MISSION MISSISSIPPI MOMENTS
by LEE PARIS
How prayer has torn down walls in Mississippi
T
he power and emphasis of prayer in the life of Mission Mississippi began over a lunch meeting at the former Primos Northgate in Jackson. The year was 1992. Those
attending this historic gathering, black and white civic and spiritual leaders, would all be confronted by the generationally entrenched barrier that divided the body of Christ, both in this city and across the state. As guest speakers Tom Skinner (black) and Pat Morley (white) shared about their deep friendship, most if not nearly all in the room lacked such relationships that transcended the color wall. Many there were convicted to seek change, sincerely address our state’s Achilles’ heel, and ask of the Lord what it might mean in Mississippi to love our neighbor as Christ admonished in His parable of the Good Samaritan. Intentions were noble, yet most were unsure where to begin. In God’s goodness and in His perfect time, someone suggested an age-old method, used when facing Goliath, the Red Sea, and a sealed tomb — PRAYER! Thus, several began to meet in a police precinct, complete with concrete floors, uncomfortable metal folding chairs, and cold donuts — simply to pray for one another. Early each Tuesday morning, black and white met in this “neutral site” to seek God’s guidance and leading in bringing His body together under His cross, something that had not been done in our state’s history. We all knew that Mississippi, while statistically being the center of Christianity in our country’s Bible Belt, was known as a place of segregation and separation. At that police precinct, sins were confessed, fears addressed, and relationships formed as we prayed for one another. We soon saw we faced similar life challenges: aging parents and grandparents, wayward teenagers, sickness in our families, financial burdens. As we opened up to one another, we saw these were not black or white issues, but ones we mutually shared. As we prayed for each other, seemingly insurmountable racial barriers crumbled, replaced by Christ-centered concern for one another. After a year of praying together in that precinct on Capitol Street, we felt comfortable organizing prayer times in our respective churches. Intentionally, we alternated each week between predominantly black
Columnist Lee Paris, second from left, participates in a Mission Mississippi prayer breakfast.
A Mission Mississippi prayer gathering.
Sunnybrook Estates is a strictly rental independent living retirement community offering spacious apartment living. Low monthly rates with NO long-term lease or buy in required. Rent includes meals, housekeeping, transportation, activities, on-site movie theatre, central heat and air in each apartment and more!
Fabulous Activities ✻ Beautiful Surroundings New Found Friendships ✻ Fine Dining 200 SERENITY LANE, MADISON, MS 39110
sunnybrookestates.net 22 FEBRUARY 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
CALL 601-856-4050
To inquire about Sunnybrook Estates
