By NIVA DOROUGH / Community Columnist

After completing a successful and fun Vacation Bible School, Pastor Leonard Irvin and the congregation of Mt. Signal Baptist Church are preparing for “Tremendous Thursdays of August.”

This will be a revival series to challenge and inspire your heart. Services will begin at 7 p.m. each Thursday evening in August at the church located on Old Highway 280.

On Aug. 4, Earl Niven, mayor of Chelsea, will be guest speaker. Irvin said Niven is a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea, a man who doesn’t mind speaking his Christian convictions with a sense of community and spiritual identity and service.

Ms. Ramona Vest, Mt. Signal’s own, will present a mini-concert prior to the message. Ramona is an exceptional talent and will captivate your heart with her singing.

On Aug. 11, guest speaker will be the Rev. Mark Harrison, executive pastor of Gardendale’s First Baptist Church. Irvin said Harrison has a dynamic, straight-to-the-point preaching style. I will present a message in song and mini-concert before the message.

On Aug. 18, Dr. Kevin Hamm, senior pastor of Gardendale’s First Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker. Hamm is an energetic, hard-hitting speaker and effective pastor who boldly proclaims God’s word. Donnie Davis, known to most in our area, will present a mini-concert. Davis is an excellent singer, and talented on the guitar, banjo and piano.

On Aug. 25, A.C. Roper, chief of the Birmingham Police Department, will be speaking. Roper is a veteran law enforcement professional and former deputy chief in the Hoover police department, as well as an ordained minister. He is committed to the Lord and the law enforcement profession. Mrs. Edwina Chappell, a long time resident of Westover and former Ms. Senior Alabama, will be presenting a mini-concert in song before Chief Roper speaks.

Irvin, senior pastor of Mt. Signal for eight years, is a retired sergeant from the Birmingham Police Department, and graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree in pastoral ministry. He said this is a new venture for the church, and he and his congregation invite everyone in the community to be a part of this revival effort.

Make plans now to attend, and may each Thursday in August and be “tremendous!”

Niva Dorough can be reached at nivasinger@aol.com.