Mississippi Christian Living: October 2023

Go Tell Metro MS

Crusade aims for 1,000 salvations

● 40, pregnant — and fighting breast cancer

● Sprayberry spreads ‘Bad News’ and ‘Great News’

PUBLISHER

MS Christian Living, Inc.

EDITOR

Katie Eubanks

katie@mschristianliving.com

ART/GRAPHIC DESIGN

Sandra Goff

SALES

Teresa Howell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

LeShea Gray, Tameka Johnson, Laura Lee Leathers, Sarah Rein, Jade Whitehurst

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Stegall Imagery

DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS

Rachel and Nettie Schulte, Jerri and Sammy Strickland, Rachel and Bob Whatley

Mississippi Christian Living P.O. Box 1819

Madison, MS 39130 601.345.1091 mschristianliving.com

Mississippi Christian Living is committed to encouraging individuals in their daily lives by presenting the faith stories of others and by providing information that will point every person, at every stage of life, to a deeper, authentic, personal, and life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Views expressed in Mississippi Christian Living do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Every effort has been made by the Mississippi Christian Living staff to insure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 by MS Christian Living, Inc.

Mississippi Christian Living is published monthly and is available for free at hightraffic locations throughout the tri-county area. Subscriptions are $29 a year.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Mississippi Christian Living, P.O. Box 1819, Madison, MS 39130.

Harold Sprayberry takes the gospel to kids via his Bad News … Great News Clubs. See page 14. Ben & Cammie Derrick: From the pulpit to the couch

(From left) Percy Thornton, Art Jones, Dr. Meredith Travelstead, Ryan Wade, Carolyn Boteler and Joy Bradford are part of a large group of believers from across the metro who

preparing

the Go Tell Metro MS crusade. Read more on page 20.

STEGALL IMAGERY

The Two

Museums

admission for church groups of

on page 30.

39 years,

The power of God to salvation

In the 2006 thriller “Déjà Vu,” Denzel Washington asks: “What if you had to tell someone the most important thing in the world, but you knew they’d never believe you?”

To which the other character responds: “I’d try.”*

That “important thing” is a sci-fi scenario that happens to be true, at least in the movie. Denzel’s character knows it’s something most people would “never believe.”

In reality, sharing the gospel can feel just as freaky.

Think about it: We’re called to tell people that a rabbi who lived in Israel 2,000 years ago was actually God in the flesh; that when He was crucified by Rome at the behest of religious rivals, He was also paying for all our sins; and that He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will grant eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him.

Baked into that message is the fact that we need saving at all. Nobody wants to hear that sin exists, that they’re filled with it, and that God has to punish it. Also, nobody wants to hear that God offers only one way to be saved: the death of His Son, who willingly took our punishment on the cross. Jesus makes it clear in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.”

Sounds like a message that people would “never believe.”

But here’s the thing: When we share the gospel, the message itself is “the power of God to salvation for all who believe” (Romans 1:16). The power is not in our personality, our communication style, the evidence we present,** or the nice things we say to make up for the not-nice facts about sin and hell.

I hope that takes some pressure off, because if we’re following Jesus, we’re supposed to be talking about Him. To borrow Denzel’s phrasing, we know “the most important thing in the world.” We are beggars who’ve found bread. We are sinners who’ve been forgiven and loved beyond all reason. We would be cruel not to share that love with others.

So why do I cringe when God nudges me to ask a friend about her faith, or offer a pocket Bible to a bank teller, or maybe send a Jesuscentered text to a colleague? Well, because I’m afraid my friend will stop wanting to hang out,

or that the bank teller will roll her eyes, or that my colleague will gossip about me.

Also, I’m convinced that witnessing to people in the Bible Belt is harder. Part of me would rather talk to a Muslim who vocally disagrees with me than to a churchgoer who doesn’t know Jesus but is too polite to tell me off.

Before I spin out, let’s circle back to truth: No matter how many people politely shun us, or argue with us, or (coming soon) persecute us, the Lord of hosts is on our side (Psalm 46:7). When we rest in Him, we have peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7); we can say, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1); and crucially, we can share the truth with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), not condemnation or animosity.

Bottom line, sharing the gospel is the most important thing any of us will do in this life. That’s why MCL’s October cover story is about the Go Tell America crusade coming to Brandon Amphitheater on October 15-18. See page 22 to find out how you can be involved, from handing out pizza to counseling people who make decisions for Christ.

Art Jones, one of this month’s cover people interviewed about the crusade, was previously featured on the MCL cover in 2018. In fact, his was the very first MCL cover shoot I attended. As I celebrate five years with MCL, I pray we’d never deviate from our mission of pointing people to Christ. Thank you for reading, and let’s “Go Tell” some people about Jesus!

*”Déjà Vu” is not a Christian movie but contains some cool themes about God, time and space. Read the rating information before watching, especially with kids.

**Evidence can’t give someone faith in Christ — the Holy Spirit does that — but the facts can be helpful and fun. Check out Josh McDowell at Josh.org, Lee Strobel at LeeStrobel.com, or Gary Habermas at GaryHabermas.com. For more philosophical arguments, read C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” or Timothy Keller’s “The Reason for God.” Y

Katie Eubanks Ginn

With Stephen in Oxford.

Are we building our own kingdoms, or His?

Iteach history two days a week with a group of fifth-graders, and preparing for that course is a joy. As my students and I read, week after week, we encounter stories of people who used their time on earth to chase wealth, power, and fame.

The endings take on a familiar refrain: The Japanese daimyo fights his whole life to control territory, only to die in battle at the height of his power; Charles V abdicates the throne he worked his whole life to secure; Henry Hudson desperately searches for the Northwest Passage through the New World and loses his life in the pursuit.

You find yourself thinking, didn’t they know they weren’t going to live forever? Didn’t they realize these things had an expiration date? As a Christian reading these histories in the 21st century, I’d like to think we know better, but I’m not so sure.

I’ll venture to say that no mom reading this article will have the chance to build an international empire. But friends, don’t we still manage to become obsessed with our own trivial kingdoms here on Earth?

How many of us are laboring over the image in the mirror — worrying over wrinkles and outfit choices and counting macros? How many of us are fixated on health - buying organic food, using natural

cleaners, avoiding conventional medicine - to the point that it consumes our thoughts? How many of us can’t see and relish the good things in our lives because we are nagged by jealousy over the lives of our friends or acquaintances on social media? How many of us are troubled about our children’s success in school or on the sports field?

Could we pause and hear God’s Word tell us: “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” – Ecclesiastes 1:14.

I don’t mean to suggest that there is nothing worthy about some of the above goals. Being a Christian with eternity in mind doesn’t mean you can’t use anti-aging serum or decorate your home well. But, sisters in Christ, let’s live as women who know the truth. Our beauty will fade, our bodies will age, we will not achieve perfect health, and any material blessings we accumulate will turn to dust. Let’s shepherd our families well as we march toward the eternal kingdom — our real home. Y

Sarah Rein and her husband, Trey, are raising their four children in Brandon, where Trey is a school principal and Sarah is home a LOT. Luckily she’s an introvert who enjoys reading and learning about new things and people. The Reins love their church family at Lakeside Presbyterian and coffee.

RHOADS DESIGNS SOLD

AT

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• Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, Pearl & Ridgeland 601.856.7546

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• Peterson’s, Vicksburg 601. 636.7210

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• Brandon, Mississippi artist, Chuck Rhoads, designs images on aluminum metal and bonds it to handmade glass making these beautiful Repousse' plates and trays unique

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• Christmas orders now being taken for personalized art

• Beautiful decor for businesses and churches

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“ How many of us are laboring over the image in the mirror — worrying over wrinkles and outfit choices and counting macros?”

Ory,

Jesse C. Ethridge, M.D.

Barbara D. Sullivan, M.D.

Leland D. Gebhart III, M.D.

Meredith M. Travelstead, M.D.John R. Wooley, M.D.

Ashley M. Johnson, M.D.Amanda G. Nicols, M.D.

Things, self, and health: Where are your values?

Have you ever purchased an item that required assembly? Normally those items come with instructions on how to assemble the parts in order to fulfill the product’s purpose. Prior to selling the item, hopefully, the manufacturer tested and retested the product for functionality and durability. Given the manufacturer’s expertise on how to build the package they created, we are wise to follow the assembly instructions. This proves we value the manufacturer’s insight and want the best outcome for what they have created.

Do you pay as much attention to your physical body? It has a Creator who has the blueprints and instructions for how to care for it and maximize its intended purpose. When you don’t feel well, and you seek care from your healthcare provider, do you take heed of his or her recommendations? Do you follow those instructions and recognize the insight he or she has been given into promoting optimal care for part of God’s creation — your body? When we seek medical attention, we are to pray for healing and for God’s wisdom to come from that healthcare provider; then, we should follow sound advice.

Are we not as important as the material things we acquire? To Christ, we are. We see “Handle with care” on valuable packages, and those are also Christ’s instructions for our bodies. As Christians, we know we are priceless to God. We are more precious than any package we could ever purchase. We were created for a purpose. The Bible tells us we have been given at least one spiritual gift that requires nurturing and cultivation.

We do this by acting in accordance with God’s will and surrounding ourselves with likeminded believers who will help us grow into spiritual maturity, but the gift of health and wellness has been given to us all.

If we study our Bibles, review our food labels, and maintain our exercise routines, we begin to practice wellness. With routine physical activity, we build muscle, strengthen bones, and make cellular improvements from the inside out. With nutritious foods, we fuel our bodies to improve gastrointestinal concerns, manage weight, regulate uncontrolled glucose, and promote heart health, along with a host of other benefits.

Living a lifestyle of wellness can encourage others to choose Christ and work to take care of their physical bodies — the temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in — as well. This allows us to be accountable to one another in love, as taught in the Holy Bible He inspired us to follow. Let’s make the daily decision to follow God’s will, choose our actions wisely, and prioritize our health. We are the body of Christ, and it is time for us to value Him as our spiritual and physical Creator consistently. Y

Tameka is the health education director at H.E.A.L. Mississippi. She has a degree in Culinary Arts and in Nutrition and Food Systems, and has been a practicing registered dietitian for over 13 years.

The

Chamberlain Holiness Lectures at Wesley Biblical Seminary

WHEN BURDEN BECOMES BLESSING

AN OPEN LECTURE SERIES FEATURING Dr. Matt Ayars, Dr. Chris Bounds, & Dr. Caleb Friedeman, AUTHORS OF Holiness: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Theology

GOD’S COMMAND TO “BE HOLY” was never meant to enslave us. As we read scripture closely and look back on our history in light of the best of the Wesleyan theological tradition, we are set free by the power of the Spirit to be perfected in the likeness of Christ.

OCTOBER 2325, 2023

6–7:30 PMCST nightly

VIRTUAL & INPERSON

Hosted at MADISON GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH

100 Post Oak Rd, Madison, MS 39110

REGISTER AT WBS.EDU/CHAMBERLAIN

DR. MATT AYARS WESLEY BIBLICAL SEMINARY

DR. CHRIS BOUNDS INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

DR. CALEB FRIEDEMAN OHIO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

OCTOBER 2023 FROM IVP ACADEMIC

How to lose the weight of perfection

Doesn’t it feel amazing to hit your weight loss goal? To see that number you’ve been working so hard for finally hit the scale is rewarding. However, I want to challenge you to lose a different kind of weight: the weight of perfection.

I just gave birth to our third and final baby in mid-August, and while I am so eager to begin my workouts again, I want to be mindful of the why and the what my goals are rooted in. It is so easy to let comparison and worldly expectations of how I should look creep into my heart.

Therefore I want to be mindful and godly in how I approach any goal. To do this, I ask myself a few heart-check questions:

● Are these goals realistic when considering my time, energy, and capabilities in this season?

● Do I just wish this, or do I want this?

● Who am I trying to please? God, myself, or man?

● Am I rooting my goals and expectations in perfection, or in Christ?

How do I measure whether I am in a perfection or Christlike mindset? The best way is to look at my initial response when I do not meet my goals. If it is frustration and defeat, I am more likely seeking perfection. If it is growth and grace, my goals are likely rooted in Christ.

Like our walk with Christ, our health and fitness goals are not a destination to be reached on this side of eternity. Instead, it is a journey in which we grow and make improvements along the way. It is also about learning to view our health journey as a praise response to the One who designed our bodies to move in the first place. We are already immeasurably loved by God just the way we are, and that is WHY we live it out in and through our healthy and holy habits.

I believe this is why so many fail and give up: We have the wrong

mindset before we ever start! It is a “do to get” mentality instead of an “I do because I have” mentality. When you have the mindset (and heartset) that you already are loved and are not working to be loved, you will find so much more joy in your journey.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, let me urge you to stop carrying the weight we were never designed to carry — perfection. Stand confident in knowing that you are in Christ, but you are not Christ — and thank goodness! This is a solid and humble reminder that I am human. It is time we stop letting Satan steal our joy from making healthier choices, and begin showing up because of WHOSE we are, not because of who we are not. Defeat is not any of ours who are in Christ Jesus. May we walk boldly in that truth. Y

Whitehurst is a wife, mom, fitness coach and eighth-grade science teacher. You can follow her on Instagram @jadewhitehurst_thefaithfitmom.

FALL INTO FRESHNESS!

Jade

“ It is time we stop letting Satan steal our joy from making healthier choices, and begin showing up because of WHOSE we are, not because of who we are not.”

Jade with her baby girl Wren.

Harold Sprayberry tells ‘Bad News’ and ‘Great News’

Equipped with a Bible in one hand and a guitar in the other, Harold Sprayberry ventures into the metro Jackson area for a singular purpose: to share the gospel with children. For the past 10 years, he has used a Bible club that includes games, songs, activities, and Bible stories to reach children with the good news of salvation.

Sprayberry’s Bad News … Great News Clubs meet all around the metro, and he leads seven clubs a week at places like Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi, private daycares, after-school programs, and more.

Sprayberry is greeted with smiles, hugs, and high-fives when he shows up for clubs. With only 45 minutes per club, he is always looking for ways to connect with the kids. One way is through music. Some songs, like “Pharaoh, Pharaoh” and “Bullfrogs and Butterflies,” are older but still fun for younger kids. “The kids sing along and even end up memorizing the songs,” Harold says.

One popular song lists the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5. “It’s great because you’re taking something that’s fun but teaching truth.”

At the clubs, many kids hear a clear gospel message for the first time.

“Most of the kids that I deal with don’t even know John 3:16,” Harold says. “As a child, for me, that was the first verse that I memorized. Their knowledge is very limited, and many kids have never heard about the free gift of salvation.” Instead, they’ve heard things like go to church, obey God, and be a good person; everything but the finished work of Jesus.

Sprayberry adds: “I’ve noticed that sin, the subject of sin, is not talked about that much anymore. It’s because of sin and the condition of our hearts that we need Christ. He’s the one who took the punishment for what we deserve. When they hear that, you can see the kids perk up, and it’s like a light goes off in their heads, and many finally get it and respond.”

Sprayberry has many stories about kids making a decision to trust Jesus, but the children aren’t the only ones getting exposure to the gospel. Leaders are there at every club, overseeing the children and listening.

Sprayberry will usually give an invitation to trust Christ at certain times. With heads bowed and eyes closed, he will ask the kids to raise their hands if they decide. One time, at a club in south

Jackson, he noticed two leaders raising their hands. “It was so incredibly encouraging to see how the Holy Spirit leads in these clubs,” he says.

Sprayberry recounts another encouraging moment: “Several months ago, I had a club in south Jackson, and I would start leading the songs. After one song, this little girl was looking at me, and she raised her hand. She said, ‘After we sing, are we going to pray, read the Bible, and talk about God and Jesus?’

“That absolutely floored me! You don’t see many kids interested in praying and reading the Bible and talking about God, and yet this young girl had an appetite that I think only the Holy Spirit could give her.”

Seeds are being planted every day with Bad News … Great News Clubs, and the harvest is plentiful. Harold says, “This ministry is important to me because it’s important to Christ. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ I think those are profound words that have inspired me to serve in this ministry for such a long time.”

About Harold Sprayberry

Born in 1952, Harold Sprayberry was raised in south Jackson and attended church there until 1981. He then joined Riverwood Bible Church

in Jackson and is still a member. Harold has ministered to children 3 years old and up as well as teenagers from 1970 to now.

In addition to numerous ministry roles, Harold taught and coached junior high kids in private school for two years and public school for eight years. He left teaching and his coaching profession in 1985 to become a youth pastor and children’s director at Riverwood Bible Church for the next 29 years.

At Riverwood, he started a children’s ministry founded in Chicago called AWANA (“Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed,” 2 Timothy 2:15). He worked as commander and Bible lesson leader of this ministry for 27 years. From 2012 to 2014, he led Bible clubs in daycares, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs via Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF).

In 2014, he branched out with his own club called Bad News … Great News Clubs. These clubs are now a part of a larger ministry called International Children’s Outreach of Commerce, Georgia. The mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with boys and girls and train them in Christian living. Y

To reach Harold Sprayberry to pray for or support him, email h_msprayberry@yahoo.com.

“Jesus

said, ‘Let the little children come to Me …’ I think those are profound words that have inspired me to serve in this ministry,” Harold says.

Empowering the diverse abilities of students through an individualized approach to education in a supportive, innovative and transformative environment.

Small Student-to-Teacher Ratio | Workforce Development Program | On-Site Support Services

Accredited and approved by the Mississippi Department of Education to accept students receiving dyslexia therapy scholarships and Education Scholarship Account (ESA) funds.

Rare stroke, miraculous recovery

Last year, a young mom from Meridian experienced an uncommon type of stroke, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and was airlifted to St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson for treatment at its Comprehensive Stroke Center. Lauren Pogue, now 36, not only survived but has experienced a phenomenal recovery.

Lauren’s husband, Jeremy, is a flight paramedic working for an air medical company. He had just gotten home from work on March 2, 2022, when they realized something was wrong. While she was still able to speak clearly, Lauren pointed to her left temple, which was a thunderclap headache — but then her speech became slurred, and she passed out. When she woke up, her speech had changed, and nothing she said made sense. Jeremy recognized the symptoms of stroke and called the medical company he worked for to send a helicopter.

“We’re a good 35 minutes from the nearest hospital, and it’s not a stroke center,” Jeremy said. “I’ve transferred a lot of injured and sick brains around the state. There wasn’t a question mark of where to go — St. Dominic’s.”

The family lives a two-hour drive from St. Dominic’s with their three daughters, ages 8, 10 and 12. Jeremy was able to arrange an ambulance helicopter landing in their front yard. The crew treated and stabilized Lauren on site and took her to St. Dominic to treat her hemorrhagic stroke.

“From the time this happened, care was turned over in 55 minutes,” Jeremy says. “The timeframe was really miraculous. It’s a big part of why she has recovered.”

A multidisciplinary team surrounded Lauren to provide her care. The neurosurgery procedure to stop the bleeding and decrease further risk was successful overall. However, Lauren hit a lot of roadblocks along the way. Lauren’s left internal carotid artery was so damaged it had to be sacrificed. After waking up from the craniotomy, Lauren experienced vasospasms, meaning a brain blood vessel narrowed, blocking blood flow.

During her surgery, Lauren had an encounter with God. “He made the way for me, and when I was in the hospital, He showed me,” Lauren said. “I was with Him, I saw Him, and God was with me.” He told her: “You’re going to be OK.”

Lauren was paralyzed for about two and a half weeks, but she did regain movement, from a wheelchair to being able to walk again. Lauren is now living with some speech and vision deficits, but everything else is essentially unaffected, which is uncommon in patients who’ve had subarachnoid hemorrhages.

“Most people don’t have this level of recovery,” Jeremy said. “We’re blessed and fortunate and realize that. God uses doctors and nurses and anybody in the medical field to help people recover. It’s unbelievable what’s occurred over the last year.” Y

Learn more about St. Dominic’s Comprehensive Stroke Center and your risk of stroke by visiting stdom.com.

From left: Jeremy and Lauren Pogue, Amber Herron (St. Dominic’s Comprehensive Stroke Center Program Manager), and Dr. Ruth Fredericks (St. Dominic’s Comprehensive Stroke Center Co-Medical Director, who was Lauren’s neurologist).

Make sure your Halloween is sweet—not scary—by avoiding the treats that can play tricks on your orthodontics.

Below are guidelines for orthodontic patients so they can enjoy the treats and stay on track to achieve their healthy, beautiful smile. Enjoy the ortho-friendly treats and be sure to brush and floss after indulging. EugeneC.Brown,

(Sticky, hard, chewy, or crunchy)

• Caramel

• Nuts

• Jelly beans, taffy or candy corn

• Hard pretzels or chips

• Popcorn

• Bubblegum

• Ice

(Soft and easy to chew)

• Soft, melt-in-your mouth chocolates

• Peanut butter cups

• Milk shakes, puddings and jello

• Seedless grapes and bananas

• Ice cream and frozen yogurt

• Peeled, thinly-sliced apples

Dr. Eugene Brown - Smiles By Design

40, pregnant, and fighting breast cancer

In December 2017, a couple of months after turning 40, I told my doctor I’d been feeling sleepy all the time and not like myself. The doctor went to look at my blood work, and when she came back into the room, she pulled up a chair, put her hand on my leg, and, with the softest voice, told me I was pregnant.

“PREGNANT!?” I shouted. My husband, David, and I had tried for years to have a second child, and nothing. I started to feel faint and had to lie down. I thought, “I’m 40 with a 14-year-old, and now we’re starting over.” David had just started a new business while working at his longtime job; I had quit my job earlier that year to care for my grandmother, who’d passed away in August; and we were living in a rental house while building our new home.

But after the shock wore off, we were excited! Soon, we found out we were having a boy.

I started getting a progesterone shot at three months pregnant to help prevent early labor. A few weeks later, I noticed a small knot in my left breast. David and I thought, “It’s a swollen

After that, I didn’t hear another word because I couldn’t stop crying. Evidently, I had a tiny cancer cell in my breast, and when I started the progesterone shot, it blew it up like crazy. However, had I not gotten pregnant, the cancer would have shown up a year or two down the road and would have been even further along. Do you see how amazing God is?

At five months pregnant, I had my first mastectomy. Before the surgery, the elders at my mother’s home church laid hands on me and prayed over me, the baby, and my family. My anxiety left after that experience.

Today, we live in our new home, David works one job at our business, Landri is in her second year of radiology school, and Camp just turned 5. He is the smartest little guy we’ve ever known. He is the life of the party, loves to sing songs about Jesus, and never meets a stranger. There is so much more to our story, but ALL GLORY TO GOD, there have been no more signs of cancer.

milk duct,” but I got an ultrasound and a biopsy. A few days after the biopsy, the surgeon’s office called and said they needed to “check the incisions.” When I got ready to go in the following day, my car had a flat, so David took me.

The doctor and his nurse told us: “I’m so sorry, you have stage 2 breast cancer. It’s growing like wildfire because all the hormones are feeding it, and you have to have a mastectomy next week and then start chemo, or you and the baby won’t be here.”

At six months pregnant, I started chemo. I did lose my hair, but I wore a wig made by a God-loving lady I’d been introduced to. The wig was so natural-looking that nobody knew it was a wig half the time.

On September 13, 2018, I went into labor five weeks early. At 6:15 p.m., we welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby boy, 6 pounds 9 ounces, with a full head of hair! Campton (Camp) David Gray had made his arrival. Only God can perform such a miracle!

Later, we continued chemo, and on January 7, 2019, with God and my family by my side, I got to beat the “I Beat Cancer” drum at the Cancer Center!

Because of cancer, we came closer to God, closer as a family, and closer to our community. We saw how powerful prayer is and that fixing things is not our job. When I quit my job to help my grandmother, God knew I would need to be at home the following year.

My uncle used to sing a song: “I’m a winner either way, if I go or if I stay.” When you let God lead, there is no losing. Y

LeShea and David Gray live in Pelahatchie and attend Pelahatchie Cornerstone Church. They have two children, Landri (20), and Camp (5). They are also the owners of Deep South Tactical in Pelahatchie.

LeShea (second from right) with her miracle baby Camp, now 5, husband David, and daughter Landri.

“ The doctor (said): ‘I’m so sorry, you have stage 2 breast cancer. It’s growing like wildfire because all the hormones are feeding it, and you have to have a mastectomy next week and then start chemo, or you and the baby won’t be here.’”

If you aren’t sure whether you have a relationship with God or where you’ll go when you die, please don’t put this magazine down until you’ve read the following:

✝ THE PROBLEM

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death … – Romans 6:23a

The natural result and consequence of our sin is eternal death, or hell (Revelation 20:15), separated from God. This is because God is completely perfect and holy (Matthew 5:48), and His justice demands that sin be punished (Proverbs 11:21).

✝ THE SOLUTION

… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23b

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

Jesus Christ died in our place on the cross and took on the punishment for all our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). Then God raised Him from the dead (John 20)!

HOW TO RECEIVE SALVATION

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

Trust in what Jesus has done for you — His death for your sins and His resurrection — and trust Him as Lord.

IS IT FOR ANYONE?

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. – Romans 10:13

THE RESULTS

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

WHAT TO DO NEXT

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17

If you decided to trust in Jesus, grow in your faith by reading more of God’s Word in the Bible. We recommend the gospel of John (it comes just after Luke) as a good starting point — or Romans!

Finding a church close to you that teaches faith in Christ is another important step. It’s crucial to spend time with other believers so we can encourage each other in our faith.

If you have questions about anything on this page, please contact us at 601.896.1432, or send us a message on Facebook @MSChristianLiving, Instagram @mschristianmag or Twitter @MSChristLiving.

Go Tell Metro MS

Crusade aims for 1,000 salvations

Rick Gage knows firsthand that not every child who walks an aisle at church is really saved.

He grew up the son of a nationally known evangelist, got baptized at 8 years old — and then proceeded to live however he wanted. When he was 26, his father urged him to go hear family friend James Robison, another well-known evangelist, preach in Lubbock, Texas.

By the end of that evening service in Lubbock, the Holy Spirit spoke to Rick plainly. His heart hadn’t really changed at 8 years old, or else his life would’ve reflected that change.

Tonight, God said, was his last chance to repent and truly trust in Jesus. And he did.

Now Rick is an evangelist like his father before him, and he’s bringing his Go Tell crusade to Brandon Amphitheater October 15-18. The crusade is free to attend and open to all.

MCL recently sat down at the amphitheater with some of the Mississippians who are making the crusade happen. They talked about the heart behind the event, what to expect, whom to invite — and how YOU can get involved.

PHOTO BY STEGALL IMAGERY

Churches and believers from all over metro Jackson are coming together for the Go Tell Metro MS crusade, including (from left): Percy Thornton, Art Jones, Dr. Meredith Travelstead, Ryan Wade, Carolyn Boteler and Joy Bradford.

Tell Metro MS

The heart behind Go

As told to MCL by Chairman

Chip Miskelly

(Around) five years ago, we were at my cabin. We began to kind of pray for revival, because we saw that (America was) going in the wrong direction. … If we don’t get back to a belief in God, putting God and prayer back in schools and businesses, a generation from now, we’ll be so far from God, it’ll be a different country.

That kind of developed into the Unite Mississippi event where we had Tony Evans (speak) at the Memorial Stadium (in Jackson). I always felt like (that event) really wasn’t the success that my heart thought it was going to be. (But) it was kind of breaking a lot of ground for what I think is coming now.

(For the Go Tell crusade) we have about 100 ambassadors (and) 700 volunteers. We’ve had an amazing turnout (so far). We’re going to need about 1,500 volunteers to put this on.

(Brandon Amphitheater will) hold about 8,000 people. If we had 5 percent get saved, that’d be 1,500 people. We’re praying for 1,000 to 2,000 people to come to Christ (over those four nights).

It’s not cheap (to put on a free event). But God has been faithful to bring people out to raise money. He’s been faithful to bring volunteers. (The Old Testament prophet) Joel says in the last days that God would pour out His Spirit on all mankind and draw all men to Himself. We can’t come to Christ unless He draws us to Himself to be saved. We’ve seen such unbelievable things happen that we just believe God’s hand is on this.

My hope is not only racial reconciliation, not only churches coming together now and in the future, but also a spark that would be sent to other parts of our state and even our country and catch fire and move this revival around.

KG: Y’all are believing for 1,000 salvations at this crusade. Is it scary to put that out there?

Percy Thornton: I don’t think it’s going out on a limb at all, because we’re trusting God. … We have wrapped this crusade in prayer.

Carolyn Boteler: I think there were (more than) 1,000 people at the kickoff banquet. And there was a diversity of churches at the banquet, which is a good sign.

Art Jones: A God-sized vision can’t be done in men’s strength. (It comes down to) just preach the gospel.

Meredith Travelstead: I love the phrase, ‘Each one bring one.’ If each of those 1,000 people from the banquet brings somebody …

Joy Bradford: I think it’s time for a revival. I think people are hungry for the presence of God. I believe the Lord will meet us there.

Ryan Wade: We’re actually looking for 600 (spiritual) counselors. When someone comes down (you) lead them in that decision (and) ensure that person is at a church that following Sunday.

Go Tell Metro MS

7 p.m. October 15-18 | Brandon Amphitheater | All ages | FREE admission

Sunday, October 15 – Family night, featuring community choir.

Monday, October 16 – Veterans, military and first responders to be honored.

Tuesday, October 17 – Invite your friends and neighbors!

Wednesday, October 18 – Students come early at 6 p.m. for The Awakening: free pizza, Christian rap performance, student testimonies, and a chance to win a free car. Regular Go Tell service at 7. To register to volunteer, visit MetroMSGoTell.com.

PT: We’ve committed to reach these people for Christ, but also to disciple them. We don’t want to see them saved and go back into the world by themselves. They’ve asked us as counselors to stay with that person for six weeks … praying for them, encouraging them, fellowshipping with them.

RW: Meredith and (her husband) Joel are working on a plan to get (student) leaders who go to different schools, (for) peer support. Our counseling (volunteer positions are) open to mature high-schoolers.

KG: Is there a profile of who you’re trying to reach?

AJ: It could be people who’ve never heard the gospel, or people who’ve responded (previously) and gone back. There’s a diversity of what that looks like.

CB: A lot of people will never go to a church, but will go to a crusade.

RW: A big part of this is having it at a neutral location … So I would say part of the audience is people who aren’t ready to go to a

From left: Joel and Meredith Travelstead, Brandon Mayor Butch Lee, Joy Bradford, Ryan Wade, Go Tell leader Rick Gage, Percy Thornton, Carolyn Boteler, Art Jones.

church on Sunday morning. … Invite the people on your heart and mind that you’ve been praying (for).

We’re preparing for any type of person to come. We’ve got a Hispanic ministry that we’re looking to. We’re translating our materials and will have translating receivers here (at the amphitheater). We’ve got a guy (who’s) bringing people he knows from other countries to be counselors.

The key is believers inviting people that God puts on their heart when they pray and ask Him, ‘Who am I supposed to bring to this?’

CB: I heard a pastor say not too long ago that in Rankin County, on any given (Sunday), 80 percent of the population is not in church. So the field is wide open.

KG: How do you reach someone and invite them if they don’t know they’re lost? That is so common in the Bible Belt.

RW: I grew up going to church every Sunday morning and Sunday night (and was not saved). Then the girl I was dating at the time, who thankfully is now my wife, she was invited to a church … Because she kept asking me, I came. And God used that moment to turn my life around.

If we would compel people — that’s what the scripture says (in Luke 14:23), compel

people … not just invite them but bring them with us … there’s a difference between giving them (an invitation) card and sitting with them.

AJ: When I was on drugs and I ran out of money, I would ask anybody for money. How dare I be less aggressive in (sharing the gospel)? I don’t care if they say no.

RW: People who’ve been surveyed have said, if someone I know and trust invites me (to church), I’ll go.

JB: (I think we can also ask people) do you have a religion, or do you have a relationship (with Jesus)? How are you navigating the storms of life?

PT: I grew up in a non-Christian home. When I had a problem, I prayed, and I looked like I had it all together — but I didn’t have a relationship (with Jesus).

KG: What helps y’all share your faith boldly?

JB: I think the freedom in understanding that I don’t have to do it all. All I have to do is play my role.

CB: Someone told me one time, I might be the only Bible they ever read. I always want to live my life like I should, based on scripture.

RW: I still remember what it’s like to be lost. I was saved at 22. The other thing (that helps) is realizing God has a big plan … but each of us has our own story. Listening to people’s stories, and

For five years now, Cameron Tate has led a Jackson ministry called Bridging the Gap, which brings churches together in coalitions based on location. The coalitions meet monthly for prayer, encouragement, and community impact.

Cameron also serves on the Go Tell Metro MS prayer committee and has urged the Bridging the Gap coalitions to be part of the crusade. “We want them to make sure that they’re inviting their lost folks and getting their churches involved,” he says.

Currently, Bridging the Gap has four coalitions in Fondren, west Jackson, south Jackson, and north Jackson. The action model for the groups is Gather, Grow, Get, and Go.

“We pull these leaders together and the first thing we say is, we want you to gather,” Cameron says. “Then we want you to grow together we want (you) to find out what God’s already doing and how we can support each other. We’d be surprised about pastors who don’t know each other and don’t know what’s happening in the community already. If God’s already moving and we don’t have to reinvent the wheel…”

Step three for coalitions is to “get” a vision for what’s not happening, Cameron says. What are the needs in the neighborhood? Finally, the groups are encouraged to “go” implement that vision.

“We love it,” Cameron says. “It’s an amazing, amazing thing to see God moving like that.”

Can other churches in the metro use this model to form their own coalitions and make an impact?

“Absolutely,” he says.

As for churches that are working together for the first time because of the crusade, “(in order) to bear fruit long term, it would just make sense for us to partner in a deeper way,” Cameron says. “So I’m hoping Bridging the Gap can partner alongside and really help start that process.”

Bridging the Gap: Coalitions of churches encouraged to ‘Go Tell’

“There is a spirit of religion over the state of Mississippi, but God is asking for a relationship,” says Joy (right).

PHOTO BY STEGALL IMAGERY

the sour notes, and connecting that to God’s story.

MT: God’s been working on me about obedience. 2 Corinthians 4 says, ‘I believed, therefore I spoke.’ … No one can argue with what God’s done in my life.

AJ: I had a lightbulb moment years ago. When you have been, in your own eyes, the scum of the earth — Paul says, ‘I was the worst,’ but I think I got you, Paul — and then God says, ‘You are My son’ … When I saw how loved I was … There’s no greater satisfaction (than

leading someone to that love). It’s the most fulfilling, satisfying experience.

PT: Even before that … If we live a Christian life in front of somebody, they’re going to want what we’re talking about. (It’s) easier to tell somebody about the Lord when they respect you and how you live.

CB: I was at a school a couple of weeks ago doing some mock interviews, and one of the questions that I asked all the students was, ‘What is the biggest pressure that teenagers

“ We’ve committed to reach these people for Christ, but also to disciple them. We don’t want to see them saved and go back into the world by themselves.”

–

Percy Thornton

Percy Thornton, CEO of Southern States Utility Trailers and H&P Trailer Leasing.

Dr. Meredith Travelstead, OB/GYN physician at The Woman’s Clinic.

Art Jones, owner of FITT Academy at Cypress Lake in Madison.

Ryan Wade, Community Outreach Pastor at Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon.

Carolyn Boteler, CEO of TempStaff.

Joy Bradford, Youth and Associate Pastor at New Vision Fellowship Church in Brandon.

today have?’ (The most common answer was) ‘I don’t know how I fit in.’ That’s a wide opportunity. When you have (Jesus), you have that security, that sense of identity.

KG: What can people expect at the crusade?

RW: It’s four nights, Sunday through

Wednesday, and the service is at 7 every night. It’s a typical worship service with a praise band, a testimony, a gospel message, and an invitation. Sunday night is family night. We’ll have a community choir made up of 200 to 300 people. We’re using that as an opportunity (for choir members) to invite lost friends and family. (Attendance) grows each night. So we’re

hoping to get a lot of people that first night.

On Monday night, we’ll honor veterans, military personnel and first responders. On Tuesday night, we’re asking that people invite their friends and neighbors.

On Wednesday night, we’re having a youth emphasis, but any age is invited. Students will come early at 6 p.m. for free pizza, student testimonies, a Christian rapper, and Noel Daniels is giving a car away. We’re calling that hour The Awakening. Then at 7 we’ll have the regular service.

foundation.hindscc.edu/giving

Percy Thornton

Past member and Chairman of the Hinds Community College Foundation Board of Directors

“It’s encouraging when you’re able to help people...

The Hinds Community College Foundation is here just for that, and when we are able to help them (students) you feel like you’ve got a part in that.”

“ We’re preparing for any type of person to come. …

The key is believers inviting people that God puts on their heart when they pray and ask Him, ‘Who am I supposed to bring to this?’ ”

– Ryan Wade

PHOTO BY STEGALL IMAGERY

KG: How can people get involved, in addition to showing up with nonChristian friends and family?

MT: Hand out pizza!

RW: There are 12 teams. There’s a way everyone can use their spiritual gifts. There’s a youth team, a prayer team, a hospitality team, greeters, ushers …

PT: And don’t forget unloading those trucks and trailers.

KG: A lot of churches are working together on this crusade. What happens when it’s over?

RW: My heart, and I know Chip (Miskelly’s) and others’ as well is, we have a noontime prayer meeting. We’ll get together and celebrate … but encourage churches that are in the same areas (to work together, even after the crusade). Cameron Tate has at least four coalitions (of churches — see sidebar on page 23).

I went to a luncheon a few weeks ago in west Jackson … Even before we got there, I saw someone who appeared to be homeless … someone invited him to that meeting … and

someone wound up leading him to the Lord.

PT: That same day at Restoration Church, the pastor said they’d been praying for their area, between certain streets … there hasn’t been one killing within those bounds in eight years. We would not have known that if we hadn’t gone.

RW: I want (people) to say, only God could’ve gotten (those people) together. Y

“ When I saw how loved I was (by Jesus) … There’s no greater satisfaction (than leading someone to that love). It’s the most fulfilling, satisfying experience.”

– Art Jones

Two Mississippi Museums offer free admission to church groups

October is Racial Reconciliation Month in Mississippi. Christians are encouraged to find ways to improve race relations. One of the best ways to promote racial reconciliation in the present is to better understand Mississippi’s past. Why do we need to repair relations? How did we get to this point in our history? How do Christian repentance and redemption relate to racial reconciliation?

Answers to these questions can be explored in Jackson at the Two Mississippi Museums — the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. This Smithsonian-caliber museum complex, administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), opened to nationwide acclaim in December 2017. And just in time for Racial Reconciliation Month, the museum is rolling out a new program for churches and places of worship.

Church groups and other religiously affiliated organizations with 10 or more can now visit the Two Mississippi Museums for free, thanks to a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. This foundation, based in Indianapolis, made the grant through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative, a nationwide effort to help museums and other cultural institutions improve the public understanding of religion. The grant to the Foundation for Mississippi History, the private fundraising arm of MDAH, is intended to build and promote programs, activities, and projects focused on the understanding and interpretation of the role of religion in Mississippi history and culture.

“From the spiritual beliefs of the Native Americans who were here first, to the conflicting religious convictions of slaveholders and enslaved people, to the leadership of people of faith during the Civil Rights Movement, religion is at the heart of Mississippi history,” said

Katie Blount, director of MDAH. In fact, the state’s first constitutional convention in 1817 to achieve statehood took place in a small Methodist Church in the town of Washington, near Natchez. And today, our new state flag contains the words “In God We Trust.”

Mississippi is considered one of the most religious states in the U.S. as measured by the Gallup Poll, the Pew Research Center, and the Public Religion Research Institute. According to the 2020 Census of American Religion, 86 percent of Mississippians claimed a religious affiliation, and 66 percent attended religious services regularly.

Within Mississippi, Christianity is surprisingly diverse. The census above reported that 35 percent of Mississippians are black Protestants, the highest percentage of any state in the nation. Fortyfive percent are white Christians, the largest sub-group of which are white evangelical Protestants (27 percent). Understanding the history of black and white Christianity in Mississippi is critically important to understanding the state.

Interestingly, both the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum contain recreations of church buildings that show short films about the state’s history. The Museum of Mississippi History contains a replica of Mount Helm Baptist Church, which was created in 1868 for African Americans who, prior to the Civil War, had worshipped in the basement of First Baptist Jackson. A theater in this church exhibit contains pews for visitors to view a film highlighting Mississippi history from Reconstruction through the 1927 Mississippi River Flood.

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum contains an exhibit of a rural church where visitors can see a film about Freedom Summer in 1964. Despite attacks on some churches, for the most part,

churches were seen as safe places to gather. Meeting in a church also underscored the moral component of the Civil Rights Movement.

Many of those involved in the movement were motivated by their religious beliefs. They took literally the charge to “love thy neighbor as thyself,” and they were obedient to the words of James in

Above: A replica church building at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Right: The museum’s central gallery, named “This Little Light of Mine,” honors Civil Rights workers with words, images, and music from the movement.

the New Testament, who wrote that “faith without works is dead.” Many who work toward racial reconciliation today are also inspired by their faith.

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum features some religious leaders in its Points of Light exhibits spread throughout the museum. Points of Light highlight individuals whose example of dignity, strength and perseverance advanced the cause of freedom. For example, W. B. Selah, pastor of Jackson’s Galloway Methodist Church, is singled out for his sermons against racism and support for the Born of Conviction Statement, which criticized injustice and discrimination.

Two Mississippi Museums Director Michael Morris is excited about the opportunity for church groups to come see for themselves the connections between history and religion in Mississippi.

“We welcome Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, youth groups, senior citizens, singles groups, or other church groups of 10 or more to visit for free,” he said. “In fact, to avoid museum fatigue and since church group admission is free, I recommend making two separate trips to fully explore each history museum.”

The Lilly Endowment grant also will allow church groups and

faith-based organizations to use event space at the Two Mississippi Museums at a discounted rate. A large auditorium located between the two museums could be used for a church banquet, pastor’s conference or other religious event.

Finally, the Lilly Endowment grant will allow MDAH to offer workshops for church secretaries and church historians to learn best practices for saving, storing and preserving church records. Preserving records properly will ensure that future generations understand our state’s rich religious history.

Religion and history are bound together in Mississippi, perhaps like nowhere else. That’s why the Two Mississippi Museums are thrilled to welcome religious groups to come explore the stories that make Mississippi special — for free. Now that deserves an amen! Y

To set up a free visit to the Two Mississippi Museums for your church group, go to https://2mm.mdah.ms.gov/visit/group-visit or call 601-576-6800. To reserve event space for your church group at the discounted rate, visit https://www.mdah.ms.gov/event-rentals-form or call 601-576-6800.

Each of the Two Mississippi Museums features a replica of a church building that shows a short film. A replica of Mt. Helm Baptist Church (left) at the Museum of Mississippi History features a film that takes viewers from Reconstruction through the 1927 flood. An exhibit of a rural church at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (right) shows a film about Freedom Summer in 1964.

Facing retirement transitions with grace

Recently, Charlotte Hudson and I drove to Tupelo to visit with a wonderful friend who lives in an independent living community. Charlotte calls Dottie Hudson “Mama Dottie” (no relation), and I call her Miss Dottie.

You might be familiar with Miss Dottie. She has been a member of First Baptist Jackson for several years, served with a biblical counseling ministry, is an author, and was recognized in the December 2020 issue of MCL for her Christian leadership.

I first met Dottie and her late husband, Carl, when he was pastoring Main Street Baptist Church in Goodman. Over the years, Dottie and I have enjoyed tea parties, meals, and a writers’ group called Soul Scribblers.

For our visit, Dottie insisted we eat at the Sweet Tea & Biscuits Café. It was the perfect place for three friends to chum together. Later we toured her new neighborhood, and then it was back to Dottie’s home for a great cup of coffee.

I asked Dottie about the transitions she had encountered after Carl’s passing and what wisdom she would share with readers. She had three suggestions.

Evaluate your situation

Several years after becoming a widow, Dottie was faced with the decision to move from her and Carl’s home to an apartment. She had to consider where to live, how to downsize, and what heirloom items needed to be passed on to her children. Then about a year and a half ago, it was time to consider another move, this time to an independent living community.

These kinds of decisions can be taxing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. “Seeking the answer through scripture and prayer is very important. There is so much to pray about, and every stage is different,” Dottie said. “I have had a sense of peace through each transition.”

“When I knew it was time to be nearer to my daughter, I visited this retirement center. The complex was inviting, and I knew I was not coming here to sit and soak; instead, I saw it as a time for more growth in my life.”

Be realistic in your thinking

Dottie recommends asking yourself the following:

What can I do?

What do I enjoy doing?

What are your physical limitations and strengths? Are you engaged in daily exercise with strength training? Do you receive annual checkups? Create a “can do” list. It will help you have a grateful heart, focus on the positives, yet be aware of needed adjustments. Be honest with yourself: Note areas where you need assistance; note medical conditions that might require more care now and in the future.

“Be self-aware and don’t get depressed. (Think) ‘How can I change as things change in my life?’” states Dottie.

After moving to Tupelo, Dottie was asked to lead a Bible study for residents in her community. She initially hesitated but then agreed. It was a natural fit after teaching a Sunday school class for years. It is what she enjoys doing.

But she also learned she couldn’t do all that she wanted. She had to pull back and revamp. She isn’t teaching currently, but she is doing some biblical counseling.

Have a capable attitude

“I don’t want to miss my purpose. There is still work to be done for the Lord,” Dottie stated. “One of my daily requests is to ask the Lord, how can You use me today in this place?”

Watching Dottie interact with neighbors and visitors, Charlotte and I witnessed how God was using her abilities. She maintains a capable attitude. She engages people with a smile, a helping hand, an encouraging word, and a listening ear.

As we mature, our circumstances can change in an instant. Part of being prepared is to review the situation honestly, research options, and move forward with positivity. And remember Isaiah 46:4:

“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Y

Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over 65, living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is God’s Word. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitali-tea, encourages, and helps others with the how-to’s of life. Visit LauraLeeLeathers.com.

Dottie Hudson (above right) at home, and with Charlotte Hudson (no relation) at the Sweet Tea & Biscuits Café in Tupelo.

Find your place at new ministry hub

Anew hub for Christian ministry leaders is coming to downtown Jackson, thanks to the Jackson Leadership Foundation (JLF), a nonprofit that aims to see spiritual, social, and economic transformation in the capital city.

Founded in 2018 by a group of local believers, JLF empowers Jackson ministry leaders in underserved parts of the city by providing leadership training, volunteer and donor networking, and incubation and back-office support.

Now, with the acquisition of the former TEC building at 236 E. Capitol St., JLF is poised to welcome even more ministry leaders to office together, collaborate, share resources and generate ideas, with the common goal of seeing Jackson thrive in every way.

“It is a privilege and answer to our prayers to host this collaborative space for ministry leaders in the Jackson metro area. We believe we are better together,” said JLF Executive Director Samuel Bolen. “With the opening of 236 Place, leaders now have a physical location in the heart

of the city for access to training, resources, shared space, shared staffing, volunteers, and more!”

Emily Hardin, program director for mentoring ministry Red Door Jackson, said: “We see 236 Place as the long-awaited opportunity to root ourselves in the heart of the city. This collaborative center will open the door for deeper levels of connection and innovation, thus elevating our work to levels we’ve only dreamed of. We believe people are worth our best work, and we see 236 Place as a catalyst for ensuring we are most effective.”

How JLF helps

Incubation

& Back Office Support

Program: Ministries come under JLF’s 501c3. JLF’s board becomes the ministry’s board, and JLF staff handle back-office paperwork and logistics. The ministry leader focuses on their mission and fundraising.

Nehemiah Network: JLF ministry partners submit volunteer needs to JLF’s volunteer website, where churches and volunteers can

create profiles based on their interests.

Leader Lab: A six-week leadership training course hosted at JLF, with sessions led by Mike Goss of the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy. Participants learn about fundraising, boards and governance, transparency and more.

How you can get involved

Volunteer! Visit jlf.galaxydigital.com and register your profile. Also send this URL to your church’s missions or outreach pastor and tell them about JLF!

Give! Visit JacksonLeadershipFoundation.org to give one time or become a monthly donor.

Come to the Preview Party! JLF is hosting a celebration Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., to share the vision for 236 Place. The party is free to attend and will include hors d’oeuvres and building tours. Come meet the JLF team and ministry partners and find your place at 236 Place! Address: 236 E. Capitol St. Jackson, MS. RSVP by emailing karleigh@jacksonleadershipfoundation.org

Mississippi Individuals & Businesses Eligible for Tax Credit

You can help children without affecting your budgets.

There exists an opportunity for Mississippi business owners and individuals to help provide homes, food, education, and medical care for at-risk children in Mississippi. They are able to do this without changing or increasing their budgeted charitable donations or expenses.

Here is how:

Passed in 2019 by the MS Legislature, the Children’s Promise Act allows business owners to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to half their MS tax liability by gifting that portion to an Eligible Charitable Organization (ECO) like The Baptist Children’s Village. Individuals may receive a tax credit of up to $3,000 if filing jointly ($1,500 filing single).

CHILDREN’S

ACT TAX CREDIT

For more information about application deadlines contact Tim McWilliams at tmcwilliams@bcvms.com or 601.952.2422

CUT OUT THE SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES AND PLACE THEM AROUND YOUR HOME FOR DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT!

But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed, therefore I spoke,’ we also believe, therefore we also speak.

~ 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13, NASB

But in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

~ 1 PETER 3:15, ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~ PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7, ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

~ PSALM 27:1, KJV

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes — the Jew first and also the Gentile.

~ ROMANS 1:16, NLT

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

~ ACTS 4:20, KJV

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

~ PSALM 46:7, KJV

And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ ~

You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

~ MATTHEW 10:18-20, NKJV

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

~ MATTHEW 5:14-16, KJV

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

~ 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18, ESV

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

~ 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16, ESV

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

~ 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20, ESV

MATTHEW 28:18-20, ESV

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