We are grateful to be involved in several areas of ministry and one direction the Lord is currently anointing and blessing is the weekly newspaper faith column. “LIVING ON PURPOSE” has been somewhat of a surprise and has exceeded all expectations. I have been a writer most of my adult life beginning with being a singer/songwriter, and worship leader. I have served the Lord in several churches since 1982, as a bio-vocational minister. I am an ordained and licensed minister and certified chaplain. I have also published 3 books. I was writing a weekly blog with articles and messages of encouragement while a student in seminary, and after I retired from my day job, in January 2016 I spoke with my local newspaper editor about writing a weekly column and this is how “LIVING ON PURPOSE” was launched.
Here it is 2024, and I’m sending the column out to 1100 newspapers around the country each week. I know that over 180 publish me regularly, however, I’m honestly not sure who else is running it as it’s taken from newspaper websites and used freely around the country and the world. I have no control over this and should be grateful the “seed is being scattered.” The way all columnists come up with a rough estimate of how many people are reading their columns is to find out how many subscriptions are sold. Then this amount is multiplied by 2 1/2 times which is called readership. For example: if a newspaper has 10,000 subscribers, the readership would be approximately 25,000. The idea here is that it’s likely more than 1 person will read the newspaper, like a doctor’s office, business, or other people living in the home.
Currently, with knowing the circulation of the 181 newspapers that carry the column, the current estimated readership is over 3 million, and this does not include other papers that I do not know are using it or the large news agencies that use it without asking. I often see the column being published in papers I’ve never heard of. As far as the news agencies, “NewsBreak” has 40-50 million views per month. Yahoo News has even more, and I often see where they have taken the column from various newspapers. I’m not saying that everyone is reading my column, but only making a point that my column has the potential to be seen by those who have access to it. It’s exciting to imagine how many hearts God can touch through this amazing opportunity, and I’m humbled and grateful to have the chance to serve.
I’m sure some of you are assuming this is a financially lucrative business, but nothing could be further from the truth. I’m thankful to have a few publications that help with expenses, but many newspapers have very lean budgets and cannot afford to pay a freelancer. I trust the Lord just like you when it comes to His provision. I’m retired and live on a set income, so I could use the extra money. We know the Almighty owns everything and is in total control! We are simply asking Him to open the windows of anointing and favor so we can accomplish more for His kingdom and His glory. I pray and decree that many will receive the good news of God’s truth and Jesus can use these messages to inspire and encourage others. Thank you for your prayers of agreement and positive confessions for this ministry.
I appreciate those of you who read the column in your own location but if I am not included in your local paper or if you do not subscribe to a newspaper; you are more than welcome to read them on this site every week. You can also tell me where you are located and I will send the column to your local editor. I’m focused on presenting inspirational stories and Biblical insights that can build faith and hope and my desire is for everyone, everywhere to enjoy them. Here is a current LIST of all the papers where I contribute, but I’m probably leaving some out. If you receive the column and you are not on this list, please let me know at psalmz103@gmail.com. God works in mysterious ways and there is definitely a responsibility here to speak what HE wants to say instead of my own ideas. I know the Holy Spirit can use these messages to reach people in a special way that only He can. The Bible talks about plowing, planting, watering, and harvesting, and I am excited to be used as a part of this spiritual process.
Current Newspaper list for “LIVING ON PURPOSE”
ALABAMA – (2)
“The South Alabamian” – (Jackson, AL), “Gadsen Times” – (Gadsen, AL)
ARIZONA – (3)
“East Valley Tribune” – (Mesa, AZ), “Ahwatukee Foothill News” – (Tempe, AZ), “San Tan Sun News” – (Chandler, AZ)
ARKANSAS – (4)
“The Courier News” – (Russellville, AR), “Spring River Chronicle” – (Hardy, AR), “The Saline Courier” (Benton AR), “The Ashley Observer” (Crossett ARK),
CALIFORNIA – (1)
“Hanford Sentinel” – (Selma, CA)
COLORADO – (2)
“Craig Daily Press” – (Craig, CO), “The Durango Herald” (Durango, CO)
FLORIDA – (1)
“The Hernando Sun” – (Brooksville, FL)
GEORGIA – (2)
“Thomasville Times-Enterprise” – (Thomasville, GA), “Cordele Dispatch” – (Cordele, GA) – (includes Crisp, Dooly, Wilcox, and Warwick counties).
ILLINOIS – (4)
“Pike County Express” – (Pittsfield, IL), “Metropolis Planet” – (Metropolis, IL) – “Southern Illinois News” – “The Marshall Times Advocate”
INDIANA – (14)
“Starke County Leader” – (Knox, IN), “Kankakee Valley Post News” – (Kankakee, IN) – “Greene County Daily World” – (Linton, IN), “Hartford City News-Times” – (Hartford City, IN), “The News-Gazette” – (Randolph County, IN), “Rising Sun Recorder” – (Rising Sun, IN), “The Ohio County News” – (Rising Sun, IN), “The Aurora Journal Press” – (Lawrenceburg, IN), “The Huntington Press” – The Jasper News Journal” – “The Oakhill Times” – “The Paxton Courier” – “Twin City Journal Reporter” – “The Chronicle-Tribune – (South Marion IN – 13,100), “The Decatur Daily Democrat” (Decatur IN) 15,000,
IOWA – (1)
“Glenwood Opinion Tribune” – (Glenwood, IA)
KENTUCKY – (52)
“The Marshall Times” (Calvert City), “The Harrodsburg Herald” (Mercer County, Harrodsburg), “The Banner” – (Laurel, Rockcastle, Lincoln, Boyle, Madison, Pulaski, Garrard, McCreary, Casey, Jackson, Knox, Whitley and Clay Counties, KY), “Livingston Ledger” – (Rockcastle County, Smithland, KY), “Advance Yeoman” – (La Center, KY), “Carlisle County News” – (Carlisle County, KY), “West Ky. News” – “The Mayfield Graves Guardian” – “Carlisle Weekly” – “Butler County Banner – Republican” – (Morgantown, KY), “Edmonson News”– (Brownsville KY), “Flemingsburg Gazette” – (Fleming County, KY.), “The Carlisle Mercury” – (Carlisle, KY), “The Bath County News Outlook” – (Owingsville, KY), “Menifee County News Outlook” – (Menifee County, KY), “Robertson County News” – (Robertson County, KY), “Big Sandy News” – (Louisa and Paintsville, KY), “Glasgow Daily News” – (Glasgow, KY), “The Beattyville Enterprise” – (Lee County, KY), “Lyon County Herald Ledger” – (Lyon County, Eddyville, KY), “The Cadiz Record” – (Trigg County, KY), “The Paducah Sun” – (Paducah, KY), “Hickman County Times” – (Clinton, KY), “The Advocate Messenger” – (Mercer, Boyle County KY), “The Journal Enterprise” – (Providence, KY), “The Kentucky Standard” – (Bardstown, KY) – (9,100), “The Messenger” – (Madisonville, KY), “Troublesome Creek Times” – (Hindman/Knott County, KY), “Clay City Times” – (Clay City, KY), “The Middlesboro Daily News” – (Middlesboro, KY), “The Harlan Daily Enterprise” – (Harlan, KY), “The Falmouth Outlook” – (Pendleton, KY), “Kentucky New Era” – (Hopkinsville, KY), “Mayfield Messenger” – (Mayfield, KY), “Casey County News” – (Liberty, KY), “Citizen Voice and Times” – (Irvine, KY), “The Breathitt Advocate” – (Jackson, KY), “The Jessamine Journal” – (Nicholasville, Wilmore, KY), “Bowling Green Daily News” – (Bowling Green, KY.), “Union County Advocate” – (Morganfield, KY), “The Spencer Magnet” – (Taylorsville, KY), “Hickman County Gazette” – (Clinton, KY), “Floyd County Times” – (Prestonsburg, KY), “Hazard Herald” – (Hazard, KY.), “Grant County News and Express” – (Dry Ridge, KY), “Frankfort State Journal” (Frankfort, KY), “The Hickman Courier” – (Hickman, KY), “Jackson County Sun” – (McKee, KY), “The Winchester Sun” – (Winchester, KY), “The Pike County News Watchman” – (Pike County, KY), “The Commonwealth Journal” (Somerset, KY), “The Henderson Gleaner” (Henderson County KY 9821),
LOUISIANA – (3)
“Bossier Press-Tribune” – (Bossier City, LA), “Beauregard Daily News” – (Deridder, LA), “Leesville Daily Leader” – (Vernon Parish, LA)
MAINE – (1)
“Biddeford Journal Tribune” – (Biddeford, Portland, Auburn, MN)
MICHIGAN – (1)
“Hillsdale Daily News” – (Hillsdale, MI)
MINNESOTA – (4)
“The Waconia Patriot” – (Waconia, MN), “The Laker and Pioneer” – (Mound, MN), “Carver County News” – (Watertown, MN), “Grand Forks Herald” (Covers Northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota).
MISSISSIPPI – (1)
“Natchez Democrat” – (Natchez, MS)
MISSOURI – (3)
“Maryville Daily Forum” – (Maryville, MO), “Delta News Citizen” – (Malden, MO), “Delta Dunklin Democrat” (Kennett, MO)
MONTANA – (1)
“Laurel Outlook” – (Laurel, Yellowstone County MT), THE LIBERTY BELL Newspaper,
NEBRASKA – (1)
“Omaha Star” – (N. Omaha, NE) “Ainsworth Star” (Ainsworth NE) 1200 circulation
NEW MEXICO – (3)
“The Aztec Talon” – (San Juan, Aztec, NM), “The Journal” (Cortez NM), “Tri-City Record” (Farmington, NM)
NEW YORK – (4)
“The Express” – (Mechanicville – Saratoga County, NY), “Revena News-Herald”, “The Greenville Pioneer”, “The Columbia”, Capitol Region Independent Media, THE UPSTATER.COM
NORTH CAROLINA – (3)
“The Caswell Messenger” – (Yanceyville, NC), “The Archdale Trinity News” – (Archdale, NC), “Clay County Progress” – (Clay County NC, Towns County GA)
NORTH DAKOTA (3)
“New Rockford Transcript” (New Rockford ND), “Enderlin Independent” (Enderlin North Dakota), “GRAND FORKS HERALD”, (Covers Northwest Minnesota and Northeast North Dakota. 24000 circulation, “Valley City Times Record” (Valley City, Barnes County ND), 1000 daily circulation.
OHIO – (2)
“Van Wert Times Bulletin” – (Van Wert, OH), “The Pike County News Watchman” – (Waverly, Ohio)
OKLAHOMA – (2)
“Guymon Daily Herald” – (Guymon, OK), “The Duncan Banner” – (Duncan, OK)
OREGON – (1)
“The LaGrande Observer” – (Union and Wallowa Counties, OR)
PENNSYLVANIA – (2)
“Meadville Tribune” – (Meadville, PA), “TIMES NEWS” Lehighton, PA (11,626 circulation), “Gettysburg Times” (Adams County, Hanover, and Northern Maryland) 80,000 circulation.
SOUTH CAROLINA – (14)
“The Twin City News” – (Lexington, SC), “The Tri-County Tribune” – (Aiken, SC), “News and Press – (Darlington, SC), “Pageland Progressive Journal News” – (Chesterfield, County SC), “The Kingstree News” – (Kingstree, SC), “The Chronicle-Independent” – (Camden, SC), “The South-strand News” – (Georgetown SC), “The Georgetown Times” – (Georgetown, SC), “Moultrie News” – (Charleston, Mount Pleasant SC, 27,265 circulation), “The Times and Democrat” – (Orangeburg, SC), “Pickens County Courier” – (Pickens SC), “The Island News Packet” (Beaufort, Hilton Head, Bluffton SC – 21,000), “The Sumpter Item” – (Sumpter SC), “The Dillon Herald” – (Dillon SC),
SOUTH DAKOTA – (2)
“Central Dakota Times” – (Chamberlain, SD), “The Gregory Times-Advocate” – (Gregory, SD)
TENNESSEE – (15)
“The Jackson Sun” – (Jackson, TN, 24,287 circulation on Sunday), “Tennessee Tribune” – (Nashville, TN.), “The Portland Leader” – (Portland, TN), “Crockett County Times” – (Alamo, TN) – (4200) – “Lake County Banner” – (Tiptonville, TN), “Weakley County Press” – (Martin, TN), “The Kingsport Times – News” – (Kingsport, TN) – (On-line version – 500-600 weekly page turns), “Bartlett Express” – (Bartlett, TN), “The Trenton Herald Gazette” (Trenton, TN), “Mountain City Tomahawk” – (Mountain City, TN), “Waverly News-Democrat” (Waverly, TN), “The Claiborne progress” – (Tazewell, TN), “Chattanooga Times Free-Press” (Chattanooga, TN – 40,000), “The Northwest Tennessee Volunteer” (Paducah KY), “The Tennessean” 54 counties from Nashville to Southern KY. circulation 118,589,
“The Terrell Tribune” – (Terrell, TX), “The Kaufman Herald” (Kaufman, TX), “Lockhart Post Register” – (Lockhart, TX – 4000), “Floyd County Hesperian Beacon” – (Floydada, TX), “The Howe Enterprise” – (Howe, TX) – “Bolivar Herald Free Press” – (Bolivar, TX), “Athens Daily Review” – (Athens, TX), “High Plains Observer” – (Spearman, Perryton, TX), “Corsicana Daily Sun” – (Corsicana, TX), “The Palestine Herald” (Palestine, TX), “The Caprock Courier” – “The Briscoe County News” – (Briscoe County, TX) – “The Motley County Tribune” – (Motley County, TX) – “The Cottle-King Times” – “The Valley Crier” – (Turkey, TX), “The Hill Country Herald” – (Leakey, TX), “Del Rio Herald” – (Del Rio, TX), “Borger News Herald” – (Borger, TX), “The Dalhart Texan” – (Dalhart, TX), “The Copperas Cove Leader-Press” – (Copperas Cove, TX), “The Odessa American” – (Odessa, TX) – 16,500, “The Post” (Texas City, TX), “Kilgore News Herald” – (Kilgore, TX), “Gilmer Mirror” (Gilmer Texas) – “Highlander News” (Marble Falls TX), “Burnet Bulletin” (Burnet TX)
VERMONT – (1)
“The Vermont Daily Express” – (Newport, VT)
VIRGINIA – (2)
“Bristol Herald Courier” – (Bristol, VA), “Lebanon News” (Swords Creek, VA) (5500),
WASHINGTON – (1) – “Wenatcheeworld” – (Wenatchee, Washington), 19,000 circulation
WEST VIRGINIA – (6)
“Williamson Daily News” – (Williamson, WV), “The Logan Banner” – (Logan, WV), “The Herald-Dispatch” – (Huntington, WV), “Wayne County News” – (Wayne, WV), “Coal Valley News” – (Madison, WV), “The Independent Herald” – (Pineville, WV)
WISCONSIN – (4)
“The Platteville Journal” – (Platteville, WI), “The Richland Observer” – (Richland County, WI), “The Clintonville Chronicle” – (Clintonville, WI), “Wisconsin Christian Newspaper” (Wausau WI),
WYOMING (1)
“The Saratoga Sun” – (Saratoga, Wyoming), “Lusk Herald” (Niobrara- Lusk, Wyoming) 1500,
Current information: 197 Newspapers. Circulation 1,385,789 Estimated Readership 3,464,472
PRESS ASSOCIATIONS and ONLINE NEWS SERVICES That Use Living On Purpose
“Opera News Hub” – 300 million users. “South Carolina Press Association” – (Columbia, SC) – (116 newspapers), “Wyoming Press Association” (includes 40 Newspapers, and the column is sent to each of them). “Georgia Press Association” – (Atlanta, GA) – (15 newspapers), “National Press Association” – (Springfield, IL) – (3400 newspapers), “Yahoo News” (300 million views per month). “Newsbreak” has 50 million monthly users. Ground News is a news aggregator service that allows users to compare media coverage from across the political spectrum. It was founded in 2018 and is based in Kitchener, Ontario.
BILLY HOLLAND MINISTRIES 