CP Connections Spring 2024

Welcome to this second issue of CP Connections, which is intended to be a celebration of the wonderful work we do through the Cooperative Program. The ultimate objective of the Cooperative Program is to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The outstanding work of the International Mission Board has resulted in thousands of missionaries being sent around the world to do the work of sharing Christ. In addition, thousands of churches have been planted in North America over the years through the coordination of the North American Mission Board. Again, this is the result of cooperation!

Much more could be said about the work of our SBC seminaries and other entities in the effort to make Christ known, but the truth is it all starts right here at home. If we don’t have strong churches in Mississippi, the potential for being a launching pad for national and international work is greatly diminished. The MBCB is committed and organized to assist churches toward spiritual health, and we make that the aim of our work every day.

The worldly pull on every church is toward apathy and decline, and an intentional effort is demanded to combat this drift. While we have many vibrant and growing churches in our network, we also recognize that some are sick and struggling. This fact has been exacerbated over the last several years by the effects of COVID and all the cultural currents connected to it.

Thankfully, Christ is the foundation of the church and the Spirit is her strength. These facts alone remind us of the hope we hold in spite of the intense battle we face. Those churches that are struggling do not have to concede defeat because the Gospel is filled with both life and power. In this issue you’ll read about one church in Mississippi that was struggling with sickness and experienced revitalization toward health by the work of the Holy Spirit.

I hope you’ll read through this story and others in this issue with two questions. First, is my church in need of revitalization? If so, am I willing to do the hard work of giving the matter to the Lord for His work to be done? Second, is cooperation still the answer for Mississippi Baptists? I shout a resounding YES to this question, and I hope the content of this issue will move you in that same direction.

Your fellow servant,

Shawn Parker

Executive

Director-Treasurer,

Mississippi Baptist Convention Board EXECUTIVE

Mississippi Baptist Convention Board P.O. Box 530 Jackson, MS 39205 601.968.3800 www.mbcb.org msbaptist@mbcb.org

Volume 2, Number 1 © 2024 Mississippi Baptist Convention Board

ON THE COVER: Beech Springs Baptist Church, Blue Springs, Mississippi

CONTENTS

CP Celebration

2 State Evangelism Conference leads to 13 baptisms

Church Spotlight

8 Revitalization efforts breathe new life into Beech Springs

Departments

15 Deaf Ministry serves Mississippi's largest unreached people group

18 Redeemed inmates impact Mississippi's prisons with the Gospel

22 MBCB Ministry Job Board helps connect ministers and churches

25 Mississippi Baptist camp ministry alive and well

28 Discern retreat equips students to follow their call to ministry

Agencies

32 Christian Action Commission: Across the street and across the state

2

Institutions

38 Blue Mountain Christian University shines a light for 150 years

CP Information

42 How are Cooperative Program gifts budgeted?

IGNITING A SPARK

State Evangelism Conference leads to 13 baptisms

BY LINDSEY WILLIAMS

Intended to embolden Mississippi Baptists to go and proclaim the Gospel, the 2024 State Evangelism Conference succeeded to ignite a spark — but not quite as expected. In the middle of the conference, the Holy Spirit began to light His fire from within the church.

Sponsored by MBCB’s Evangelism Department, the conference was held at Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian, Jan. 28-29. Sunday night, the William Carey University Worship Choir and Orchestra led a worship service which the congregation could not help but join in praise. Following worship, Shane Pruitt, Next-Gen Evangelism Director of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), shared a message from Genesis 1-3 themed around the statement “Tell Me the Truth.” His message answered the questions “Where did I come from?” “Why am I here?” “What is wrong with me?” and “What is the solution?”

“Your heart was created to be full of passion for the Lord. Your hands were created to serve the Lord...You exist for the Lord, and you always feel something is missing in your life as long as someone is missing.”

SHANE PRUITT, NAMB NEXT-GEN EVANGELISM DIRECTOR

“Your heart was created to be full of passion for the Lord,” Pruitt said. “Your hands were created to serve the Lord. Your knees were created to bow before the King of kings and the Lord of all lords. Your feet were created to follow the Lord. You exist for the Lord, and you always feel something is missing in your life as long as someone is missing.”

An answer to prayer

Wade Phillips, Senior Pastor of Northcrest, remarked on the evening, “The invitation that night was the culmination of everything that we had prayed and hoped for in our months of planning. We began to discuss having Shane and the William Carey Choir here on Sunday night about a year ago. Additionally, our goal was to have lots of students there. Northcrest has seen a significant movement of the Lord among students for a couple of years now, and I was expecting Him to do something. Most every Sunday, our altar is full of young people, so I expected at least that much.

Shane Pruitt

“When the invitation began, and I began to see people raising their hands, then responding, it was an answered prayer. I think the most surprising thing was the number of students in the choir who responded! That was a huge blessing!”

A total of 13 students came to the altar to repent of their sins and accept Christ as their Savior. Others joined them at the foot of the cross. Adults and high school students prayed at the steps of the altar. Believers came forward to answer calls to ministry. Over 30 people surrendered to Jesus, from repentance to obedience. The Spirit moved hearts throughout the church, from the choir loft to the very last pew.

On fire with the Spirit

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, the William Carey students who accepted Christ at the conference were baptized at Carterville Baptist Church in Petal. An excited crowd of friends and families, and Carterville and Northcrest members, made up the congregation. Still on fire with the Spirit, the Northcrest staff desired to serve lunch

to the students and other attendees, and drove all the way to Petal to take part in God’s work.

“The Evangelism Conference is not normally a conference where people give their lives to Jesus, because it’s made up primarily of adults who are already involved in church,” commented Don Lum, director of the Evangelism department. “So we expected to be challenged, to be encouraged, but it was a very special night to see God at work.”

The work and the fire has not finished. Northcrest continues to be abuzz with the testimony of that Sunday night. Having baptized the adults and high school students who accepted Christ, they helped start the new believers on their discipleship journey.

For the students who were previously not connected to a local church, William Carey is working with them to find a church home.

Fanning the flame

“Our school is faithful to present the Gospel in every rehearsal in some form or another,” said Wes

William Carey Worship Choir and Orchestra Director and Dean of the Winters School of Music. “We teach our students about worship, how to live a life of worship, how to encourage in worship, and that we were created to worship Him, according to the Word of God.

“We have been praying over those students who made decisions for quite some time. I believe the Holy Spirit moved mightily in all of our hearts during the worship service and the Holy Spirit used Shane Pruitt to reap a mighty harvest that night! My hope from that night is revival — campus revival that will spread beyond our campus to the world!”

“It is a joy to see God working in the lives of our students!” said Brandon Hardin, Interim Worship

Pastor at Carterville and Assistant Professor of Music at William Carey. “To be able to speak into the lives of our students is a privilege we don’t take lightly. We are grateful to serve at a university that places a high value on the spiritual growth of our students.”

With the spark still catching fire, Phillips shared his prayer for the months ahead: “I hope this is just the beginning! I believe we are seeing a genuine move of God among Gen Z, in our own church and others. I’m praying that this further fans that flame!”

The State Evangelism Conference is sponsored by the Evangelism Deparment and funded through the Cooperative Program. Learn more about the event by emailing Don Lum: dlum@mbcb.org.

Dykes,

Baptism photos: Novella Photography

great things from God; Attempt great things for God!

ON THE RISE

Revitalization efforts breathe new life into Beech Springs

BY TANNER CADE

“I really believe there is a wide open field for church revitalization in Mississippi.”

You can find the man that spoke these words preaching on Sunday mornings in a small community of Blue Springs, Mississippi. Online descriptions label Blue Springs as a “village,” which can be found between the better known cities of New Albany and Tupelo in the Northeast corner of the state.

Gregg Thomas pastors Beech Springs Baptist Church, and spoke these words of revitalization in Mississippi.

“One of the greatest ministries is to lead a church to revitalize instead of sitting back in retirement.”

GREGG THOMAS, BEECH SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR

“We turn around every corner and we are seeing churches in decline,” Thomas continued. “One of the greatest ministries is to lead a church to revitalize instead of sitting back in retirement.”

Thomas refers to retirement because he was once retired. In 2019 he stepped down from a fulltime pastorate after over 40 years in the ministry. A Mississippi-native and graduate of Blue Mountain Christian University, he has led churches all across the state from the Delta to the Gulf Coast, and the new season of life was beginning to stir a new calling for his future.

Thomas and his wife, Karen, “decided that we wanted to involve ourselves in a small church that needed help just as members.”

After years of experience leading churches of nearly

300 members, the Thomas’ decided to change gears and walk in the door of a 12-person church two miles down the road from their home. They immediately noticed details about the church, including the age of the congregation and the condition of the building, but they quickly found a place to plug in and serve. No children were to be found, and the piano had not been played for at least 15 years in worship.

In early 2021, the current pastor retired due to health concerns, and the one deacon of the church decided to call on Gregg Thomas to help lead in a more formal capacity.

“So he asked me if I would consider taking the church, and Karen and I prayed about the opportunity,” Thomas described. “I said I am not a miracle worker. If we come, I want the Lord to use us to help turn this church around.”

Gregg Thomas officially became pastor in May 2021 and quickly began the process of revitalization with a church membership roll of only 12 people.

“The first thing I did was contact Johnny Ervin there at the Baptist Building, and he sent me the demographic profile.”

The first thing Thomas noticed was that, even

though the church was considered to be in the county, there were about 20,000 people living within a 10mile radius of the church. He began to ask himself why the church was so small even with a significant population in the area. The next thing he noted was that the church was not a reflection of the community.

“The community, according to the demographic information, had an average age of 35,” Thomas said. “It was very obvious the church had no reflection of the community.

“The church never had a major earth-shattering issue that disrupted the membership. They just never reached beyond the walls, and the community didn’t even know the church was there.”

The task was large, but the steps were coming together to help jumpstart the church. First, an organizational and budget structure was established when nothing had been present in the past. Second, a Sunday school groups ministry was started and a consistent mid-week prayer meeting was established so the church could grow and pray together outside of the one hour on Sunday morning. Next, the members started to move beyond the church walls and began grassroots prayer walking in the area immedi-

ately surrounding the church.

Rick Blythe, director of Stewardship/Prayer Ministries for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, noted the impact of adding prayer to the outreach of the church. “Prayer walking develops within us a feel for the spiritual needs of families and opportunities to open doors of conversation.”

“Church members briefly stopped in front of each house or mobile home and just prayed over that household and prayed God’s blessings on it,” Thomas continued. “It was pretty amazing what the prayer drive did to open doors to the community.”

Another major prayer emphasis for the Thomas’ included the opportunity to have someone with church experience become involved in the church to help lead. Shortly into his pastorate, a couple from

Tennessee — Ronnie and Reta Sutton — moved to a home near the church to be closer to their family. They happened to have been faithful members of a strong Baptist church and were looking to pour into a new church family near Blue Springs. After an invitation from Thomas, the couple quickly felt at home attending Beech Springs Baptist Church and became members.

Over the course of time the Sutton’s invited their son’s family and grandchildren to attend. For the first time in a year, the voices of children filled the church building. Then God placed a calling on the Sutton’s son, Bryan, to become the student minister and worship leader.

Q&A with MBCB Church Planting/ Revitalization director John Maxey

What is the purpose of having a Revitalization Department in the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board?

According to a 2022 Lifeway Research Study, 54.5% of Mississippi Baptist churches are plateaued, 31.5% are declining, and 13.9% are growing. So, across our state, 86% of cooperating churches are in desperate need of renewal. This is why the Church Planting/ Revitalization Department is a part of the ministry umbrella of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. We strive to reverse the decline and death rate of churches within the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

At what point does a church need to look into revitalization?

I believe every church should have a regular assessment and evaluation of its overall health. No matter how healthy a church might be, there will always be a point where improvements can be made in its ministry. Therefore, revitalization is for every

Quickly, many pieces of revitalization were happening before their eyes at the church. They hosted their first Vacation Bible School and began to add more children and student programming to reach the youth in the area.

“Today we have anywhere from 10 to 15 teenagers which came from zero two years ago,” Thomas expressed. “They’ve done an awesome job in getting that going.”

All of the prayer and efforts put into place in 2021 have shown encouraging results within nearly a two year window, but the most encouraging number can be found in the baptism results.

“Last church year we led the Union County Baptist

church. However, there are two indicators that might cause a congregation to seriously consider looking into church revitalization.

Numerical indicators of decline should cause the church leadership to seriously investigate church revitalization. The areas to look at include, but are not limited to: salvations, baptisms, annual average worship attendance, small group attendance, missional engagement, and offerings. Numbers don’t tell the entire story, but they start the story. Gathering at least ten years of the church’s information from its Annual Church Profile can reveal a great deal about the church’s health. If those numbers are steadily decreasing every year, then the church has a problem.

A church that has little or no influence in its community is another symptom of the need for revitalization. The probing question that consultants often propose to church members is, “If this Sunday your church closed its doors for the very last time, would anyone in the community notice or be negatively impacted by it?” Church leaders must prayerfully develop missional opportunities to reach out to their community. Sadly, churches can become more inward-focused rather than outward-focused. They focus more on maintenance, rather than the mission. If this is the mindset of a congregation, then the leadership should begin having conversations regarding church revitalization.

Association in baptisms. We baptized 30 people!” exclaimed Thomas. “Since starting as pastor we are at 45 baptisms.”

Sunday attendance is also up to an average of 4050 people, with a record high of 87 a few months ago.

“What is going on at Beech Springs is something only God can do,” said Blythe. “Gregg has transferred his experience and knowledge so that members of the congregation are better prepared to achieve success.”

“When the church was constituted in 1905, God laid it on the heart of those people to start a Gospel work in that location,” explained Bradley Baker, associational mission strategist for the Union County Baptist Association.

“This just confirms that God’s plan has not changed,” Baker continued. “He still wants that Gospel work to continue about 120 years later. This is really exciting to watch from a front-row perspective.”

“I have always said I don’t want to waste my golden years sitting back and doing nothing” said Thomas. “I think it’s just something we need to do. Be willing to give back to the Lord in this time of life and do revitalization.”

Your gifts to the Cooperative Program support revitalization efforts that benefit churches like Beech Springs. Churches may give through mbcb.org/give.

Recently we have seen multiple examples of church mergers. When is that an appropriate opportunity for churches?

Church mergers/marriages are wonderful displays of the grace of God and kingdom focused cooperation among His people. A merger occurs when two or more congregations join together to become one entity. Mergers may be recommended when congregations are open to forming a partnership with another congregation, there is a willingness to release control and decision making by the weaker church to the other congregation, there is a high receptivity and readiness to embrace change and new leadership, and a third party is available to facilitate discussion meetings to clearly define the specifics of the merger.

If a healthy church is looking to expand its ministry, should church leaders look at planting a church or helping revitalize a church that is struggling?

I believe a healthy church should consider partnering with both church plants and those called to church revitalization. Generally speaking, partnerships with church planters are more known among healthy church leaders than church revitalization. One way a healthy church might choose to help a church revitalization effort is through fostering. In a fostering relationship,

a stronger church enters into a written, clearly defined, timebound relationship with another church. The desired outcome is that the struggling church will regain its health and autonomy. Healthy church leaders who have enjoyed partnerships with ministries outside our state should prayerfully consider working with a sister church within its own association or area.

What resources are available through your department to help churches in the area of revitalization?

If your church is plateaued or in decline, you are not alone, and we’re here to come alongside you to pursue a process toward a renewed future for your church. We don’t do things to churches or for churches. We seek to work with churches to fulfill God’s purpose. We strive to do this through offering online church health surveys, community demographics, consultation, coaching, leadership development, and facilitating partnerships with other ministry partners.

This fall, we will be sponsoring Renewing the Church Summit with Mark Clifton, Jimbo Stewart and NAMB Replant Team members. Summit locations include Tupelo on September 30, Hattiesburg on Oct. 1, and Jackson on Oct 2. Mark your calendars now and look for more information to be announced soon.

Deaf Ministry serves Mississippi’s largest unreached people group

BY LINDSEY WILLIAMS

“Helen Keller, who was both deaf and blind, was asked if she could choose one, which would she be? She didn’t choose. She said, ‘Blindness separates us from things. Deafness separates us from people.’ Deaf people can be ignored for a lot of reasons,” said Debbie Battle, who has been actively engaged in Deaf ministry since she was 18 years old. “If they cannot be involved in the conversation, that automatically eliminates them unless an effort is made to do otherwise. There is a real need for sign language. The Deaf can slip through the cracks easily because they go unnoticed.”

As a freshman at Mississippi College, Battle joined a Monday-night sign language class offered by the campus’ Baptist Student Union (BSU). “Jerry St. John, who at the time was the equivalent of Paula

Smith (director of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board's Multicultural Ministries department), was the Language Missions director,” Battle recalled, “but his heart was for Deaf missions, so he taught this class through the BSU.

“My then boyfriend, now husband, and I continued to show interest and attend the class. So Jerry said, ‘I think you need to go to Woodland Hills. I’m taking the students from the school for the Deaf over there, and if you’ll get involved in Deaf ministry, immersion is the best way to learn a language.’”

Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Jackson mobilized a large Deaf ministry. Battle began to attend the Sunday services and joined the Deaf circles, and although she started with very little sign, the Deaf

(From left) Martin Davis, Martha Davis, and Debbie Battle

members of the church gladly taught her more.

“One was a wonderful lady by the name of Gloria Gladney,” Battle shared, “whose husband was an ordained Baptist minister and also deaf. Gloria lipread beautifully. She had progressive deafness. Until she was an adult, she was not totally deaf, but she had to depend on lipreading a lot. So I would say the word, and she would give me the sign. She fed me signs all morning and continued to do that for a number of years.”

Battle and her husband were members of Woodland Hills for over 40 years, and when it closed its doors in 2019, they moved their membership to Liberty Baptist Church in Flowood. At that point, however, no Deaf attended Liberty. It was not until 2020, when Covid inevitably affected church services across the state, that Pastor John Cofer of Liberty approached Battle with an idea. After deciding to post services online, he asked her to interpret his sermons. Battle readily agreed. “At the time, there were not a lot of churches offering that,” she remembered, “so we thought it would be a good way for our church to meet a need not being met.”

As a result, a Deaf couple, Martin and Martha Davis, who had attended Woodland Hills, decided to join Liberty Church and, although the class would be few in number, aspired to start a Sunday school class. Rather than arrange for a teacher since the class consisted of the couple and one other Deaf woman, the group followed a DVD Bible study series led by a hearing pastor who had ministered to both Deaf and hearing congregations. Battle, too, attends the class, and because the lesson is presented in sign as well as voiced English, she invites hearing members to come and learn sign as they participate in the study.

“We also teach sign language classes for the hearing of the church,” said Battle. “Martin and Martha are very outgoing and willing to help anybody understand them. They were both deaf since birth and have lived in the hearing world all their lives, so they understand the limitations that hearing people have. But like any language requires practice, if you don’t practice sign, you don’t learn it. People get frustrated because they don’t learn it quickly. So we are still

teaching very basic sign right now, but at least it’s an introduction to deafness and what Deaf adults and Deaf children face.

“Our pastor is very supportive. He has taken the sign language class a couple of times and he speaks to our Deaf every Sunday morning, just like he does with everybody else at the church. They really appreciate that. He makes a point of coming to visit the Deaf in their homes.”

Encouraging hearing Baptists to make an impact, Battle concluded, “Just jump in and meet some Deaf people. It was the Deaf members at Woodland Hills who primarily taught me to sign. I didn’t learn much in a classroom; I learned from being with the Deaf. If anybody has interest, find some Deaf people you can hang out with. Find out where the Deaf groups are in your area, get involved with them, and volunteer to help with Deaf ministry. That’s the best way to get involved.”

“How grateful I am for the Debbie Battles and Vickie Stuarts (MBCB Deaf Ministry Consultant) in our state,” said Smith. “As I learn more and more about our Deaf population, I am amazed at how many Deaf live in Mississippi. I am amazed to learn the Deaf have their own language and culture just like any other language group. I am also amazed that at this moment we have no Deaf church in Mississippi. With a population of almost 100,000 Deaf people, we only have 22 churches with any type of Deaf ministry, meaning that there could be someone to interpret the sermon and maybe the worship service, but there might not be a Deaf Bible study.

“Statistics tell us that the Deaf are the largest unreached population in the United States and world. We certainly have a great need in Mississippi to share the Gospel in the heart language of the people. Pray with us for the Lord to send His laborers into this harvest field. Pray for more Debbie Battles and Vickie Stuarts. Pray for the Lord to raise up a pastor for a Deaf church plant in 2024.”

Your gifts to the Cooperative Program help support Deaf Ministry. Learn more by emailing Vickie Stuart at vstuart@mbcb.org.

Redeemed inmates impact Mississippi prisons with the Gospel

BY LINDSEY WILLIAMS

“You don’t find fellowship in prison very much,” said a convict of the Mississippi State Penitentiary (also known as Parchman) and a student of the seminary classes offered within the facility.

In Parchman, seminary students live on the same “zone” and hold inmate-led worship every Sunday morning. “We find that when we all come together, it just tightens our bond. We have so much going on out there with racism and a country being divided. It’s not divided in here. We’re a brotherhood. We have the same outlook: we want to see this place change and we do everything that we can to make it change. By doing that, by living together like this, in unity, that means everything. You build relationships with guys you would have never built relationships with out there.”

The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) come together to equip redeemed inmates to impact Mississippi prisons with the Gospel. NOBTS offers seminary classes in its extensions to Parchman and the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. Both men and women can earn an accredited bachelor’s degree from Leavell College, and the hope for these brothers and sisters in Christ is to see them graduate and become assistants to chaplains in other state facilities, that they may partner together, lead Bible studies, and evangelize other inmates.

“Graduates, known as field ministers, lead Experiencing God, Survival Kit, and other Bible studies, all of which are paid for by Cooperative Program gifts," explained Jon Martin, MBCB’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Without these funds, our field ministers would not be able to do the work that they do.”

Inmates reaching inmates

The Spirit is at work through field ministers in the South Mississippi Correctional Institute (SMCI). “Our association partners with the SMCI field ministers — inmates who have felt the call of God and have gone through the NOBTS extension at Parchman and received a Bachelor of Arts Christian Ministry degree,” said Walter Mixon, Associational Mission Strategist for George/Greene County. “They are then sent by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) as missionaries, with the charge of starting churches and discipleship programs.

“Instead of us getting volunteers to go in, these field ministers teach and preach. It’s more effective

for inmates to reach inmates because they can relate to them more than we can. We see greater relationships being built. One thing I’ve heard from the administrative end of SMCI is that the violence in the prison has decreased. The atmosphere of the prison has improved, and it has to do with the ministry of our inmates reaching, working with, and living among other inmates.”

Once the men at SMCI complete the Bible studies led by field ministers, they celebrate through a graduation ceremony. The George/Greene Association provides a graduation certificate with the inmate’s name, but Mixon wanted to reward them further.

“I was trying to think of a way to reward these inmates for their work and effort in completing these Bible studies,” Mixon recalled, “and I came on the idea of ice cream. First we clear it with the MDOC and the officials at SMCI, and then after the graduation, we go into the visitation area and provide vanilla ice cream for them, and they love it. One guy came to me with tears in his eyes and told me it had been

“It’s more effective for inmates to reach inmates because they can relate to them more than we can ... The atmosphere of the prison has improved, and it has to do with the ministry of our inmates reaching, working with, and living among other inmates.”

WALTER MIXON, ASSOCIATIONAL MISSION STRATEGIST GEORGE/GREENE COUNTY

35 years since he had had ice cream.” Mixon is now known around the facility as “The Ice Cream Guy” and cannot think of a more honorable title.

Softening hearts

In another facility, a woman leaves the comfort of home to bring joy and Jesus to the incarcerated. Although Jo Ann Hancock had faced the trauma of two armed robberies, she followed God when He called her to prison ministry. “The day I first walked into the prison,” said Hancock, “my heart was softened toward the incarcerated.” She has witnessed the Spirit work in seemingly impossible ways and transform the darkest hearts.

Hancock’s ministry relies on support from church communities. Through social media, she informs local churches and friends how they can minister to the men in prison in ways as simple as packing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or donating socks, soap, and other commodities not easily accessible to them.

Desiring to expand the Bible study outreach within the prison, Hancock turned to the MBCB. “Someone connected me to Beverly Bridges (Ministry Assistant to Jon Martin, Chief Strategy Officer), and I asked her if they would send me some Experiencing God books. They are expensive, and we don’t have any money in the prison to buy curriculum. So the MBCB sent me 50 books and have continued to send

whatever I need. We’re studying several things that they have donated to us. Having our men in these Bible study classes, and not hanging around in the dorm where all the bad things go on, really makes a difference. Many of them have been saved right there in that classroom, and they’ll tell you it is the most wonderful experience in the world.”

Transforming lives

“The whole reason for prison ministry is to see transformed lives,” stated Mixon. Before becoming the Associational Mission Strategist, Mixon pastored over 30 years, and uses his experience to teach a class to the field ministers about practical aspects of pastoring. “The men are in the facility for a reason, and some of these field ministers will never get out for what they have done, but you can see the change in these men. The Lord has truly transformed their lives and they have a true desire to work to see that transformation take place in the population that is there.”

“We drive by jails and prisons every day of our life,” said Martin, “and we never give a second thought to these guys. They’re in prison because they have committed a crime, but that does not remove the fact that they are made in God’s image and need His grace

just as we do. So this is an opportunity to reach and minister to those guys when they are at the lowest of lows, when they’re desperate for help. We believe the Gospel is the answer to that. As Mississippi Baptists, we have the great opportunity to put the Gospel inside of those dark places.”

“I didn’t have time in the world to even think about spiritual matters,” said a Parchman convict. “It wasn’t until my sin led me to a point of being completely broken that I was forced to face my own failures, my own sin, and to cry out to God to save me because I had no other options at that point. It was either that or die. And it was the greatest blessing ever to come to that point because God used that to spark life in me. He filled me with an insatiable desire, a hunger and a thirst, for His Word and His righteousness. And since that time, I’m not perfect — because we’re all flawed — but I’ve been striving to know the Lord and to make Him known to other people as much as I possibly can.”

Your gifts to the Cooperative Program help support Prison Ministry. Learn more by emailing Don Lum at dlum@mbcb.org.

MBCB Ministry Job Board helps connect ministers and churches

BY JOHN PACE

The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) Leadership Department now offers an exciting tool and opportunity in the MBCB Ministry Job Board for churches that are seeking God’s will in finding a new pastor or minister at their church, and for pastors and ministers seeking God’s direction for a new place of ministry service.

“In the past, we maintained files of resumes sent from ministers that we would share with churches in response to their ministry requests and needs,” said John Pace, director of MBCB's Leadership depart-

ment. “Instead of maintaining and sending resumes to churches as we have done previously, we are now hosting a Ministry Job Board for churches and ministers through our website for churches and ministers to make more immediate and direct connection.”

Since the start of the Ministry Job Board in the fall of 2023, numerous connections have been made between churches and ministers, including many ministers being called to ministry positions at churches. As of spring 2024, 157 open ministry positions at MBCB churches and MBCB-affiliated organizations

and institutions are listed on the ministry job board.

“As pastors and ministers feel God’s conviction to seek a new place of service, we pray that the Ministry Job Board will be an important tool that the Holy Spirit uses to bring together churches and potential ministers,” Pace said. “We encourage ministers seeking God’s direction in ministry to review prayerfully the open positions on the Ministry Job Board a few times each week, and send resumes to churches as led by the Holy Spirit.”

Nick Hodges, pastor of Eastside Baptist Church, Belzoni, is one of the ministers who used the Ministry Job Board to seek God’s place of service for him in ministry. While reviewing the postings, Hodges saw the listing from Eastside seeking a pastor for their church. He submitted his resume through the job board, and the next day the church contacted him and they started the discussion process that

How do I post a job?

Church leaders and search teams desiring to receive resumes from potential pastors and ministers for a ministry position at their church can post their ministry job listing on the job board by simply following these simple steps:

• Go to the MBCB Ministry Job Board page at www.mbcb.org/connect/submit-a-job/.

• Click on “Submit a Ministry Job Opening.”

• Fill out the requested fields on the ministry job submission form.

• When you have completed the ministry job submission form, click “submit” at the end of the form.

• Once you have submitted your job submission form it will be posted on our site after undergoing a short review process.

• Pray daily for God’s blessing and guidance in leading your church to His will for your next pastor or minister.

led him to become their pastor.

“The Ministry Job Board is an excellent ‘middle man’ to help churches and pastors quickly and simply make connections that may lead to discovering that next place of service for a minister,” Hodges shared. “In the past resume services process, ministers never really knew how many times their resume was sent out, and who it was sent to. The Ministry Job Board allows a minister to prayerfully and personally decide themselves, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, when and to whom to send their resume.”

First Baptist Church, Terry, is one of the churches that has used the Ministry Job Board to connect with and call their new pastor, T.C. Kinney.

“When we started our pastor search process, we posted on the Ministry Job Board and received quite a few resumes from potential candidates, including T.C. As we prayerfully talked with the candidates,

How do I find a job?

Pastors and ministers seeking opportunities for a full-time or bivocational ministry position can review the available ministry positions listed on our Ministry Job Board, and submit your resume to churches, by following these steps:

• Visit our MBCB Ministry Job Board at www.mbcb.org/connect/find-a-job/.

• Scroll through and review the positions listed on the Ministry Job Board.

• If you see a ministry job listing to which God leads you to submit a resume, click “Apply Now.” This will allow you to send an email with your attached resume to the Search Committee.

• Pray for God’s will to be done for the church and your ministry.

God led us to realize that he was the one to be our next pastor. We are thankful for the Ministry Job Board in helping us make that initial connection,” said Wayne Wiggs, chairman of the Pastor Search Committee at First Baptist Church, Terry.

“We received resumes from various sources in our process, and many times when we called we found that the ministers were not really interested in a potential move. We loved that when we received resumes from the Ministry Job Board we knew those resumes were coming from candidates who were interested at that moment in discussions with us as a pastoral candidate.”

The Leadership department is also available to assist churches and ministers with a full range of resources during the search process.

"Our Leadership Department is also always available to meet with churches and Pastor/Minister Search Committees for training in their important task; discussion, guidance, and prayer in support of their work; and help in identifying potential interim

and supply preachers for their transition periods,” noted Greg Barker, Pastoral Ministries Consultant/ Bivocational Director in the Leadership Department. “We are also available to assist pastors and ministers in writing or updating their resumes to send to church search teams, and in seeking God’s will for their next assignment in ministry.”

“We are so excited about this new ministry tool for our churches, pastors, ministers, and associations; and we encourage everyone to please share this information with churches, search committees, pastors, ministers, and church and denominational leaders and invite them to start using and engaging the Ministry Job Board,” Pace explained.

The MBCB Ministry Job Board is funded through the Cooperative Program. For more information or assistance in using the Board, or in the pastor/minister search process, contact John Pace at jpace@mbcb.org, Greg Barker at gbarker@mbcb.org, or Elizabeth Lindigrin-Hancock at elindigrin@mbcb.org.

Mississippi Baptist summer camp ministry alive and well

BY TONY MARTIN

The two Mississippi Baptist Convention Board camps, Central Hills Baptist Retreat, Kosciusko, and Garaywa Camp and Conference Center, Clinton, look with anticipation toward summer of 2024.

“Growing up, camp was a place to get away from your everyday routine and focus on your walk with the Lord or even start a relationship with the Lord,” said Roddy Reed, camp manager at Garaywa.

When asked “why camp ministry?” Shane Thrash, camp manager at Central Hills, which began as a Royal Ambassadors camp in 1979, was quick to answer.

“The simple answer is 114,” said Thrash. “That’s how many professions of faith we had last summer. We had 101 the year before that, and a hundred the year before that. Then you have to drop to pre-Covid times. But that’s the whole reason we have horses, rifles, swimming, pool, lake, zip lines, and all that stuff. It’s amazing. That draws in kids so we can tell them about Jesus. To see those professions of faith, to see those kids when their eyes light up, when they get it — that’s amazing.”

“People get away from all their normal stuff. They

get in a retreat setting and they can focus on what God is doing,” Reed said. “We guide them into that, whether it’s becoming a new believer, hearing the Gospel for the first time or the hundredth time, and they finally hear it in a place that is truly focused on them.”

“We’re constantly adding activities and looking at things,” Thrash said. “I’m currently serving as president-elect for the Deep South section of the National Christian Camps and Conference Association. I get to meet with camp managers from Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana and talk with them. I’m going to be traveling to their camps, seeing what they’re doing, and seeing what might work here as we continue to grow and add new things to our camps.”

Many in ministry can trace their call back to Garaywa, including Jim Futral, executive director-treasurer emeritus, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, and Jerry Rankin, former president, International Mission Board.

“What I love about camp is that it throws everybody out of their comfort zone,” said Jordan East, camp director at Garaywa. “Once you’re out of that and you

Central Hills Summer Camp Staff 2023

Garaywa Summer Camp Staff 2023

accept that, then you’re willing to try new things. So we give campers the opportunity to do great fun stuff like the zipline and to use their creativity with crafts and other things like that. We show them in day-today activities: God is still here, and you don’t have to be in a church setting in order to grow.”

When asked what this summer’s programming would look like, Thrash said, “Our theme is a superhero theme. We’re still nailing down the specifics of that, but it’s looking at superheroes in the Bible, a superheroes for Jesus kind of thing.

“Our standard day is that we get up and do our big Bible study in the morning group time,” he continued. “We have a breakout time, and then we have small groups in the afternoons filled with all the camp activities. We come back together at night for another large group worship time. That varies depending on the style of camp. We do two or three different styles of camp, but that’s basically the schedule.”

Central Hills hosted 2,069 campers in 2023. In 2019, the camp hosted 2,804 campers. “We’re about six or seven hundred off what we’d gotten up to be-

Plans for expansion of ministries and facilities at both Mississippi Baptist camps are in the works. Garaywa plans to replace the cabins (above) with lodges, while Central Hills plans to completely renovate Carey and Curtis lodges (at right).

fore Covid,” Thrash said. “I’m anticipating close to 2,500 [this season].”

There are major plans for expansion of ministries and facilities at Garaywa.

“We are planning to replace our cabins with lodges,” Reed said. Tentative plans call for double-decker lodges with bathrooms.

“We don’t want to lose the traditions of Garaywa and the fun things that make us who we are,” East said. “But our updated lodges would be great because we don’t have to use the bathhouses any more. That’s exciting in itself.”

Since Garaywa began in 1947, many lives have been impacted. Through 2023, Garaywa has hosted 140,034 summer campers. There have been 5,905 professions of faith, 4,916 rededications, and 2,548 call to missions. There have been 339,270 other guests for a grand total of 479,304 people who have been ministered to at Garaywa.

Other plans for facilities are in the works at Central Hills.

“We’re looking at a complete renovation of the lodges [Carey and Curtis],” Thrash said. “We’ll completely tear out the bathrooms and redo them. We’ll repaint all the walls, put in new LED lights, and new flooring in the main lobbies. We’ll take the old siding off and put Hardie board all the way around the buildings. There will be new windows and a new front porch covering.” The activities building will get an overhaul on the outside, including a new porch.

Other long-range plans include an indoor worship center and a five-and-a-half-acre lake.

“The intentions are to eventually build an adult retreat conference center,” Thrash said. “If we do that, we want to make sure that all our kids’ camp stuff is here and the adults have a serene view of the lake.”

Your gifts to the Cooperative Program pay the salaries of employees of both Central Hills and Garaywa, freeing up other funds for camp ministries and renovations. For more information on camp ministries, visit Garaywa.org or the Central Hills Facebook page. Additional information can be found under the Ministries tab at mbcb.org.

Discern retreat equips students to follow their call to ministry

BY MEGAN YOUNG AND TONY MARTIN

Since its inception six years ago, Discern has given students an outlet to contemplate their call to ministry and explore how they can respond to that call. The most recent event was January 5 – 6, 2024, at Garaywa Camp and Conference Center.

“We want to help them understand what all that means, what all that entails,” said Ken Hall, student ministry consultant in the Discipleship/Sunday School department of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. “How do they know if God is really calling them to full-time vocational ministry? What

are different ways that God calls? What does He call us to? What does that look like down the road?”

For students like Makayla Sloan, a high school senior and member of Smithville Baptist Church, Smithville, Discern provided an opportunity to explore the answer to those questions.

“I feel this deep need to do something for the Lord,” said Sloan. “I have this deep need to serve him, not this deep need to just want to be used by him. I’m not exactly sure what that means yet. So to come to a place that I’ve struggled with a question for so long — to come somewhere that is helping me slowly but surely understand what he’s calling me to do — is a blessing in itself.”

To help students navigate this call, they were given the opportunity to draw from the wealth of knowledge of seasoned ministry staff from around the state who have been exactly where they are now. Group worship, specialized ministry breakout sessions, and a panel discussion were highlights of the event.

“We bring in different practitioners from different areas of ministry to come in and let them spend time with them to find out how did they know God was

calling them? How did they get led to the ministry that they’re doing now?” said Hall.

Discern not only teaches students how to understand their call to ministry, but it emphasizes helping their youth leaders guide them through that journey.

“We certainly have students who feel called to ministry. We want to find ways to equip them and equip the youth leaders who would be equipping them,” said Aaron Sibley, student minister at First Baptist Church, Brandon, and Discern planning team member.

L.D. Gillespie, youth pastor at Green Valley Baptist Church, Pontotoc, said that the two-day retreat was beneficial to him and the four students he brought because it exposed them to the experiences and expertise of ministry leaders in an expanded context outside of their church.

“You go to church camp or D-Now and they hear the things you might say yourself, but when you go somewhere else, it just kind of hits a little different as we hear from someone else that they’re not listening to all the time,” said Gillespie. “I think it’s important to go see people, other viewpoints of what ministry

“I feel this deep need to do something for the Lord...I’m not exactly sure what that means yet. So to come to a place that I’ve struggled with a question for so long — to come somewhere that is helping me slowly but surely understand what he’s calling me to do — is a blessing in itself.”

MAKAYLA SLOAN, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR

looks like or other aspects of ministry that I may not be as strong in.”

Andrew Irwin, youth pastor, First Baptist Church, Laurel, also spoke to the value of Discern.

“We have Discern as a way to come alongside the local church, have an event just for kids, and students that are feeling a call,” Irwin said. “So it’s like a special weekend for that, where they can get alone, get away from distractions. They’re around students that are feeling that same type thing. And so we want that weekend to kind of bring clarity to what is ministry and expose people as far as to the realities of it. We want to help them not go into it with false motives. If you’re going to this just for your own pride, that isn’t going to work.

“Or if you’re going just to get on stage, that isn’t going to work,” Irwin continued. “That’s why we were very particular who we bring in to lead the main sessions. We always have a breakout session that will have people that are in ministry and several different types of ministry — youth ministry education, children, counseling, pastoring, church planting, BSU. All that’s going to be represented so kids can get a wide range of, ‘okay, I may not be called to be a senior pastor, but I may be called to be a children’s minister.’”

The future health of Mississippi churches and the need to invest in and prepare the next generation of ministers is the ultimate goal of Discern.

“We have churches that are looking for pastors and youth ministers. We can’t fill all the positions,” said Hall. “Our churches have gotten away from really cultivating folks to go into the ministry. And so not only has this retreat been a part of it, but trying to help our pastors get back to where it’s a part of their response and invitation time to invite people to answer the call to ministry.

“So we’re just trying to also create awareness among churches to be on the lookout for these folks. And then let’s try to give them some tools that they can navigate this part of their life.”

Discern is funded through the Cooperative Program. Learn more about the ministry by emailing Ken Hall at khall@mbcb.org.

Christian Action Commission: Across the street and across the state

BY REBEKAH PEAVY

Sitting in the gallery at the Mississippi capitol during his first legislative session as executive director of the Christian Action Commission, Kenny Digby listened as the governor clearly communicated plans to establish a statewide lottery. Once the governor concluded, a newspaper writer seated near Digby stood up, turned to the director and challenged, “Preacher, what are y’all going to do about that?”

There hasn’t been an “easy” year since Digby accepted the leadership role of Mississippi Baptists’ agency established to address social, moral, and ethical issues. “Between ‘medical’ marijuana, destroying local option law on alcohol of 1963, the lottery, sports gaming... I’m just here to tell you there will always be issues across the street,” Digby said. Even in a state as currently conservative as Mississippi, a siege of proposals through state government and battle for the culture are constantly underway.

Engaging the culture

As far back as the 1960s, Mississippi Baptists were observing trends concerning enough that action became their convictional position. Messengers to the annual Convention elected to form a Christian Action Commission, which was established in 1963. To lead the charge, a board of trustees was selected to represent the biblical convictions of the denominational group in the capital city and throughout the

state. Those trustees were given the responsibility of electing their executive director-treasurer. In 2016, after an extended search following the retirement of now executive director-emeritus Jimmy Porter, the trustees elected Digby to steer the ship.

Had he moved to Jackson to be successful, Digby admits, he would have been forced to pack up and resign from the Commission years ago. “Across the street and across the state, I’ve lost more battles than I’ve won,” Digby acknowledged, “but God didn’t call me down here to be successful. He called me down here to be faithful.” Faithfulness as a representative of Christ and the leader of the CAC is lived out by offering a difference, Digby said. “We don’t ‘make’ a difference,” he continued, “we offer a difference, and that difference we offer is a Bible worldview.”

Suporting local church leaders

Whether interacting with legislators at the Capitol or preaching on difficult topics from the pulpits of Mississippi Baptist churches, emphasizing a biblical worldview is a central theme of the Commission’s ministry. “There are difficult subjects, especially when it comes to points of morality and ethics, that as the Church we don’t necessarily enjoy addressing,” said David Hamilton, senior pastor of West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc. Hamilton has served West Heights for more than 25 years, two of those also spent leading the Mississippi Baptist Convention as president. While church members and church leaders might admit there are topics they would prefer to avoid, “if we don’t deal with it in our churches, our kids are going to hear about it in the

world, and unfortunately they won’t hear from a biblical standpoint,” Hamilton said.

Digby knows how to address sensitive topics well, Hamilton affirmed, “strictly from a biblical worldview.” West Heights invited Digby for a special emphasis Sunday. In addition to having the director deliver the sermon that morning, there was a unique combined teaching session where he addressed both the youth and adults on gender issues. “Gender identity is a sensitive subject,” Hamilton said, “but Dr. Digby did an excellent job.”

Hamilton said he would encourage any pastor or youth minister to invite Digby to address the tough topics that stem from social issues. While they should always be addressing these same issues through the pulpit themselves, ministers can bring in Digby to

reinforce the message, as his position with the CAC may lend his words “a little more weight” with some hearers. “Dr. Digby can come in and deal with it,” Hamilton said, then the minister who walks in step with the church week after week will be present for follow up. Questions will likely be raised after a difficult subject is broached in a featured presentation, Hamilton observed, which facilitates further discussion and opportunities for ongoing discipleship.

Encouraging Mississippi Baptists to be equipped with a biblical worldview is a ministry of the CAC that Chris Layton, a trustee and previous chairman of the board, shares he is most passionate about. As associate pastor to students for First Baptist Church of Brookhaven, Layton is well familiar with the need to equip students and families to deal with the hard subjects the world throws at them. “Scripture tells us to be ready to give a defense for why we believe what we believe,” Layton said. In today’s culture, there are a lot of different voices telling students what to believe. Layton recognizes a gaping need “to strengthen the faith of students by giving them some handles that are easily accessible.” There are students who crave that equipping of their faith, he said. “They’re hungry for solid biblical answers and want to be able to give a defense for their faith.” These are the students for whom the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) was designed.

Preparing for the future

When Digby accepted the CAC’s reins, one of the visions he quickly set about implementing was the founding of the CLI. Sponsored by the Commission, the Institute is an annual event that brings together teenagers from churches across the state for leadership development. The weeklong event is designed to fill a niche in Mississippi Baptist life. Whether CLI students will go on to be elected to local, state, or national office, or lead through civil service, educational, or ministerial roles, the CLI’s speakers encourage participants to follow the Lord’s lead. “What happens there, bringing in great political leaders who are also great people of faith, is so important,” Layton said. “We need students to view the political arena as a place to be reached.”

Through his ministerial role, Layton has encoun-

tered young people gifted in leadership who take a keen interest in politics. “They need to have an avenue to discover that God can use the giftings He’s given them to make an impact for His kingdom in government,” he said.

Three-time coach and mentor for the CLI Mathinee Spencer affirms that the weeklong training “doesn’t shelter students, but equips them to go back to their homes, churches, schools, and communities to share and become godly leaders.” An educator and pastor’s wife, Spencer has seen her own daughters’ lives impacted by the CLI. One of the young women has been able to share her faith through a class in which she’s enrolled, and the other is active in her campus Baptist Student Union, preparing to serve through Mission Arlington and summer missions in Oregon.

Fighting for life

Years before the CLI became a reality, Christian Action leaders in Mississippi were investing in another area of leadership — in support of life. The “House of Pennies” was constructed on the northwest corner of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board’s property in downtown Jackson. Pennies came pouring in from churches across the state, each one representing a life taken by abortion as part of the “Memorial to the Missing,” established by CAC and Convention Board leadership. In 2008 those pennies were invested with the Mississippi Baptist Foundation in the form of the Memorial to the Missing Endowment Fund for the purpose of supporting pro-life causes in Mississippi. As of the end of 2023, the Fund’s 15th year, Mississippi Baptists have given more than $215,000 from accrued interest to support pro-life ministries through the Memorial.

As interest is earned on the Memorial year after year, Commission members have been entrusted with the evaluation of applications from qualifying organizations for grants from the Fund. Susan Kremer Jones, executive director for the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of Gulfport, applied for assistance to repair and refit a workroom space to better provide for volunteers. Conditions in this area of the Center made it “hard to get anything done” in the space, Jones said. She explained that the support

“We need students to view the political arena as a place to be reached. They need to have an avenue to discover that God can use the giftings He’s given them to make an impact for His kingdom in government."

CHRIS LAYTON, CAC TRUSETEE

CLI photos: Dr. Thomas Magers II

provided by Mississippi Baptists from the Memorial helped transform the state of the workroom from one which made volunteers’ service more challenging, to one equipped for organization and efficiency. She also noted that the space now offers a haven for volunteers and staff to gather for prayer before their workdays begin.

Throughout the year, Gulfport’s WRC and centers like it across the state work hard to increase awareness among local churches and businesses about the resources they offer to their local communities. Churches partner through baby bottle campaigns, and events like the WRC’s “Biscuits for Babies” create awareness among the business community and other secular partners. Funding from these and other partnerships is typically channeled straight to client services though, Jones explained, leaving little or nothing for a project like the Memorial helped to support.

Challenging Mississippi Baptists to not allow their pro-life emphasis to slip in a post-Roe era is a goal of the CAC. “If we’re talking the talk, we’ve got to walk the walk,” Jones said. In 2024, “if anything, we are needed more.” Jones says the number of clients who walk through the Center’s door is exploding, “whether it’s for the pregnancy test and ultrasounds or the education part of it.” Bible study and mentoring are critical components of WRC Gulfport’s ministry. “We

“I think the Christian Action Commission is a goldmine for our state. I think it may be one of those untapped resources.”

DAVID

HAMILTON,

SENIOR PASTOR WEST

HEIGHTS

BAPTIST CHURCH, PONTOTOC

are here to deep dive and to help these people in any way that we can. We are constantly trying to help meet needs that go outside of our scope just because we love them. We want them to succeed and to break cycles.”

Staff and volunteers in Centers for Pregnancy Choices across Mississippi are offering a difference on a daily basis to women and families in their communities. “We are called to be candles,” Digby says, whether the context is a CPC or a small church running 13 in Sunday School, or the Convention’s top leadership roles.

Offering a difference

Many who know Digby are familiar with his assertion that his middle name is “Available.” Hamilton affirms the claim. “One of the things about Kenny is he has made himself available to any of our churches, regardless of size. He’ll come in and he can preach revivals, he can preach on those sensitive issues.” The issues we face in our state, in our nation, have to be dealt with, “and we’ve got a resource there with the Christian Action Commission that I think is second to none.”

Hamilton encourages pastors and churches not to miss the resource provided by Cooperative Program giving in the form of the Commission. “I would recommend any of our pastors to call Kenny, call the office,” he said. “I think the Christian Action Commission is a goldmine for our state. I think it may be one of those untapped resources.”

Your gifts to the Cooperative Program help support the Christian Action Commision. Learn more by emailing Rebekah Peavy at rpeavy@christianaction.com or calling Kenny Digby at 662.284.9163.

Photo credit: Blue Mountain Christian University

Blue Mountain Christian University shines a light for 150 years

BY TANNER CADE

Capturing the moment of a grand historical marker is most appropriately viewed through the lens of the Biblical text. This approach is exactly as Blue Mountain Christian University’s President, Barbara McMillin, wrote about in the most recent President’s Report magazine.

“The rebuilding of the wall was certainly an occasion for rejoicing — and the Israelites did not miss the moment!” McMillin said, referencing Nehemiah 8 after the construction of the wall was completed. “It was a season of joyous celebration.”

numerous occasions for rejoicing on the Hill” McMillin continued. “We are in a season of joyous celebration — a celebration of God’s enduring faithfulness.”

“We are in a season of joyous celebration — a celebration of God’s enduring faithfulness.”

BARBARA

MCMILLIN, BLUE MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

“And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” Nehemiah 8:12

“Reaching the 150-year milestone has afforded us

According to the Mississippi Baptist history book, Baptist leader M. P. Lowrey opened Blue Mountain College in north Mississippi in 1873. It flourished for the next 46 years as a college for women. Although owned and operated by the Lowrey and Berry families, it maintained a friendly relationship with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, and was regularly listed as one of “our” schools by the State Convention.

At the State Convention in 1919, Blue Mountain College was presented to the Mississippi Baptist Convention as a gift from the Lowrey and Berry

families, with special recognition of the Jennings and Hearn families. Soon thereafter, the deed of the 33 acres of land was officially transferred to the State Convention on May 3, 1920.

Expressing her view on the nearly 100-year relationship with Mississippi Baptists, McMillin said, “The support provided by the Cooperative Program enables us to pursue Christ-centered academic excellence for the purpose of equipping young men and women for positions of leadership, including positions within our Mississippi Baptist churches. Knowing that our work complements and supports the work of the MBC energizes us and compels us to be more committed than ever to our mission.”

In 1956, the institution allowed males to enter to pursue a degree in ministry. Forty-nine years later, in 2005, the Board of Trustees approved a recommendation to become a fully co-ed liberal arts college.

The institution has expanded degree offerings and activities, most notably within athletics, resulting in increased enrollment. The university added a business school and received approval from the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) to launch a nursing school in August of 2022.

The School of Nursing program helped address the nursing shortage in the region and produces professionals through Christ-centered instruction.

“We will continue to explore opportunities to develop our nursing program as well as other health-related programs,” said McMillin. “I am excited about our ongoing commitment to education centered in a Christian worldview; this commitment is more relevant and more needed than ever before."

Blue Mountain College was renamed Blue Mountain Christian University in 2022. Today, the University offers 46 majors and programs, eight men’s sports, 10 women’s sports, and nine club and Junior Varsity sports.

“I am really excited to be teaching at the BMCU at the time of the 150th Anniversary” exclaimed Dr. Ronald Meeks, Chair and Professor of Biblical Studies. “To me it is amazing that from meager beginnings in 1873, God has blessed and used BMCU to be a light to Mississippi and to the world.”

In the 1950s, Blue Mountain College partnered with Mississippi Baptist to start a ministerial program to equip future leaders in the church. This was

a milestone moment in the history of the school that directly impacted the growth of pastoral leadership in Mississippi churches.

Over the decades, graduates have served in hundreds of churches and in a variety of key roles within the Convention leadership.

“I feel that the most significant places of service [for our students] have been in our local churches and on the mission field,” said Meeks. “Churches small and large have benefited from the leadership of BMCU alumni.”

“Understanding that all truth belongs to God, Blue Mountain Christian University has been a champion of truth for 150 years,” said Dr. Shawn Parker, MBCB Executive Director-Treasurer. “In this confused culture, Blue Mountain is perfectly positioned to train students toward the fullness of God’s truth. I’m confident this grand university’s best days are still ahead.”

Meeks spoke about the future by saying, “our confidence in a bright future is highlighted by our theme for the 150th Anniversary Celebration — ‘Be a Light: Celebrating God’s Faithfulness.’ Our intention is to prepare students to be a light by fulfilling

the three-fold mission of Christ —preaching, teaching, and healing.”

“The founder, Mark Perrin Lowery, may well have wondered if there were to ever be a first anniversary of the fledgling school,” Dr. Jim Futral, BMCU alumni and MBCB Executive Director-Treasurer emeritus commented. “Through the years over 8,500 graduates have gone out to serve, but beyond that, over 25,000 students have been challenged, encouraged, and blessed by the school.”

“With our eyes on the Lord, we are excited to see what only He can do at BMCU!” exclaimed Dr. McMillin.

Content for this article collected from BMCU’s 2023 President’s Report publication, Mississippi Baptist History Book (updated: releasing in 2024), University website, and personal interviews. Blue Mountain Christian University receives Cooperative Program dollars through the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Three institutions (Blue Mountain Christian University, Mississippi College, and William Carey University) are included in the Christian Education budget. For more information about Blue Mountain Christian Univerisy, visit bmc.edu.

How are Cooperative Program gifts budgeted?

60.75% Mississippi Baptist Convention

39.25% S outher n Baptist Convention

2024 Cooperative Program Budget

MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST CONVENTION BOARD

Contact Us

The Stewardship/Prayer Ministries department at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board is here to help you learn how your church can reach people in Mississippi and around the world through the Cooperative Program. Contact us today for more information!

RICK BLYTHE Director 601.292.3348 • rblythe@mbcb.org

AMY MCKAY Ministry Assistant 601.292.3347 • amckay@mbcb.org

Gather Resources

We have free print and online resources for you to help promote the Cooperative Program in your church. Every item available is presented in our Stewardship/ Prayer Ministries Resource Catalog. The catalog and other resources are easily accessable on our website at mbcb.org/cp.

MISSISSIPPI AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS

Start Now

Through the Cooperative Program, we can do more together to advance the Kingdom than we could ever do on our own. The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board accepts donations online and by mail to the Cooperative Program.

CHURCH RETIREMENT AND

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

TO GIVE ONLINE: Online donations can be made by a church or an individual at www.mbcb.org/give. This will allow you to access past donations, edit recurring donations, and change personal or billing information.

TO GIVE BY MAIL: Make your checks payable to “Mississippi Baptist Convention Board” and send to: Mississippi Baptist Convention Board P.O. Box 530, Jackson, MS 39205-0530

UPCOMING EVENTS

March

3-10 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Week of Prayer/Missions Study for North American Missions

7 Small Church Youth Ministry Workshop

Drew Baptist Church, Drew

8-9 KidMin Toolbin

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

11 Senior Adult Leadership Training

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center

17 Substance Abuse Prevention (CAC Emphasis)

18-19 Ministry Assistants Conference and Training

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

31 Easter Sunday

April

5-6 Mother/Daughter Weekend

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center

7 Baptism Sunday

13 Students Speakers’ Tournament

First Baptist Church, Clinton

15 State Preaching Conference

Blue Mountain Christian University, Blue Mountain

15 State Bible Drill

Emmanuel Baptist Church, Grenada

16 State Preaching Conference

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

16 State Bible Drill

First Baptist Church, Clinton

17 State Preaching Conference

William Carey University, Hattiesburg

18 State Bible Drill

Hillcrest Baptist Church, New Albany & First Baptist Church, Brookhaven

19-20 Mississippi Missionary Parents Fellowship

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

20 State Bible Drill

Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Clinton & Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church, Meridian

22 State Bible Drill

First Baptist Church, Starkville

23 State Bible Drill

First Baptist Church, Batesville & Petal-Harvey Baptist Church, Petal

25 State Bible Drill

First Baptist Church, Tupelo

27 State Bible Drill

Crossgates Baptist Church, Brandon

May

7 Senior Adult Choir Festival

Meadow Grove Baptist Church, Brandon

12 The Baptist Children’s Village Day of Emphasis

14 Church Safety for Minors Workshop

Countrywoods Baptist Church, Byram

17-18 Church Financial Leaders Seminar

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

27-31 Camp Ruby

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

June

3-6 Connect Student Camp 1

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

3-7 Girl’s Camp Week 1

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

7-8 Lad-Dad Weekend

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

10-13 Connect Student Camp 2

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

10-14 Girl’s Camp Week 2

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

10-14 Students Camp Week 1

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

10-16 Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir & Orchestra Rehearsal Camp and Tour

William Carey University, Hattiesburg and various churches

11-12 Southern Baptist Convention Indianapolis, Indiana

17 Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir & Orchestra Home Concert First Baptist Church, Jackson

17-19 Co-ed Camp Week 1

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

17-19 Connect Kids Camp 1

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

20-22 Family Camp

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

20-22 Connect Kids Camp 2

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

24-26 Connect Kids Camp 3

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

24-28 Girl’s Camp Week 3

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

25-29 HeartSong Youth Music & Worship Arts Camp

William Carey University, Hattiesburg

27-29 Connect Kids Camp 4

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

July

1-3 Day Camp for Children

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

1-4 Summer Missions Camp for Boys (RA Camp)

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

7 Citizenship & Religious Liberty Sunday (CAC Emphasis)

8-10 Children’s Camp1

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

8-12 Girl’s Camp Week 4

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

8-12 Super Summer

Mississippi College, Clinton

8-12 Christian Leadership Institute

Blu Mountain Christian University, Blue Mountain

9-12 SMACK (Summer Music and Arts Camp for Kids) Camp

William Carey University, Hattiesburg

11-13 Children’s Camp2

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

15-17 Co-ed Camp Week2

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

15-17 Children’s Camp3

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

18-20 State Literacy Missions & CWJC/CMJC Conference

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

18-20 Children’s Camp 4

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

22-24 Children’s Camp 5

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

22-26 Girl’s Camp Week 5

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

22-26 Student Camp Week 2

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

25-26 Mississippi Worship & Media Conference

First Baptist Church, Fannin

26 Youth Night

Brandon Civic Center, Brandon

29-31 Children’s Camp 7

Central Hills Baptist Retreat, West

August

8 Impact Training

Fairview Baptist Church, Columbus

9-10 Hispanic Women’s Retreat

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

12 Impact Training

Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Clinton

13 Impact Training

Longview Point Baptist Church, Hernando

16-17 Equipping Leaders Training

19 Impact Training

Bel-Air Baptist Church, Gulfport

20 Impact Training

Hardy Street Baptist Church, Hattiesburg

25 Global Hunger Sunday (CAC Emphasis)

27 Mississippi Baptist Convention Board Meeting

Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton

For more information, visit mbcb.org/ events

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