February 3, 2025, marked a turning point in my life — my first day as a newspaper reporter. Looking back a year later, it’s hard to believe how far that one decision has taken me. At first, I was hesitant about taking the job. I was used to my routine — driving trucks, then spending my mornings at McDonald’s drinking coffee and talking with other retired folks about everything under the sun. But when I sat down with publisher Bryan Davis to talk through the opportunity, I decided to step out on faith and give it a try. I wasn’t looking for busywork; I wanted purpose. This job offered just that — a chance to serve my community in a new and meaningful way.
Before I ever came on staff, Davis had already enrolled me in a journalism course. That class gave me the foundation I needed, and one of my assignments sent me to Mount Beulah Missionary Baptist Church to cover a story about a local youth entrepreneur workshop. I remember walking in with my notepad, camera and recorder, ready to do everything just like I’d been taught. That story ended up running in the paper under “staff writer,” even though I hadn’t been hired yet. That moment confirmed what I felt deep down: this was something I was meant to do.
The next week, Davis called and asked if I wanted to have lunch with him. We met and had a good conversation about the paper, the community and the future of local journalism. During that discussion, he offered me the job, and I gladly accepted. My first official day came the following Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. I was assigned to cover the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors meeting at the courthouse by myself because Davis was home sick with the flu. I remember sitting there thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?”
By that next Monday night, I was covering my first Indianola Board of Aldermen meeting. That’s when the real work hit me. I thought to myself, “Oh boy, I don’t know if I’m going to make it through all of this.” Where were those “nice, easy stories” like the one from Mount Beulah Missionary Baptist Church? Instead, I found myself facing complicated issues — budgets, ordinances and personalities — all while learning AP style and the do’s and don’ts of the newspaper business. It was overwhelming, but each story stretched me, shaped me and taught me more about both the people and the process.
As the weeks went by, I also discovered how much I enjoy working for the Enterprise-Tocsin and being part of this company. I’m grateful for the chance they took on me and for the support I’ve received. I genuinely enjoy working with my coworkers, learning from them and feeling like we are all pulling in the same direction for the good of this community. In this first year, I didn’t miss a single day of work — I showed up every day, just like I did out on the road — and I plan to keep that same commitment. I keep my coworkers on their toes, and I keep them in prayer.
What most readers don’t know is that before reporting, I was both a vocational pastor and a professional truck driver — known on the CB radio as “Mr. Bigg, the one and only.” For nearly two decades, I hauled freight and preached the Word. Preparing expository and topical sermons developed my writing discipline, clarity and focus. I didn’t recognize it at the time, but looking back, I can see it was all part of my calling and God’s divine plan. Ministry trained me to listen closely, communicate clearly and approach truth with humility — lessons that now guide me each time I pick up my pen.
Every morning before I come to work, I get on my knees and pray. I ask God to touch my mind and heart so that I never abuse my position or misuse the influence that comes with this platform. I pray that I never destroy someone’s life by publishing something that isn’t true, but that I am still bold enough to hold everyone accountable and be factual and honest, because our community needs the truth.
Inspiration for my In Focus opinion column often comes in strange ways. Sometimes it’s a conversation I overhear, something I see around town or a topic that stirs in my spirit. Other times, it’s pure divine intervention. There are moments when I read an article after publication and ask myself, “Now where did that come from?” The same thing happened when I wrote my first book, “Moving from the Pew to the Pavement: Basic Personal Evangelism.” I now realize that was all part of God preparing me to use writing as another form of ministry — speaking truth, inspiring thought and lifting up our community.
People from all walks of life — young and old, Black and white — have told me they read my work. Every time I hear that, it humbles me. I usually tell them, “Keep praying for me,” because what I do isn’t just work; it’s an act of service. My goal is to speak truth to power, hold leaders accountable, encourage readers and raise the intellectual life of our community. Even if folks don’t always agree with what I write, if my words make them stop and think, then I’ve done my job. Iron sharpens iron, and when our conversations rise higher, so does our community.
Now, one year later, I can smile at that nervous voice I heard on my first day — the one that asked, “What have I gotten myself into?” Because the answer turned out to be purpose, growth and calling. After two decades behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, I learned I’m still hauling — only now I’m hauling the facts.
Whether behind the pulpit or in the newsroom, my mission remains the same: to serve faithfully, write honestly and help light the way forward for the community I love — and as always, pray for me.
