"Celebrating 25 Years of Media Ministry"

Marilyn Parker 

          Sparkman Your Christian Classified Publication

Is named in honor of the late Ida M. Sparkman (03-24-1918 - 03-09-1999)

              A Female Minority Owned Business 

Today, I am grateful and thankful that God counted us faithful and established us into ministry. As we mark a significant milestone in Media Ministry—twenty-five years in business—I consider this the perfect moment to pause and give gratitude to God for this incredible, remarkable journey. He not only called me but also called the late Dr. Bessie Reece—my mom, who became my partner. My adorable and loving hardworking diligent mom transitioned on 02-28—2020, she was steadfast in her faith in God and serving God through serving people. What an amazing, priceless journey we had together. 

Also, I wish to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to our supporters and staff who worked diligently with us (my nephew, Eric Brown, my aunt, Dale Harris, and Mr. Willie Moore, MaDonna Yong and Laura Henderson). Most importantly, I must acknowledge those writers who contributed monthly (Dr. Donald McNeal, Pastors Ricky and Sheila Floyd, Dr. Dorothy Haire, Dr. Elijiah Hankerson, Kathy Lane, Roderick Warren, Marquita Jones, Apostle David Rodgers, Melody Fogarty, Pastor David Battle) and so many others who contributed their written articles. To our many Pastors that are not names above who wrote our main articles throughout the years we say thank you. To Dr. Patricia T. Whitelocke and the Board of Directors I thank you for your unwavering support, To Thomas Jr. and Debra Reece. and Elizabeth Brown for every kind of support I thank you. To our promoters, advertisers and individuals who faithfully read and share the publication, I sincerely appreciate it, may God bless you all abundantly.

Mrs. Jacqulynn Dillard Rodriguez, my graphic designer, has been with me for over twenty years, Mr. Demetrius Davis for fifteen years, and Mr. Mike Jones (their time, knowledge, commitment and expertise is indescribable) and Ms. Lillian Johnson, who worked in graphics for six months. I am grateful. To my amazing delivery team, I’ll never forget the earlier days of DistribuTECH when this all began. They were the delivery company that delivered mainly to all the grocery chains and secular spots. We started delivering with 50 churches, which later grew to over 1500 churches. The delivery team that served the churches and ministry sites consists of Mr. Larry Parker Sr., Mr. Stanley Kopp, Mr. Gary Ambus, Larry Parker II., Toney Young, Jeremy Harris, Eric Brown, LaTaunia Parker-Scott and MaDonna Parker-Young, Tony Young III., Amal Parker Scott and Marcus Young and David Brown. It’s my esteemed privilege to have worked with you all. After 3 years Sparkman took over the entire delivery distribution.

Sparkman, while in print (1999-2020), was available in grocery chains, hospitals, small businesses, and over 1500 churches. The Online Sparkman became a National Publication with readers and writers from around the world. We’ve published articles about many topics. Our monthly publication has many sections such as wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, housing information, medical alert, mental health, job opportunities, and marriage sections—and most importantly, the highlight sections of our magazine, “The Church Directory.” It is our vision and conviction that if you are without a church home, it is our mission to provide you with a great listing of church homes so you will not be homeless in any manner!

There is also “The More Than a Conqueror” section where individuals share their personal success stories to encourage our readers to believe in and hope in God for all their needs. Through this section, the Sparkman Job Talk show emerged; we were first “invited” to be a weekly guest, and subsequently, necessity pushed us to become a full-fledged talk show.  Thank you, Laurie Faulkerson, for such an iconic invitation!

This magazine began strictly as an employment guide that meets individuals where they are before presenting them with the resume of Jesus Christ! Bishop E.L. Warren, Pastor John Rouse, Bishop Wyatt Greenlee, Archbishop Arthur Kelley, Bishop James Holloway, Dr. Charles Roach and Nathaniel Johnson (Reentry Expert) presented the Sparkman Lecture series supporting the employment section also in the magazine. Sparkman Publication is a tool of evangelism and employment that has matured into a vehicle that serves the whole man—economically, physically, and spiritually. 

We began our radio show, which waxed stronger by the day and added the Employment Job Talk Show. This also grew the employment segment of the publication beyond measures. We also used this medium to share strong Job Talks with the listening audience. Including Human Resource and Workforce leaders from across the globe. We sincerely express gratitude to KXEN and Jubilee 690, which aired our radio show for over seven years. My hosts on the Sparkman Job Talk radio show were Dr. Charles Roach (Motivational Job Coach) and Ms. Sharon Bateman (Job Coach), who were amazing coaches and impactful speakers. Ms. Niki Roach and Pastor Miki King, Karen Fowler and Sheryl Stampley who also made the show inspiring. Mrs. Meichie Hutt and Deanna Champagne were the job roll call DJ’S. We also seize this opportunity to thank Mr. Nathanial Curry and every individual who impacted the lives of our readers and listeners. If your name is not listed do know you are appreciated.

Sparkman The Pathways to Career Television Show Came next. I interviewed Human Resource and Workforce Leaders from across our region that brought information and opportunity to the jobseeker. Demetrius Davis (E4CVideo) our video Guru was always readily prepared yielding excellence to all of our productions. Priceless is the relationship of E4CVideo and Sparkman.

Sparkman also worked with the welfare to work program. Allowing individuals to obtain job training while being paid through the state and also working an intern program with St. Louis Public Schools for high school seniors to obtain working skills.

The Institute of Marriage Bootcamps, an arm of Sparkman Publication, is a specialized event for families and was presented with Bishop Pamela Dillon, Bishop Calvin Scott, Archbishop Arthur Kelley, Dr. Charles Roach, Bishop E.L.Warren, Dr. Wanda Davis Turner, Pastor James and Grace Blue, Pastors Ricky and Sheila Floyd, Linda Sue James, Charmaine Simpson and Jack Daniels. Our volunteers for events (Mildred Young, Angie Coleman, Mr. Robert Holt, LaTaunia Scott and MaDonna Young) and leaders who helped to make every added resource available—are our heroes and truly celebrated—just as we celebrate what the Lord has done for us. We include every divine connection that helped in any way to help make these 25 years such a great journey. Stay locked in at www.esparkman.com 

The honor we experience serving in the Media Ministry is limitless. The esteemed honor that I have experienced while fulfilling God’s purpose with my partner and co-owner utterly cannot be expressed in words. Dr. Bessie Reece was a strict administrator, full of wisdom and knowledge, and most importantly, she was a trailblazer working on her next community service assignment.

Due to her blindness, my mom would often boast it took her eight years before she received her Doctorate of Divinity degree, and fortunately, I was privileged to sit in the same office and reap the benefits of her efforts in this profound and rewarding marketplace ministry. Dr. Bessie Reece served diligently and faithfully, with her talking computer helping Sparkman grow in every area of the Media Ministry. 

 I am also eternally grateful for how the Lord rooted us in all denominational churches throughout the land. He gave me numerous opportunities to meet Pastors of all denominations, both male and female, of diverse races. Entering the sanctuary of one church at 8:30 am, another at 10 am, and the next at 11 am, (while delivering the magazine) observing that they have the same worship song but different denominations, was an absolutely amazing experience. 

 I, have experienced many transitions in my personal and business life. The transition of my one and only son, Larry Lionell Parker II, in 2018, my beloved father, Mr. Thomas Reece, two weeks later, and my mother and business partner in 2020. Also, I have experienced the transition of a few noble individuals in my business: my pastor, Archbishop Arthur Kelley, who was one of many who encouraged her to start the publication and always encouraged me throughout the years. Dr. Charles Roach, a devoted spiritual advisor, writer, and co-radio host, and Theodore Boykins, who had been the web designer of Sparkman for over 15 years. Mr. Boykins designed the Sparkman Flip magazine and the now-new www.eparkman.com. Only with the grace of God and the prayers of the saint and support of my family and friends have I encountered and conquered all while serving in media ministry. According to the word of God “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Don’t ask me how- it’s through Christ Jesus! He continues to lead, guide and allow me to serve and I am grateful for His grace and favor over my life. There is so much joy in serving in the Media Ministry in every way. 

By the grace of God, the past two and a half decades have been truly record-breaking and, indeed, one for the books. We give glory to God and Him alone for every reader who has been positively impacted through Sparkman, Your Christian Classified Publication

With all of the forms of mass media, Sparkman endeavors to continue serving in the media ministry and make an impact on the lives of the reader and the kingdom of God! It is our hope to spread the gospel and serve mankind to the best of our ability, providing information on housing, jobs, healthcare, and mental wellness, as they are highly essential in our daily lives. Therefore, providing hope and encouragement to man.

We thank you for the privilege to serve you.

With utmost humility, I, Marilyn Parker, thank Christ Jesus our Lord for enabling me, (and Dr. Bessie Reece) for that he counted us faithful, putting us into the ministry to serve. For every work established To God be All the glory!