Brief History
The Rising Sun Usher Federation was originally founded in 1944 at the Rising Sun Baptist Church, Pastor C. C. Cathey, by Pastor R. L. Jones and Sister Vernice Williams. The purpose of the Federation was to foster the Kingdom of Christ on earth and to train young people. Pastor T. H. Hibler was chosen as the first president and provided dynamic leadership for the first nine years of the Federation. The Federation lay dormant for a number of years until 1997.
□ April 19, 1997: Pastor Minor looks through the North Mississippi Baptist Education 1992 History Book and takes an interest. The following day, while eating dinner Pastor Minor, speaks with his mother-in-law Earnestine Bennett, former secretary, about the Usher Federation.
□ May 26, 1997: Pastor Minor and Pastor Montgomery discuss the possibility of re-constituting the Federation.
□ February 14, 1998: At Second Eudora, the constitution was adopted and officers elected: President – Pastor Bernard Montgomery; Vice – President – Vacant; Secretary – Sis. Joanne Wright; Lady Chief – Sis. Pearl Wilson; Man Chief – Vacant; and Education Department Chair - Pastor Michael O. Minor.
□ May 9, 1998: First official meeting at St. Mary. Pastor Curtis White, Second Eudora delivered the first message
□ November 8, 1998: Pastor Montgomery’s first annual address
□ April 24, 1999: First Federation-wide call for churches to sponsor an annual health fair
□ January 27, 2001: First Federation Usher Guide published
□ April 20, 2001: First Health and Wellness only educational period
□ April 27, 2002: First Federation-wide health observance calendar distributed
□ January 25, 2003: First Federation Usher Guide including expanded health and wellness information published
□ February 2012: 2010 Usher Guide cited in the Let’s Move! Anniversary edition of Childhood Obesity Journal
