The weekend of Sept. 15 marked the 30th year ministry celebration for Evangelist Sarah Kimbrough Hall.
In 1987, local Pastor Edward Shields became gravely ill.
At the time, he had a weekly radio broadcast.
As he could not perform this duty any longer, he asked Hall to take over his radio ministry.
She thought that she would just do the program as he recovered from his illness. However, Shields did not recover, and Hall continued to do the broadcast.
Hall said that she had no idea that a door was being opened for her to minister on a national level.
As she assumed her new role of radio broadcaster, Hall began to expand her ministry to include: nursing homes, donating to the homeless, visiting and ministering to the sick and elderly, jailhouse ministry, issuing school supplies to children, rendering support and comfort to the bereaved, providing financial support to various charities and non-profits and bringing local gospel musical artists to the area, just to name a few.
Hall was born in Indianola to Pastor Sam and Eula Kimbrough.
At the age of nine, she began singing with a gospel quartet and in her church’s choir. It was at her father’s church that she began arranging and scheduling church programs.
She moved to Chicago in 1966. After completing high school, she earned certifications in Business and Office Administration and Cosmetology. Although Hall lived in Chicago, she booked and arranged gospel artists to come to Indianola to perform. These programs grew, received much acclaim and have continued until this day.
Over the years, Hall has been instrumental in various community efforts to include raising money for a number of non-profit organizations. One of her crowning achievements for the past 20 years has been her work and fundraising for the Mississippi Region One Burn Center.
Under Hall’s leadership, in excess of $30,000 has been raised and donated to help with the treatment and care of burn victims, many of whom have no health insurance.
Over the years, Hall has been the recipient of various awards and recognition to include the Woman of Influence by the American Gospel Quartet Convention. She was selected as Nation’s Best and Most Blessed by Quartet Jamboree, was the recipient of the Ruby Summerville Dixon Award and was recognized by the Jackson Musical Association Award and the Annual Stellar Gospel Award.
Several events were held over the weekend to honor Hall. The theme for the celebration was “Render honor to whom honor is due - An Awesome Woman of God Serving the Church and Community. “ A dinner was held on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Posecai’s Restaurant in Greenville, where the red carpet was literally rolled out for her.
Remarks from guests lauded Hall as a lover of all people, regardless of race, denomination or status.
“She becomes all things to all people so that by any means necessary, she may win them to Jesus Christ,” one said.
Also, two musical gospel concerts were held in Indianola.
The first concert was held on Sept. 16 at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church featuring: Pastors C. W. Ray, Elijah Walker, Tommie Lunsford, John Ware, Norman Mack and Sister Tyshunn Murphy and Evangelist Betty Davis.
On Sunday, the concert was held in Gentry High School’s gym.
Pastor Elaine Gray of the Swifttown United Baptist Church served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Featured guests were: Pastor Elijah Walker, Mr. Enoch McSwine, The Five Stars of Leland, The Wilson Singers of Tchula, Ms. Indiana Norfleet of Indianola, The Starlight Singers of Lexington and special guests - The Gospel Imperials of Huntsville, Ala.
"Very few others have touched as many people as has Sarah Hall” said Mayor Steven Rosenthal as he presented her with the key to the city of Indianola on Sunday.
Further, Rosenthal issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 17 as Sarah Hall Day.
Hall also received a proclamation from the Mississippi House of Representatives signed by the Speaker of the House Philip Gunn and Sarah Thomas commending her for her dedication and sacrifice for improving the quality of life for all citizens.
Gov. Phil Bryant sent a personal letter of congratulations to Hall thanking her for her service to the community and the state of Mississippi. Hall also received congratulations and gifts from across the nation, the Middle East, South Africa and Europe.
When asked about her many years of service and the recognition and honor heaped upon her over the weekend, Hall simply stated – “to God be the glory! It’s not about me, it’s all about Jesus Christ.”
