In 1977, Charlie Vincent, Jr. was a preacher in the Methodist church, but he had questions about their teachings and practices. He began searching for answers. One day, he was visiting a friend, Billy Harris, at Mr. Harris’ home. Bro. William “Bud” Slater and Bro. Audrey Evans were there also. Charlie told them that he was a Methodist preacher. They showed him some things concerning the church.

Later, Charlie was watching a religious program on television. He heard Bro. Nokomis Yeldell preaching about the one church. Charlie found the answers to his questions. He called Bro. Jim Moore, the minister of the Monticello Church of Christ on Gabbert Street. On June 4, 1977, Charlie Vincent, Jr. and his wife, Bennie Vincent, were baptized.

They worshipped at the Gabbert Street Church for about thirteen months, after which, they began looking for black Christians. Their search led them to Little Rock, Arkansas, where the Vincents met Bro. Thomas Hardaway, minister of the Dixie Street Church of Christ; Bro. Johnny Lawrence, minister of the McAlmont Church of Christ; and Bro. Ealgie Gilbert, Sr., minister of the Eastside Church of Christ. Charlie and Bennie would visit the Eastside congregation when they could. Eventually, Bro. Gilbert told them about a congregation in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, where Bro. Nathaniel Kidd was the minister.

For a space of about six years, they tried to teach their families about the church.  They had no response until the summer of 1983, when Bennie began a bible study for her family in the home of her parents, James and Leola McCray.  Shortly after the classes began, the Westside Church in Fountain Hill held a gospel meeting which was conducted by Bro. M.C. Daniels, minister of the Trinity Gardens Church of Christ in Houston, Texas.  In July of 1983, six students from Bennie’s class were baptized during that meeting:  Luevonda Ross, Marcelene Ross, Vickey Jacobs, Lola McCray, Hazelene McCray, and Barbara Vincent.  Thus, began a practice that Sis. Vincent continues to this day: She teaches a class near the time of a gospel meeting to prepare souls for baptism.  As it is written in 1 Corinthians 3:6: “I planted (Sis. Vincent), Apollos watered (Bro. Daniels), but God gave the increase (six souls).”

The two were now seven, and these continued to worship at the Westside church in Fountain Hill.  Over the years, the number increased to more than thirty as they taught others.  Now, there were more than a few people traveling back and forth to Fountain Hill.  So, they decided that it was time to have a congregation in Monticello.  They found an office building on the corner of Hyatt and Gaines Street, and they worshipped there from July 1988 through October 1991.

All the while, the church saved its money in preparation for the future.  Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Bro. Vincent knew that they would outgrow the office building.  With advice from his father-in-law, James A. McCray, he found land on Kennedy Boulevard in Monticello, Arkansas.

The church purchased more than three acres.  In 1991, the sanctuary was built.  In November of the same year, the building was dedicated.  It was only fitting that Bro. Nokomis Yeldell should be the preacher for the occasion.

The Bible says in Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”  The church continued to grow, and more land was purchased, bringing the size of the property to 11.75 acres.  In 1997, the note on the land and the building were paid off in full.

The church at Kennedy is friendly and loves to fellowship.  Oftentimes, gatherings were held in the homes of its members, as well as the Monticello Community Center and on the church grounds.  They recognized the need for another facility to have space to accommodate these gatherings.  Plans were drawn up, and in July 1999, construction began on the Fellowship Hall.  Work was completed the week of December 18, 1999.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”