Historium to host book signing event for local pastors Feb. 5
The Ozark County Historium will host a book signing for local pastors Mike and Retha Evans, celebrating the release of Mike Evans’ newly published devotional book, “Chosen: 444 Reasons to Live by the Word of God.” The event will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Historium on the west side of the Gainesville square. Mike will also present at the Gainesville Lions Club the same day.
The book is a collection of devotions Evans has written and shared for years with his children and brothers, sometimes several times a week. What began as simple encouragement for family eventually grew into a larger calling, guided by a series of moments Evans describes as unmistakably spiritual.
“I’d had it in the back of my mind for a long time that it would be good to make a collection of those devotions,” Evans said. “Then one morning I woke up and looked at the clock, and it said 4:44.”
That moment sparked a string of experiences that followed throughout the day: his phone battery showing 44 percent, the thermostat reading 74 degrees and a daily devotion that included Luke chapter four, which contains 44 verses.
“At that point, my mind was blown,” Evans said. “I knew God was trying to tell me something.”
Later that evening at church, Evans shared the experience with the congregation. A fellow church member then pointed out the date, April 24, 2024, another instance marked by repeating fours.
“I had shivers going up and down my body,” Evans said. “I just went weak. I knew there was something behind it.”
Since then, Evans said the number 444 has continued to appear in ordinary moments, reinforcing his decision to compile the devotions into a book. As Evans and Retha were reflecting on those experiences, they were also quietly praying about becoming more involved in ministry. Neither realized the other was praying along the same lines until a longtime family friend, Edsel Johnson, approached them in September with an unexpected request.
He explained that Baptist Hill Church, located on V Highway south of Elijah, was without a pastor and asked if Evans would be willing to fill in temporarily. Evans agreed, feeling the opportunity might be an answer to prayer.
Though Retha was initially hesitant to leave the church they had been attending, she agreed to go with him. Evans delivered the sermon while Retha taught Sunday School, and after several weeks, the church made its wishes clear.
“We’re not looking for anyone else,” Evans recalled the congregation saying. “We want you to stay.”
During that conversation in church, Retha surprised him by speaking up.
“She said she had been praying for direction and felt like we were meant to be there,” Evans said. “That’s when I realized we had both been praying the same thing.”
In November 2025, after about six weeks of filling in, the congregation unanimously voted to elect Mike and Retha Evans as co-pastors of the more than 150-year-old church. Baptist Hill Church holds services Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Sunday School at 10 a.m. and Sunday morning worship at 11 a.m.
Evans said has served as an ordained deacon through the Missouri Association of General Baptist and the Little Vine Association of General Baptist for more than three decades and has officiated funerals and filled pulpits over the years. He said both the book and their call into pastoral ministry reflect a period of spiritual renewal in his and Retha’s lives.
“I have not always spoken or acted in a way that honors God,” Evans said. “Retha and I rededicated our lives to God’s service some time ago. I thank the Lord for His mercy and grace. As we grow to be mature Christians, we should strive for perfection in the Spirit. God’s still working on me.”
He said that renewed commitment helped prepare them for stepping into leadership roles at Baptist Hill Church and for sharing their faith more openly through the devotional book.
“Chosen: 444 Reasons to Live by the Word of God” was officially released Dec. 3, 2025, through Covenant Publishing Company. The book is available on Amazon for $19 and will be available locally at the book signing or at the Ozark County Times office for $18.
The Ozark County Historium is located on the west side of the square in downtown Gainesville, and like almost all of their events, this one is free and open to everyone. The building is very accessible for those with mobility issues. For information, call the Historium at 417-679-2400 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday.