hwy. 80, Nov. 3

“If you like our signs, come hear our sermons” – Central Baptist Church, Patten St., Mineola, Nov. 8

“Being kind is never wasted” – First Baptist Church, Johnson St., Mineola (southbound only), Nov. 9

“True peace is knowing God is in control” – Pilgrim’s Rest #2, County Road 2376, Nov. 10

“When you see these things, you will know He is near” – Lake Country Bible Church, Pacific Ave., Mineola, Nov. 29

“Faith comes by healing” – Fruitvale Baptist Church, Hwy. 80 (westbound), Dec. 1

“Brothers what shall we do? – Fruitvale Baptist Church, Hwy. 80 (eastbound) Dec. 1

“The just shall live by faith” – Edgewood Baptist Church, Dec.1

“Clearview Church are zealots for God” – Clearview Church, Hwy. 110 (westbound) Dec. 6

“I will see your goodness in this land” – Fairview, Hwy. 110, Dec. 6

“Let our children see your glory” – Fairview, Hwy. 110, Dec. 12

“The lesson I teach is the life I lead” – House of Prayer, Hwy. 80, Wills Point, Dec. 19

“1 cross + 3 nails = forgiven” – New Horizon Church, Grand Saline, Hwy. 80, Jan. 26  

“Nails didn’t hold Jesus to the cross, love did” – New Hope Baptist Church, Jan. 26

“The year changes, God does not” – Central Baptist Church Mineola, Patten St., Jan. 26

“Man looks outward, God looks inward” – First Assembly of God Church, Hwy. 154, Quitman, Jan. 28

“Jesus: worthy of every song we could ever sing” – Mount Sylvan Baptist Church, Mar. 1

“Walk by faith, not by sight” – Forest Hills Church, Hwy. 37, Mar. 10

“God is love” First United Methodist Church, Winona, Mar. 15

“For peace that lasts, put God first” Dover Baptist Church, Hwy. 110, Mar. 16

“His heart, my hand” – First Baptist Church, Lane St. (westbound), Quitman, Mar. 17

“Whoever comes to me, I will never drive away” – Forest Hill Baptist Church, Hwy. 37, Mar. 17

“Nothing you can confess can make God love you less” – Sharon Baptist Church, Hwy. 37, Winnsboro, Mar. 17

That small sampling of church marquees have something in common. They were all posted on those dated white illuminated boxes onto which one must set the black block letters. 

Amazingly, reading those old boxes is far easier than reading the multi-colored programmable marquees which are beginning to overtake the roadways. And, at night, the old-fashioned marquees are much easier on the eyes. 

The simplicity of display is only rivaled by the simplicity of the messages themselves. 

According to Norma Otwell, who has been at First Assembly of God in Quitman with her husband, Pastor Ken Otwell, for the past 30 years, selection of a proper message requires quite a bit of forethought.

She explained, “We always strive to put up a message of hope. We aim to cause someone to question where God is in their lives today, because he loves you right where you are.”

There is no set schedule by which Otwell changes the message. Rather, she lets herself be guided as to when to change the message and what that new message needs to be.

Always looking for inspiration, Otwell complimented the Sharon Baptist Church just south of Winnsboro for their thought-provoking messages. She noted that their messages can often be the subject of a whole sermon. 

Otwell recounted a favorite which had recently been on the Sharon marquee, “Man knows how many seeds are in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in the seed.”

Those small marquees are also hoped to be an invitation to the local community. For Pastor Chester Burke of Central Baptist Church in Mineola, the signpost is just that. 

Burke explained, “Reaching out to the community and growing the congregation is vital to all churches.” He described the messages as a source of inspiration and a sharing of the word with the community-at-large

 “We are, after all, a community church,” he summarized.