FREE DECEMBER 2021
MCL’s Christian Leaders of the Year Plus, honoring 1 man’s legacy
Graduate Education Degrees MASTER’S • SPECIALIST • DOCTORAL
B
elhaven University offers several options to help you earn a graduate degree in education. The program will enrich and advance teachers with a focus on the current areas of teaching and learning. All classes are taught from a Christian worldview by professors who care about your success in their classroom and the classroom in which you teach. Whether you want to add an area of expertise or expand your leadership role, this program meets the needs of educators who are already certified. With a Belhaven education degree, you can advance your pedagogical and research skills to enable you to become tomorrow’s leader in today’s schools.
GOBELHAVEN.COM/TEACH
WWW.BELHAVEN.EDU | 601-968-5988 | JACKSON@BELHAVEN.EDU
+
the smart way to protect kids online. Bark parental controls. Free from C Spire. Your kids are online. For school. For fun. So are a wide range of threats. That’s why we’re providing Bark’s award-winning parental controls, absolutely free with C Spire wireless. Manage screen time. Filter which websites they visit. Keep track with location check-ins. All while respecting your child’s privacy.
Learn more at cspire.com/bark ©2021 C Spire. All rights reserved.
mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 3
contents DECEMBER 2021 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 6 PUBLISHER
MS Christian Living, Inc. EDITOR
Katie Eubanks katie@mschristianliving.com MANAGING EDITOR
Suzanne Durfey
Our 2021 Fear to Faith Women’s Retreat was full of faith, friends and food! Read all about it on page 32.
columns 8 As I See It Honoring Joseph and effective stepfathers PHOTO BY JOE ELLIS
10 Modern Motherhood Why we can choose connection over comparison
12 Health & Wellness Physical therapists can help you overcome barriers to physical activity
Read about how God has used our Christian Leaders of the Year! See page 18.
ART/GRAPHIC DESIGN
Sandra Goff SALES
Suzanne Durfey, Ginger Gober, Dorothy Bachus CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mandy Bufkin, Libbo Crosswhite, Dan Hall, Dr. Fred Hall, Laura Lee Leathers, Anna Claire O’Cain, TJ Tennison, Jiri Voborsky COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Joe Ellis DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS
14 Mission Mississippi Moments The struggle is real — so let’s help each other
15 Christian Commerce
Michelle and Randy Fortenberry, Rachel and Nettie Schulte, Jerri and Sammy Strickland, Rachel and Bob Whatley
Lower rates available at St. Catherine’s
16 This Is My Story From the Iron Curtain to ballet and beyond
23 Lagniappe Being a foster kid at Christmas
27 Food for Thought 3 recipes from my mentors The Tunneys moved to Jackson after a long career in Christian music. See page 24.
30 A Cup of Encouragement Leadership lessons from Deborah
31 Tough Questions
cover story
How do we handle the Santa Claus issue?
18 MCL’s Christian Leaders
32 Community Outreach
of the Year
A firsthand recap of the Fear to Faith Women’s Retreat
What they’ve learned about leadership
feature
in every issue
24 Dick and Melodie Tunney
6 Editor’s Letter 34 Quips & Quotes 34 Advertiser Index
From arena shows to ‘Carols by Candlelight’
Coming next month Dawn Beam and Dwight Owens on Mississippi Does HOPE
CONNECT WITH US: facebook.com/MSChristianLiving 4 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
instagram.com/MSChristianMag
Mississippi Christian Living P.O. Box 1819 Madison, MS 39130
601.790.9076 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 2021 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.
MISKELLY FURNITURE
|
JACKSON , MADISON , AND HATTIESBURG
MISKELLYS . COM
| 601.939.6288
EDITOR’S LETTER
When memories fail, God’s love remains
W
hen I was little, I had a fat, hollow, red plastic baseball bat made by Playskool. The bat’s bloated size made me
About to hit a homer.
6 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
think I was a good hitter, especially when I heard the thunk of another ball being sent to the far reaches of our backyard. In one of our home movies from that time, I’m standing with my bat in front of the garage, and I’m growing impatient. “Put the camcohdah down, Dad!” I keep saying, unable to pronounce my “r”s, and of course he complies. I don’t want to be filmed. I want him to throw me the ball. Fast forward 17-ish years, and I’m in Paris for a two-week study abroad trip, one of the most fun experiences of my life. Thank you, Mom and Dad! I’m in the Musée d’Orsay, and I have a Nikon D80 camera (thank you again, Mom and Dad!) that weighs at least five pounds hanging around my neck. That is, it hangs there in the brief moments when I’m not using it. I probably shoot a few hundred photos in a few hours. I capture everything that moves me, amuses me, or even interests me. By the time we leave, I’ve caught something else, too: A sick headache. Later in the trip, our class visits the Musée Rodin. Rodin is the creator of the famous “Thinker” sculpture, and the man was talented. There’s John the Baptist, pointing the way to the Messiah. There’s a couple embracing — they should get a room. There’s a pair of hands entwined. All chipped and chiseled out of some form of rock. And this time, I allow myself to be amazed. I breathe a little more between shutter clicks. I let it all permeate my memory. Good thing, too, because not all my digital memories from Paris have survived. At some point, the Nikon’s memory card got corrupted, and my photojournalism instructor salvaged what he could on a couple of discs. (Thank you, Robert Jordan!) It’s still hundreds of photos, but not the three thousand I shot. So for some places in Paris, my mind is the only form of memory I have. I also got to know one of my best friends, Michelle, on that trip. She and I were constantly lagging behind the group to take pictures of, say, a building, or a flower poking through the
January snow. We also wandered around a shopping mall, found a jazz club within walking distance of our hotel, and giggled as we trotted down a tight circular staircase to the underground catacombs. I learned that Michelle has asthma — bad asthma. Despite sub-freezing temperatures, she had to open the windows in our hotel room one day because the cleaning products that housekeeping used were making her choke. (I’ve known her for nearly 13 years now, and I can tell you, if you’re skeptical when people say they can’t breathe, please believe them.) I learned about her son, her friends, and the type of writing she liked to do. So many of my Paris experiences will stick with me only through photographic evidence. Others will stick only because I took time to soak in the moment. Both digital and human memories are valuable, and both can be lost. But God uses our relationships in ways that reach far beyond memory. As the ultimate sculptor, He has used my parents, Michelle, and other believing friends and loved ones to mold me more and more into the image of Christ (He’s got His work cut out for Him) — even if I forget them all one day. So yes, I hope each of you will take the family photos this Christmas. Yes, film your kids opening their “big” presents! But then I hope you’ll take a breath, “put the camcohdah down,” and let yourself love and be loved. When memory fails, love will remain (1 Corinthians 13:13). Merry Christmas, y’all! Y
‘Must-reads’ this month: ● Our cover story on our 2021 Christian Leaders of the Year, including one posthumous honoree (page 18) ● Libbo Crosswhite’s final(?!) Modern Motherhood column (page 10)
● Dan Hall’s tribute to Joseph and other stepfathers (page 8)
Katie Eubanks katie@mschristianliving.com
3LQH *URYH LV NQRZQ DV RQH RI WKH QDWLRQɠV PRVW FRPSUHKHQVLYH WUHDWPHQW FDPSXVHV DQG ZH DUH FRPPLWWHG WR KHDOLQJ DQG FKDQJLQJ OLYHV IRU WKH EHWWHU )RU \HDUV
3LQH *URYH KDV SURYLGHG WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ EHKDYLRUDO KHDOWK FDUH VHUYLFHV DQG DGGLFWLRQ WUHDWPHQW DYDLODEOH
+23( %URDGZD\ 'ULYH +DWWLHVEXUJ 06 ZZZ SLQHJURYHWUHDWPHQW FRP
AS I SEE IT
by DAN HALL
Honoring Joseph and effective stepfathers “Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” – Matthew 1:19
Lisa Atwood with her stepfather, Tim.
J
Kain Sandridge (left) with his stepfather, Todd.
oseph knew three things: 1) He loved
Mary, 2) he did not want to embarrass her, and 3) this was not his child! Have you ever considered that first conversation between him and Mary? “Joseph … ummm … errr … well, you see, honey … I’m not sure how to explain this, but … I’m pregnant and, well … I’m not sure how.” Joseph, blinking, mouth slightly open. After an eternal 60 seconds: “You’re not sure how?” “Well, yes … to be clear, I’ve not been with anybody! It’s a God thing!” I have no idea what Joseph was feeling, but if I put myself in his shoes, I “get it.” Scripture is clear: Had an angel not appeared to Joseph, he was out of there. Gratefully, he stayed. We know so little about Joseph; the Bible says so little about his life. We see him in the first couple of years of Jesus’ life. We see him again when Jesus is 12 at the temple. Then, poof, he exits stage right. Most scholars agree he died. What we DO know is that Joseph proved to be a good stepfather. Let me point out three ways we know that: First, he embraced Mary based on his relationship with God. I don’t know if Joseph
8 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
Have you ever considered that “conversation between (Joseph) and Mary? ‘Joseph … ummm … errr … well, you see, honey … I’m not sure how to explain this, but … I’m pregnant and, well … I’m not sure how.’
”
struggled at times, second-guessing the whole story. But our only snapshots of him showed his faithfulness “to the law.” He had internal fiber. He had the character to be the Son of God’s stepfather. Effective stepfathers have the character to love their wives fully, regardless of circumstances. Second, he invested wholly in Jesus. Joseph was a carpenter. Throughout Jesus’ life and scripture, others referred to Him as a carpenter. Joseph gave of himself in a way that marked Jesus’ identity before man.
Emily Davis with her stepfather, Matt.
Effective stepfathers invest all of who they are into their stepchildren. Third, he accepted Jesus as his own. Not only did he invest his life in Jesus, but Joseph also embraced Him as “his.” During His ministry, Jesus was identified as “Joseph’s son.” Whatever waves of uncertainty, whatever late nights he stayed up wondering, Joseph fully identified Jesus as his son. Effective stepfathers embrace stepchildren as their own. I’ve had the privilege of seeing several effective stepfathers in my life. Tim and Lisa Atwood, Matt and Emily Davis, Todd and Kain Sandridge. It’s a beautiful picture. In the most beautiful picture? God the Father adopted us. Praying that all the stepfathers this season will celebrate the joy of God’s treasures entrusted to you! Y Dan Hall is an executive and strategic coach to leaders and executive teams. He also works with organizations on team building, conflict resolution and communication skills. He and his wife, Hazel, have six children and four grandchildren. You can reach him at Dan@OnCourseSolutions.com.
Thcalanksl ourto clalilentwes andare blfreiesndsed !to Join us in celebratJesinugs Chrithe bistr!th of our Savior, Wishanding Newyou aYearMerryfil edChriwithstmas Peace and Happiness! Serving Jackson and Hattiesburg 601.856.5660 • CovenantCaregivers.com
mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 9
MODERN MOTHERHOOD
by LIBBO CROSSWHITE
Why we can choose connection over comparison “I could run a thousand miles to win the race of life But what’s the value without You? I could write a thousand psalms to captivate Your heart But more than offerings Lord, You seek the depths of me When You see me, You see my heart.” – “Pride of a Father,” Hillsong Young & Free
W
e sang this song at church in early October. Since then, my
family has probably heard this song a thousand times. The words have permeated into every fiber of what I think it means to be human, but most importantly, the song points me to my need for a Savior. There is a God who loves you and me to the depth of our souls that He Himself has redeemed and made worthy by His grace alone. The gospel is that God created me, my sin separated me, and Jesus restores me each day. It’s sometimes too good to believe, but lately it’s been the hope I’ve clung to in so much uncertainty. Jesus’ birth reminds us: ● In a world that tells you to hurry, seek Hope. ● In a world full of comparison, seek connection with Jesus and with other believers.
● In a world full of division, speak compassion, because Christ showed us compassion in the way He came to earth, spent time with His people, and ultimately took on our sin on the cross to defeat death. It’s what this season is meant to do — remind us that because of Jesus’ birth we can stop striving, seeking, achieving. There is no contest for who can keep the law better; we all fall flat. There is only a Savior who gave us the greatest gift we’ve ever been given: hope. Hope leads us to believe the truth that connection is more valuable than comparison. Jesus’ birth gave way to connection, and we no longer have to compare ourselves with the Old Testament law. I often think of my favorite hymn when students ask me what it means to pursue a relationship with Jesus. When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of earth grow
10 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
“May the grace of Jesus be upon you. May it overwhelm your heart more than any to-do list, gift purchase or dinner preparation. May God’s grace be with you always, in all ways. He has made our way, prepared our table, and the question is simple: Will you follow Him?
”
strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. It’s the subtle dullness of the world being “not quite right” that reminds us that God has so much more for us than earthly accumulation. Are we teaching our kids this? That the grace of Jesus surpasses what the world can offer? That Jesus wants a real, connected relationship with them and not just behavior modification? Oftentimes I feel that we can find ourselves running a race that has already been won.
In a culture of rockstars, let your kids be ordinary kids. I often find myself placing pressure on my two to be a version of themselves, rather than the person God has called them to be. As I am figuring out for both of mine who that person is, I can trust that God is in control if I allow Him to be. As someone who spends a lot of time with teenagers, I know that the greatest gift we can give our kids is to tell them, “You are loved not for what you have or haven’t done, but for who you are in Christ.” The last line of Revelation speaks to the heart of the gospel and the fact that God’s Word is for each of us, a gift of both knowledge and connection. Verse 21 of chapter 22 says, “The grace of Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” May the grace of Jesus be upon you. May it overwhelm your heart more than any to-do list, gift purchase or dinner preparation. May God’s grace be with you always, in all ways. He has made our way, prepared our table, and the question is simple: Will you follow Him? Will you radiate God’s goodness into your children’s lives? As we raise our children, may we not just ask, “Who are you becoming?” but rather, “Whose are you?” Jesus Christ’s birth means our answer can be, “The Savior has rescued me, and I am enough because I am His.” As hard as it is to type these words, I feel confident that the Lord is calling me to a season that looks different than my last few years. I am stepping away from writing for this next season and want to genuinely thank Katie and everyone at MCL for giving me the opportunity to connect with each of you each month over the last several years. It’s been an honor and a privilege, and I pray God has encouraged you through stories that, I hope, ultimately point to His grace. Y
Libbo Haskins Crosswhite and her husband, Clay, live in Madison and attend Pinelake. They have one daughter, Mary Thomas, who is 8 years old, and a son, Russell, who is 5 years old. She is the high school guidance counselor at Madison-Ridgeland Academy and can be emailed at lcrosswhite@mrapats.org.
Christmas Time! There’s excitement in the air! You can feel it everywhere! Christmas Time is FINALLY here... Filling our hearts with love and cheer! There’s expectation in their eyes–As kids look for Santa across the skies! It’s hard to describe the feeling of joy Found on the faces of each girl and boy! In the churches, the malls, or down the street... The children are telling everyone they meet, “Santa’s Coming!” they say with a grin! “Yes, Santa Claus is coming again!” “We’ve been ready for him for weeks, you see... With the decorations and our Christmas Tree! Soon, we’ll put out milk and cookies, too! I wonder what Santa will bring for you!?” But, when they awaken on Christmas morn– How many remember their Savior was born? As they take gifts from under the tree; Will they remember Calvary? Will they remember how He died on that Cross, To keep all people from being lost? Or, that He rose again the Third Day? He paid the price we could not pay! Because of Jesus, we won’t die in sin; And better yet, HE is coming again! He’ll take us to a far more wonderful place, Where we’ll see Him daily Face to Face! So, as you take gifts from under your tree– Remember God’s Gift to you and to me! The TRUE meaning of Christmas will be very clear! And, best of all; it will last all year! There’s excitement in the air! You can feel it everywhere! Christmas Time is ALWAYS here...Filling our hearts with love and cheer! There’s expectation in our eyes–As we look for JESUS across the Skies! In the churches, the malls or down the street... His children are telling everyone they meet, “JESUS is coming!!” they say with a grin! “Jesus Christ is coming again!” “I’ve been ready for Him a while, you see... I’d love to take you to Heaven with me!! Soon He’ll be here! You’ll know it, too!” I wonder if Jesus is coming for You?!” Merry CHRISTMAS and a Blessed 2022!
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS
Eugene C. Brown, Jr. D.D.S., M.S.
5800 Ridgewood Road, Ste. 103 Jackson, MS 39211 601.957.1711 125 Jones Street Madison, MS 39110 601.853.0303
www.dreugenebrown.com Dr. Brown’s SMILES BY DESIGN
Dr. Eugene Brown – Smiles by Design
DISCOUNTS FOR TWO OR MORE IN THE SAME FAMILY. The Clarion-Ledger BEST of 2015, 2016 Best Orthodontist in Mississippi BEST of 2017 Runner Up, BEST of 2018, BEST OF 2019 BEST of 2020 Runner Up THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDS THAT CHILDREN SEE AN ORTHODONTIST BY AGE 7.
mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 11
HEALTH & WELLNESS
submitted by CAPITAL ORTHO
Physical therapists can help you overcome barriers to physical activity
M
ore than 80 percent of American adults do not get enough physical activity, despite the proven benefits, such as a reduced risk of some cancers and chronic diseases, as well as improved bone health, cognitive function, weight control and quality of life. As a result, half of American adults — 117 million people — have one or more ongoing diseases. The good news is that regular physical activity can help prevent and improve many chronic health conditions. Capital Ortho Physical Therapy Director Jonathan Thomas said, “Many patients we are treating fall into one of two categories: Either they don’t exercise enough, or they are exercising too much (not having adequate rest).” Barriers to movement and physical activity can be small or large, real or perceived. Whatever barriers you face, physical therapists can partner with you to create a safe and effective program to get you moving. Physical therapists are movement experts. They can design plans specific to your age, abilities, needs, challenges and goals. They can work with other members of your healthcare team to maximize your movement. These 11 barriers to physical activity can be overcome with a little effort and the help of a physical therapist*:
2. Pain For some people, pain makes movement a challenge. Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek healthcare. A physical therapist can help you move better and safely manage your pain.
3. (Lack of) time Some physical activity is better than nothing. Try to fit in a few short bursts of physical activity a few times a day for a total of 30 minutes. Make sure that the activity increases your heart rate.
4. Lack of access to a gym or equipment Dancing, jogging, walking, climbing stairs, and gardening are all physical activities you can do around your home without equipment. Try doing body-weight exercises at least twice a week. Use household objects, e.g., cans or milk jugs.
5. ‘I don’t like exercise.’ Physical activity doesn’t have to involve things you don’t like. Discover the activities you enjoy, and make them part of your daily routine.
1. ‘It’s too late.’
6. Lack of motivation or feeling overwhelmed by the challenge
It’s never too late to get moving. Adding physical activity at any age has benefits — such as an increased lifespan, stress management, memory and brain function improvement, and chronic disease avoidance.
Physical activity releases endorphins, the feeling of well-being you get after a good workout. To get started, offer yourself a small reward each time you’re physically active until it becomes a habit.
12 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
“More than 80 percent of American adults do not get
enough physical activity, despite the proven benefits … As a result, half of American adults — 117 million people — have one or more ongoing diseases. The good news is that regular physical activity can help prevent and improve many chronic health conditions.
”
Also try: • Placing walking shoes, hand weights or resistance bands within easy reach of your desk or where you spend the most time. • Scheduling time for daily physical activity and setting a calendar reminder. • Tracking your steps daily. Increase your step-count goal each week.
7. Chronic disease, condition or disability Whether you use a wheelchair or other assistive device or have mobility challenges due to a chronic condition or prior injury, there are activities you can do to improve your health. Physical activity can improve some chronic conditions and prevent others.
8. ‘I’m afraid of hurting myself.’ A physical therapist can help you identify a safe and effective physical activity plan for your age and ability. capitalortho.com • 601.987.8200
9. Shortness of breath during exercise It’s normal to feel a bit winded when exerting yourself more than usual. If you worry for any reason that physical activity will be unsafe, contact a physical therapist before you begin. After an evaluation, a physical therapist can help you find the right duration and type of physical activity.
10. No energy Exercise boosts energy levels. Physical activity also improves brain function, lowers anxiety, promotes better sleep, and aids in weight management. All of these enhance our energy.
11. Failure to reach goals If you’re having trouble meeting strength and conditioning goals despite your best effort, a physical therapist can help identify any issues and design a program to maximize your movement and enhance performance. Thomas said, “The best advice when starting any new program is to have a plan. …. A plan will help keep a healthy balance of progress and rest. As Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.’” Y *Much of this information has been adapted from the American Physical Therapy Association. Jonathan Thomas, PT, is the director of physical therapy at Capital Ortho. In addition to treating patients, he oversees a team of 12 physical therapists and physical therapy assistants in Flowood, Clinton and Madison. Jonathan lives in Brandon with his wife, Brandy, and daughter, Mallory. They are active members of Pinelake Church. He enjoys biking and running in his spare time. mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 13
MISSION MISSISSIPPI MOMENTS
by TJ TENNISON
The struggle is real — so let’s help each other
A
few years ago, our culture adopted a saying that relates to a common experience we all face:
“The struggle is real.” This phrase expresses the reality that life is hard for all of us, and none of us escapes difficulty. Sometimes we can see the hard things coming and prepare, but sometimes difficulty hits us suddenly. Sometimes the season of pain and difficulty is short, but sometimes it lasts a long time. These times of struggle present a crossroads in our lives. What direction we take will either grow us in faith or make our faith weaker; we will become more like Christ or less like Him. How we handle the struggle will result in an experience of victory or defeat. The one thing that seems to be the deciding factor is if we are walking the path alone or with someone else. There is something extraordinarily dangerous about being alone in the middle of a struggle. It’s not just a cliché, it’s true: We are better together than alone. Perhaps that’s why, in Galatians 6:2, Paul tells us to “bear one another’s burdens.” He is reminding us that we all will have burdens and struggles, so don’t let anyone struggle alone. Paul’s admonishment to us also means that we must be willing to abandon our pride in order to ask for and receive help when we have burdens. He then finishes by saying, “and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The “law of Christ” is a New Testament phrase referring to two commandments given by Jesus: to love God with all our being, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Jesus tells us, “There is no other commandment greater than these.” Not only is bearing one another’s burdens a command given to us in scripture, but bearing someone’s burden is also our privilege. Bearing someone else’s burden is a privilege we get because Jesus did it for us when He took on our burden of sin and shame and gave us freedom and peace. An inspiring story of bearing another’s burdens can be found in Exodus 17. Moses,
14 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
the leader of Israel, stood on a hill holding up the rod of God over the battlefield where Joshua and the Israelites were waging war against the Amalekites. As long as Moses held the rod of God above his head, Israel won the battle; but as soon as his hands began to fall, Israel would begin to lose the battle. Aaron and Hur noticed Moses in his struggle and held up his hands for him when he was too tired to hold them up alone. Because Aaron and Hur helped Moses bear his burden, Israel received victory. I’ve experienced the power of Paul’s teaching to “bear one another’s burdens” firsthand, especially as a pastor going through a pandemic. This has undoubtedly been one of TJ Tennison is a pastor at Crossway Church in the most difficult seasons of my life as a pastor. Vicksburg, where he lives with his amazing wife The pandemic presented questions I didn’t and four children. If he is not at the church or have answers to, and problems I’d never faced at home spending time with his family, you can before. I felt overwhelmed. Our world had usually find him lifting heavy(ish) weights at the gym. changed drastically, but our call from God had not. Despite the challenges, great good has come from this time of struggle, largely because of my involvement in Mission Mississippi. As a group of As long as Moses held the pastors, we figuratively held up each rod of God above his head, other’s arms over this spiritual battleground. We met weekly and Israel won the battle; but as sometimes would call daily to check soon as his hands began to in on each other and help solve fall, Israel would begin to lose problems. We bore each other’s …. Aaron and Hur noticed burdens. We determined as a group Moses in his struggle and held that we were not going to struggle up his hands for him when he alone. We fought through together, and we continue to do so. Mission was too tired ... Because Mississippi provided a place of Aaron and Hur helped Moses solitude and strength for all of us to bear his burden, Israel find encouragement to face the received victory. struggles of our day. Just like the members of Mission Mississippi, I hope you will also make the decision that you will not struggle alone, nor will you stand by idly while someone else struggles. #BearingOneAnothersBurdens Y
“
”
CHRISTIAN COMMERCE
submitted by ST. CATHERINE’S VILLAGE
Lower rates available at St. Catherine’s through year-end
S
t. Catherine’s Village, an award-
winning senior living Life Plan Community in Madison, is celebrating the holiday season by offering new skilled nursing and memory care residents special rates through the end of the year. In the spirit of giving, St. Catherine’s is offering memory care assisted living in Campbell Cove at the basic assisted living rate, and has reduced the entrance fee option by offering savings to those who enter into a life care contract by December 31. With life care, new residents can lock in the assisted living rates so as they transition to higher levels of care, their rates will reflect assisted living versus skilled nursing care. Campbell Cove offers a protected, comfortable ambiance and activity-focused care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The secure building accommodates 36 residents in three colorcoded wings, each with a common living room, dining area and 12 furnished private bedrooms. The residential wings join together in a large multipurpose area with an arts and crafts room, recreation center, country kitchen, and living room. This thoughtful architectural design minimizes obstacles and emphasizes wayfinding cues and circulation paths to guide people from place to place. The small yet distinctive neighborhoods reinforce familiarity
while common areas are available to support family-size gatherings. Outside are secure landscaped patios and a walking garden so residents and their families can enjoy time outdoors in a safeguarded setting. Campbell Cove is licensed as an “Alzheimer’s Assisted Living” community and has received “Exemplary” recognition for its personcentered programming.
“(St. Catherine’s) is the first
retirement community in Mississippi to earn accreditation by CARF-CCAC. (The) campus exceeds the standards established by the only international accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities.
”
Seniors who need 24-hour care can save with special holiday rates in skilled nursing at Siena Center, also located at St. Catherine’s. These accommodations include private and semiprivate rooms for 120 residents in an environment that promotes dignity with
compassionate, person-centered care. Siena Center has repeatedly been voted a “best nursing home in Mississippi.” Offering a staff-to-resident ratio that exceeds state requirements, Siena Center delivers support beyond the physical to bolster emotional wellbeing. Activities coordinators plan engaging recreational, social, cultural, therapeutic, spiritual and enriching activities on a regular basis, too. Residents must be new to St. Catherine’s and move in by December 31 in order to qualify for the holiday specials. Unparalleled services and homelike environments are the hallmark of St. Catherine’s. The gated property is located on 160 picturesque acres and is the first retirement community in Mississippi to earn accreditation by CARF-CCAC. This “commitment to excellence” seal signifies that the campus exceeds the standards established by the only international accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities. With independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care, St. Catherine’s Village is Madison’s preeminent, all-inclusive Life Plan Community, providing seniors the right care at the right time. For more details on holiday specials or to learn about St. Catherine’s Village, visit StCatherinesVillage.com or call 601.856.0123 to schedule a tour. Y
I FOUND
MY FUTURE LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY Enrich your life at St. Catherine’s Village, Madison’s preeminent all-inclusive Life Plan Community. Whatever your senior living needs are, you’ll find the right care at the right time. And right now, you’ll find special fall savings, too.
Find security today!
CONTINUING LIFE CARE ™ Independent • Assisted Memory • Skilled
Proudly CARF-CCAC Accredited
(601) 856-0123 www.StCatherinesVillage.com mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 15
THIS IS MY STORY
by JIRI VOBORSKY
From the Iron Curtain to ballet and beyond
A
s the year 2021 nears its end, most if not all of us are ready to embrace the Christmas season with celebrations resembling the yesteryears — years free of masks, daily COVID statistics and social distancing. Ballet Magnificat! is also geared up to return to the tradition of presenting our annual Thalia Mara Hall performance celebrating the birth of our Savior. This year, we will return to the stage with our original ballet rendition of “A Christmas Carol” on December 18 and 19. For the past three years, since the premiere of this production, I have had the wonderful privilege of dancing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, my “signature role” according to my wife. I must admit that it’s intriguing to portray this eldritch character, and during each performance step It has been such an into his adventure of visiting honor to create ballets Christmas past, future and present. over the past 20 years, This year’s performance will be ballets portraying the special for me as I will grace the passionate love of the stage with Ballet Magnificat! for the Lord. “A Christmas very last time. After almost 30 years Carol” is no different. of touring the world with Ballet As Ebenezer comes to Magnificat!, my dancing days are understand this love of coming to an end. I thank the Lord Christ in our ballet, he for all the amazing opportunities I Young Jiri in what was then receives it to find was able to experience while a part Czechoslovakia. himself radically and of this unique art organization, and forever changed. I was reminded of my own I desire for Him to be honored yet one more transformation all over again when I was time as the curtain lifts this December and the writing my autobiography, “Velvet Meets the story of Ebenezer’s miraculous transformation Iron Curtain,” last year. While filling the empty takes place. pages with memories and experiences of the life Scrooge’s story, though quite epic, reminds that was, I was encouraged to believe for the life me of my own before I met the Lord in the yet to be. And so, after the curtain closes on Czech Republic. I, same as Ebenezer, had no December 19, my dancing shoes will be thrown real joy in my life. Growing up under the heavy away, my dancing days concluded, yet my heart fist of the Communist regime, it wasn’t until I was 16 years old, following the overthrow of the will be filled with immense gratitude to the Lord, who made all this possible. government, when I first heard the name of You might ask what is next. Well, I am Jesus Christ, saw the Holy Bible, and visited a thrilled to share with you that while writing my Christian fellowship. It is miraculous to think book, the Lord broke my heart over the that in His grace, Christ opened my eyes, allowing me to see my need for Him, and chose deprived spiritual state of the Czech people, my own family included. It was in the spring of last me to be a part of God’s family. Often, I still year when I received a vision for 10M wonder just why I was so privileged to come to Foundation, an organization that would reach know my Redeemer when the other 10 million the 10 million lost Czech souls and hearts with Czechs still live their lives without knowing the gospel. This summer the Lord made it clear His love. 16 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
that the time to take a step of faith is now. And so as I worship the Lord for the last time as a professional dancer, I know that my time to honor the Lord will continue; yes, in a different manner, but continue, nonetheless. I am excited to see what the Lord does as the 10M Foundation begins to function and operate on January 1. Until then I will enjoy every minute with my precious friends at Ballet Magnificat!, recall all the wild experiences of the past 30 years, prepare my heart for the last performance, and then follow Him as He leads me and my family into the plans He preordained for us. You are invited to come and enjoy the presence of the Lord this December as He graciously fills Thalia Mara Hall during the “Christmas Carol” performances. I will see you there; you can even purchase my book and take a picture with Ebenezer Scrooge. I will be nice, I promise!
Y Jiri Voborsky was born in what is now the Czech Republic and has been with Ballet Magnificat! since he joined them in January 1994 as a Corps de Ballet member. He will retire at the end of this year as creative director and resident choreographer. Jiri’s desire for all his works is to demonstrate the gratitude of his heart to Jesus Christ. He is honored to serve the Lord with his wife, Cassandra, and their three children.
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
✝ IS IT FOR ANYONE?
Trust in what Jesus has done for you — His death for your sins and His resurrection — and trust Him as Lord.
✝ THE RESULTS
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. – Romans 10:13
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. mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 17
by KATIE EUBANKS
MCL’s Christian Leaders of the Year 18 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
PHOTOS BY JOE ELLIS
COVER STORY
Earlier this year, MCL called for nominations for our 2021 Christian Leaders of the Year. Each of our five winners has a unique story of God’s work in their lives, whether through foreign missions, workplace ministry, running a nonprofit, or simply sharing office space. We hope their stories will encourage you to lead in whatever ways Christ has called you to!
ANNE BINGHAM
ANTHONY BRITT
Anne is the director emeritus at Pioneer Ministries (Camp Pioneer) in Pearl. She and her late husband, Maurice, were married for more than 50 years before he passed. She has six children and 14 grandchildren, lives in Pearl, and attends Christ Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) USA in Jackson.
Anthony is the missions pastor at First Baptist Church of Madison. He and his wife, Suzannah Russell Britt, live in Madison and have three children.
From her nomination: “Mrs. Bingham is close to her 90s and still working hard! I worked in the office with Mrs. Bingham for about a year and a half. She not only cared for the organization but she cared for me as well. She challenged me and encouraged me spiritually and I hold those moments dear to my heart over 15 years later.” – Candace Robins, former camp counselor, Camp Pioneer From helping out to taking ownership In 1948, Erwin and Ruth Wedel started Camp Pioneer to minister to the African-American community. “There was strict segregation here in Mississippi, and they were white. So they took I would say many risks of their lives ... And they did not pull back,” Anne says. She got to know the Wedels when they worked at Piney Woods School, where Anne graduated high school. Later, the Wedels asked if she’d be a camp counselor at Camp Pioneer. That turned into a lifelong vocation. In 1970, when the Wedels felt called elsewhere, they offered Anne and Maurice the chance to take over the camp. “We had never run a nonprofit. It was just a totally different ballgame, believe me. For us to take that on, a young married couple with a family … the challenge was raising funds, and having people that we could appeal to, because we were a part of those to whom they were ministering. We didn’t know any people of means.” Fifty years later, God is still providing the means to keep Pioneer Ministries going. What she’s learned about leadership “When it comes to reality, like bills that have to be paid, and to knowing the Lord and trusting Him and having everything on the line, I’ve learned the faithfulness of God, how He really does care about His work here on earth, and about His people.” She’s also learned to pass the torch, as her son Ronald now runs Pioneer Ministries full time. She does some office work, and “I’m a mother, so I have a lot of ideas,” she says with a laugh, but “I am not Pioneer Ministries. I am a servant of the Lord. If He doesn’t return until the year 5000, I want His work to be carried on.”
From his nomination: “There has always been a desire from the WMU at FBC Madison to have their own missionary house. (Anthony) did the research, met with the church administrator, set up the day-to-day operation policy .… I have found (Anthony to be) a man who loves the Lord and loves people. He has a vision and is able to implement (that vision) to reach people with the gospel.” – Laura Leathers, church member The Christian leader in his life “I would say my youth minister growing up, John Daniels, was probably the biggest influence. When I was in high school, I came to Christ, and he played a big role in my life, just mentoring, discipling me. (And) watching him with his family and how he treated his family and what a Christian family looks like was very influential in my life.” From saying to doing Anthony was the Baptist Student Union director at Southwest Mississippi Community College when the time came to mobilize students for summer missions. But Anthony wasn’t very active in missions himself at the time. “I remember sitting at my desk … and thinking, ‘God, how am I going to promote summer missions when I’m not serving and I’m not going myself?’” he recalls. So he wound up going on a mission trip with his students to Cambodia. “I remember standing on the banks of the Mekong River … and seeing for the first time these little children … picking up trash and looking for food, and I remember tears rolling down my eyes, and I remember thinking, ‘God, this is what You’ve called us to do, is to love,’” he says. In that moment, he learned that often the best leadership style is leading by example. Now he could recruit student missionaries by “having a passion for something I had done,” he says. “I’ll never forget reading (Henry Blackaby’s book) ‘Experiencing God,’ his quote that says, ‘Find where God’s at work, and join Him there.’ We’ve got to join Him. We can’t just assume and just say, ‘God, do a work.’”
mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 19
JAY FLETCHER
KATERI GILL
Jay is the groups pastor at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison. He and his wife, Nikki, live in Ridgeland and have two married children and two grandchildren.
Kateri is the facilitator at Hope Exchange, a poverty alleviation ministry in Jackson. She and her husband, Levi, live in Jackson with their two kids and attend Redeemer Church, PCA, in Jackson.
The Christian leaders in his life “My first was my grandfather. He was my first pastor growing up. … He would take me to visit nursing homes, visit people at their homes … so I was really being trained for ministry and didn’t know it, and it was a lot of fun because he made it fun, and he made it seem like a very normal part of life,” Jay says. “The second I would say was (a pastor I served with named) Bill Spencer. (From him I learned about) getting the best out of (people’s individual) gifting but also creating that organizational structure that just lets ministry flow.” From the marketplace to the church “The focus (of Young Business Leaders), and I did it for five years, is workplace ministry,” Jay says. “And then the hallmark of that ministry is the small groups that meet all over metro Jackson.” As executive director of YBL Jackson, Jay was not looking for a job change. But “when you hear God speaking, just don’t ignore it,” he says. “Nikki and I were both going to Broadmoor and leading the newlywed life group and just enjoying being church members. (But) it was just very evident from the affirmation of the Lord and the affirmation of the team at Broadmoor (that I needed to join their staff).” He’ll definitely bring lessons from YBL to his new role, he says: “Marketplace ministry is a niche that isn’t really being tapped into by the local church. So I see opportunities for us to do that at Broadmoor potentially.” On living for Christ in the workplace “Don’t look at (work) as a ho-hum boring thing that you’ve got to go do. That is absolutely the platform God gives men and women every day to live out the expression of who Christ is,” he says.
From her nomination: “Kateri is one of the most humble, God-fearing, wise and impressive women I have ever met. She always works behind the scenes and this would be a great way to celebrate (her). She is also a visual artist and has helped our community arts ministry publish their first advent calendar and Lent devotional book.” – Candace Robins, fellow church member Sticking around and exchanging hope Hailing from Minnesota, Kateri had graduated from Belhaven University in Jackson and was about to move to Arizona for a master’s program when she met Levi, who was working in the woodshop he had helped establish at We Will Go Ministries in downtown Jackson. “He had a clear vision to stay here with no backup plan. … We like to stay places and see the growth that happens. ’Cause if you stick around, things will get interesting,” she says, laughing. Kateri did leave — briefly — for a nine-month art residency at a small church in inner-city New Orleans, and then came back to Jackson. She and Levi married, bought a house, and started getting trained in the ministry that would become Hope Exchange. “We moved to west Jackson to be in context. … When things go bad, they go bad for us too, so we have a lot of buy-in.” By 2017, “the bones” of Hope Exchange were there. The ministry includes financial literacy, workforce development, healthy relationships, and equipping the church to serve people who need those things. Kateri has focused a lot on the Wednesday night community group that she and Levi hold at Redeemer, where they offer classes on job readiness, financial literacy, and whatever else folks need. She says she and Levi try not to be immediate “fixers”: “There’s usually something to know about the person before you go, ‘Here’s the diagram of how your life is going to get better.’” What she’s learned about leadership “Ever since I was little, I got a weird compliment: ‘You’re really resourceful,’” Kateri recalls. “Being able to use what you have as a leader is important. … Neither (Levi nor myself) is very charismatic. There is an awkwardness to what we do.” Why she’s excited about this story in MCL: “It’s exciting to think about someone reading about being involved in God’s kingdom and thinking, ‘Yeah, maybe I will.’”
20 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
PHOTOS BY JOE ELLIS
From his nomination: “Not once did (Jay) ask us about the compensation package. … he was focused on finding out if the job would use his skill set and if this is where he felt called by the Lord to work and not how much money he would make. (Also) Jay possesses the rare combination of being a minister who can counsel, teach, and preach well but also is wonderfully gifted in administration.” – Doug McDaniel, board chair, Young Business Leaders Jackson
KARYN THORNHILL Karyn is a lobbyist at the state Legislature and owns LifeHouse of Mississippi, an office space in Jackson for startup Christian nonprofits. She and her husband, Michael, live in Brandon. They have two grown children and attend Pinelake Church in Brandon.
God’s just really brought me to a place where … It’s just getting up every day and treating people the way I want to be treated,” Karyn says. “I’m a lot calmer. I think people at the Capitol would tell you that,” she says with a laugh.
From her nomination: “Karyn is the epitome of following Christ as He leads, filling the needs she sees and doing it in her ‘normal’ life. In 2012, when she needed office space for her lobbyist work, she listened to God and purchased what is now LifeHouse Ministries that serves nonprofits by providing office space and community in downtown Jackson. (But) she also serves our state through her work as a lobbyist, helping advocate for important work that needs to happen for her clients, friends, and community.” – Hallie Brand, former LifeHouse tenant Leadership lessons through lobbying As a lobbyist for clients in the healthcare and agriculture industries, “I’ve sort of lived a life of high performance. And now I just see that
PEACE OF MIND FOR YOUR FAMILY ◼ Chimney Cleaning & Repair
◼ Masonry Repair
◼ Chimney Inspections
◼ Animals & Nest Removal
◼ Brick Repair ◼ Crown Repair & Rebuild ◼ Flashing Repair ◼ Chimney Waterproofing ◼ Chimney Fire Damage Repair ◼ Chimney Relining ◼ Chimney Caps Installed ◼ Smoking & Draft Problems
LifeHouse In summer 2012, Karyn was paying “an absurd amount of money” for an office space in Flowood that she rarely used. Then after reading in Acts 2 about the early church sharing what they had — and “souls being saved” — she got convicted. “(God told me), ‘Take this same (rent) money … and get the largest space you can get with it, and share it with others,’” she recalls. After more prompting from God, a year later she bought the house that would become LifeHouse. Because LifeHouse is for startups, many organizations have come and gone as they’ve outgrown the space. Current tenants include the Jackson Leadership Foundation, Hope Exchange, the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi, and Karyn herself. On finding God’s will “I’ve spent a lot of time asking myself, what is God’s purpose for my life? And we wring our hands over it. And somewhere along the way, He just said, ‘Why don’t you just cross off the last three words?’” she says. “(Then it) became more about jumping in and getting to be part of His will, and less about my will. It just feels like the days and the leadership opportunities … start taking care of themselves.” Y
Congratulations Jay
A TALE OF THE CHRIST A celestial and earthly adventure across time, space and the invisible.
◼ Air Duct Cleaning ◼ Gutter Cleaning
No other set of books, except the Bible, will prepare the reader for an abundant life NOW and for a glorious ETERNITY better than The Sound of Christmas Music, Hallelujah, Love & War and The Sound of Glorious Marriage Music. These books can be reviewed and purchased at amazon.com. Select Books and type in “by Joe Ragland.”
Professional Cleaning & Repair Since 1979
Serving Hinds, Madison, Rankin, and Warren Counties and most of Mid-Mississippi
601.609.5540
chimneysweepms.com info@chimneysweepms.com
THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDS THAT EVERY FIREPLACE BE INSPECTED ANNUALLY.
CELEBRATING 126 YEARS
www.watkinseager.com Jackson 601.965.1900 Birmingham 205.598.2100
ATTY JOE RAGLAND, J.D., LL.M., LL.D. Personal Injury Trial Attorney/Workplace Injuries Tel. 601-969-5050 • Info: www.raglandministries.org Click CONTACT to subscribe to Ragland Newsletters mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 21
STEGALL IMAGERY
Ken Sims, a faithful member of First Baptist Jackson who sold video equipment to churches for a living, went to be with the Lord in January 2021 after battling COVID-19. MCL received a nomination from Deryll Stegall for Ken to be included in this year’s Christian Leaders of the Year edition.
STEGALL IMAGERY
In memory of KEN SIMS
From his nomination: “He lived his faith out loud more than any layperson I’ve known,” Deryll said. “Would tell anyone about Jesus at the drop of a hat. He was an absolute expert at finding ways to interject something about Jesus into a brief elevator conversation just to get someone (even total strangers) thinking about Jesus and their salvation. He’d do it in such a friendly, loving, upbeat way, that no one was ever offended, they were always intrigued and responsive. “He was also a leader in (Evangelism Explosion) training, encouraging others to share their faith. No telling how many people he led to faith in Jesus.” Ken also worked with the FBJ youth for decades, Deryll said. “His favorite thing he’d ask kids when he’d run into them was, ‘How’s your love life?’ meaning how’s their relationship with Jesus, with God, the One who is love, which could take off into all sorts of conversations.” A faithful member of the FBJ choir, Ken played a king in the church’s “Carols by Candlelight” Christmas production more times than anyone, Deryll said. “He was always there, always an encourager, always with a glowing expression when singing in the choir loft or wherever you saw him. “Just weeks before he got sick, we did a special video and he participated as a singer — this is the last time he sang in front of a camera. What a way to go out — singing about ‘peace all over the world’ through his Savior — you can see the joy on his face.” From his widow, Terry Sims: “Ken would be totally humbled and blown away by this honor,” Terry says. “He was a wonderful man who loved the Lord with his whole heart and being. I don’t know if I ever realized just how much he witnessed and loved on others until he passed, and it’s been completely overwhelming.” Y
22 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
LAGNIAPPE
by MANDY BUFKIN
Being a foster kid at Christmas
“L
ife before CPS was tough. It was hard... a lot to handle. I was
trying to take care of my mom, my sister, and my grandma. I was taking care of my mom because she wouldn’t take her medicine, we couldn’t keep a roof over our heads, she wouldn’t be able to work. So I was trying to do stuff to keep us good. But then it just got too far. I was trying to make it where things didn’t go so far that we ended up in custody. I guess it was safer to be in custody than on the street.” — Meyanna, alumnus of Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi (MCH). When Meyanna came to MCH, she was 16. She had only been in Child Protective Services custody for six months, but already she had experienced four placements. “I was having a hard time being placed somewhere. When I first got (to MCH), I was nervous because I had never been around other kids,” Meyanna said. When she was living with her mom, she and her younger sister were homeschooled. “I was used to being at home with my family and I didn’t know how to control myself around other people. I didn’t know whether to be
myself or to be like them.” During her time at MCH, Meyanna struggled with her anger. “I used to blame myself for (being put into CPS custody) because I could have done better, but I realized stuff happens for a reason and I can’t control what happens. Now I see why we’re in custody because look at how far we’ve gotten.” Meyanna arrived at MCH only a month before Christmas. “I was sad I wasn’t with my family,” she recalls. “(But) Christmas at MCH was big. We would cook Christmas cookies, make breakfast and do activities. We would open one gift on Christmas Eve and then open the rest on Christmas Day.” Laughingly, she added, “I got what (presents) I wanted, too.” Despite being away from her family, Meyanna still was able to find joy in Christmas. Now 20 years old, she can look back on her time at MCH and see all the people who cared about her. “There were certain staff who really helped me. Even though I had a hard time, they knew how to talk to me. They knew how to calm me down and would go for a walk (with me). They supported me while I was here. … Ms.
Allyson, my (MCH) therapist, is still working with me. I thank her for sticking around.” Meyanna described her favorite staff member, Ms. Carrie, as “basically a mom to me.” After being at MCH a little over a year, Meyanna transitioned to a foster home before being placed with her dad, where she and her sister currently live. Through MCH’s community counseling center, Magnolia Youth Services, she has been able to continue working with Allyson. When asked about her time with Meyanna, Allyson shared, “She’s one of those selfless people. She always tries to put others above herself. She really cares. Helping her move that care to herself, helping her realize that she deserves that care too, that’s been the biggest blessing to see.” As Meyanna finds healing, there are still foster children who need your help. Children who will be sad to be away from home this Christmas, children who are struggling to find hope and healing, children who need your support! Go to mchms.org to help a child in foster care this Christmas. Y
mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 23
FEATURE STORY
by KATIE EUBANKS
Dick and Melodie Tunney From arena shows to ‘Carols by Candlelight’
W
which Melodie encouraged him to join The Imperials — they saw each other again at a worship conference, and Dick proposed.
Melodie was a rule bender, while Dick — “to a pharisaical degree,” he admits — was a rule follower. She grew up Southern Baptist in Texas, while he grew up Assembly of God in Ohio. She was a sophomore in college, while he’d been done with college and living away from home for five years. They weren’t even friends at the time. They had no idea God would bring them together for a journey that would include decades-long careers in recording and producing; touring together as husband and wife; and moving to Mississippi to add their talents to First Baptist Jackson’s worship ministry. “We both had plans, but God has just led us to an Ephesians 3:20 kind of life,” Melodie says, citing the verse in which Paul says God can do “immeasurably more” than we can imagine. And He has.
In the studio, on the road and at home
hen Dick Tunney and Melodie Ware joined a gospel group called Truth on the same day in
1980, they were as different as could be.
“We both had plans, but God has just led us to an Ephesians 3:20 kind of life,” Melodie says.
After marrying, they settled in Nashville. Dick toured with The Imperials, and Melodie was a receptionist at Word Records, which led to a career as a session vocalist. One of her more interesting gigs was barking a “Pound Puppies” Christmas album with other singers. Think “Paw Patrol” in the ’80s. “It was hilarious,” Melodie says. (A quick Google search reveals the album is still available to purchase, but only on vinyl.) Along the way, Melodie met vocalists Bonnie Keen and Marty McCall. When they sang together on sessions, they realized they had a good sound, it was fun, and they could all learn the music quickly. So they started pitching themselves to producers as a session trio named First Call. “Because hopefully, we’d be the first call you’d make,” Melodie says. “But mainly because our first calling is Christ.” Then Dick, who’d left The Imperials, got a call from Sandi Patty, one of the biggest Christian artists at the time. She wanted two keyboard players and two singers to tour with her. Dick asked Sandi if she could deal with one keyboard player (himself) and three singers. First
People signed up to sit with the drivers each hour of the night so they wouldn’t fall asleep. “I knew when he was going to be driving, and I signed up for 1 o’clock (in the morning),” Melodie says. “I went to bed on the floor in the back of the bus, where the girls slept. … I remember being so excited to go sit up there with him. So I really didn’t even go to sleep. “Finally, (a friend came back from her shift), and I pretended she woke me up.” Dick remembers Melodie coming to the front of the bus and him asking, “You awake?” She didn’t want him to know she’d been awake for hours. “She sort of yawned and said, ‘Give me a minute,’” he recalls. Dick drove till 9 a.m., six hours past his shift, and Melodie stayed with him the whole time. Within days, Dick left Truth. But soon — just two weeks after that initial conversation in
Dick and Melodie got married between Christmas 1980 and New Year’s so they could have a brief honeymoon before Dick’s tour dates started up again.
From not friends to engaged — in 2 weeks “The big rule in the group (was) no dating,” Melodie says of she and Dick’s time with Truth. She sang alto, while Dick played piano. “That was one of the reasons we were really kind of not even friends.” That changed after Dick got invited to join another group, The Imperials, “which was as big as you could get in Christian music at that time,” Melodie recalls. “A lot of the guys (in Truth) were giving him grief about it: ‘We’re trying to start something here, and you’re going to leave?’ And I really think the Holy Spirit put this in me — I went up to him one day and said, ‘You could probably care less what my opinion is, but I think you’d be crazy not to do this.’ “Suddenly, I was his cheerleader. We became friends. We started sitting by each other on the bus. I was fine with him leaving (Truth), because we had no (romantic) relationship.” Until they did. Rule or no rule, it would be hard to date on a tour bus. The closest they got was one night when Dick was scheduled to relieve the bus driver from midnight to 3 a.m., “from somewhere in Georgia to the South Carolina coast,” Dick recalls. 24 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
From left: Whitney Tunney Newby, Dick Tunney, Beckham Newby, Bear and Shawn Newby; Melodie Tunney, Liam and Laney Newby.
Call had already sung on some of Sandi’s records. One problem: Melodie was pregnant, and she was due two weeks after Sandi’s tour was scheduled to begin. “We were playing 15,000- and 20,000-seat venues,” Dick says. “(But) they went back to William Morris and said, ‘Can you push the whole tour back a month?’” Melodie and Dick’s first child, a girl, was due February 15 — now two weeks before the new start date for the tour. “First children are usually not early,” Melodie says. “But we all just started praying that God would bring her early, so we could have the maximum time (with just her and us before the tour).” Whitney Tunney was born 11 days early, on February 4. By six weeks old, she’d spent more time on a tour bus than at home. She learned to crawl on a blanket in her parents’ dressing room. After two years of touring with Sandi Patty, Dick continued playing keyboard for her while Melodie and First Call toured on their own. Between them, Dick and Melodie won eight or nine Dove Awards, the highest honor in Christian music. But their tour schedules did not sync up. Instead of being home together during the week, they’d see each other for maybe a day here and there and do laundry. They quit touring and settled in at home in Nashville. Then a year and a half later, they started getting calls: A booking agent offered to handle the calendar if Dick and Melodie ever decided to tour together. A division of Warner Brothers expressed interest in recording them. For the next 15 years, they went back on tour — on the same schedule. They settled down again as their daughters, Whitney and Kelsey, entered high school. Melodie continued doing session vocals, and “a lot of production work came Dick’s way,” she
Dick (at piano) and Melodie (in red) onstage at First Baptist Jackson.
says. She also worked as a music minister at a handful of different churches in the Nashville area over the next several years. Dick also got the opportunity to play piano for award-winning Christian singer Steve Green. Dick wound up being Steve’s musical director for 16 years. Then the pandemic hit.
COVID and the call to Jackson In spring 2020, Melodie had been working for a few months with Concerned Women for America, the nation’s largest Christian women’s policy organization, to advocate for biblical principles in legislation. Dick had been touring with Steve Green. “We did this date in south Mississippi the first week in March (2020),” Dick recalls. “Then the world fell apart.” Month by month, Dick and Steve’s shows got postponed or canceled, and Melodie’s CWA travel slowed down considerably. Then toward the end of 2020, Dick was on the phone with Mike Harland, whom the Tunneys knew from his days at Lifeway in Nashville. Mike was now the associate pastor of worship at First Baptist Jackson, Mississippi. Dick had called Mike to thank him for mentoring a young songwriter they both knew. Then Dick asked how things were going in Jackson. Mike offered him a job almost on the spot. After a long dinner with Mike in Nashville and much prayer, the Tunneys decided to move to Mississippi.
The return of ‘Carols’ “For most of my ministry-slash-career, I’ve been a really good Robin to everyone else’s Batman,” Dick says. “My favorite portions of any concert that I’ve played (are) ‘Let’s do something
Melodie and Dick at home in Madison.
just piano and vocal, and you feel that song the way you want to feel it and let me color around the edges.’ “On most every level, that’s what I’m doing at First Baptist. Mike is the guy dangling his toes off the stage, leading our congregation in worship, and for the most part, I’m driving the bus behind him.” Mike rehearses the choir while Dick rehearses the orchestra. Dick also has done a lot of writing and arranging for the orchestra. Most recently, Mike, Dick and Melodie wrote five new songs for this year’s “Carols by Candlelight,” FBJ’s long-running Christmas production, which returns this year after the church did a smaller online production in 2020 due to COVID. “For three days in May, Mike and Mel and I mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 25
Back, from left: Kelsey Tunney Bohler, Melodie and Dick Tunney, Judah Bohler, Zach Bohler. Front, from left: Elijah, Siloam and Charis Bohler.
holed up here (at our house) and wrote (songs),” Dick says. Dick and Melodie had written plenty of songs together, but he admits that working with a third songwriter — who was also a friend and Dick’s boss — could’ve been weird. Far from it. “It was as if God had a vat of creativity and said, ‘I’m just going to tip it over onto this house in Madison,’” Dick says. As in years past, Jackson’s Ballet Magnificat! will add their talents to “Carols,” but this year in a bigger way: Each character in the nativity story will be portrayed by a Ballet Mag dancer, while the character’s lines will be sung by an FBJ soloist standing to the side. The audience will get to see the characters dance while hearing their beautifully sung dialogue.
Dick and Melodie in downtown Jackson, just a few blocks from where they worship at First Baptist.
“It’s very musical theater,” Melodie says. They even added a Pharisee (the one character who won’t dance) at the suggestion of Ballet Mag’s Jiri Voborsky. “Before we arranged what we’d written, Keith and Kathy (Thibodeaux) and Jiri came over here, and we invited them into the creative process,” Dick says. “(We asked) ‘How would you dance to this?’” This year’s “Carols” will include largeproduction musical numbers, smaller intimate arrangements, and the five new songs written by Dick, Melodie and Mike, including title song “Hope Is Here.” Besides co-writing the new songs and offering crucial feedback to Dick on the arrangements, Melodie will mentor the “Carols” soloists.
Melodie is not on staff at FBJ but has led worship when Mike is out of town, teaches a Sunday school class with some of the orchestra women, and teaches the women’s Wednesday night Bible study. (She’s written and taught 10 different Bible studies over the years.) “I’m still seeking the Lord for the full reason I’m in Jackson,” she says. “Sometimes God says, ‘Be still and know (that I am God).’” If there’s anything she and Dick have learned — from getting engaged after two weeks, to touring the country as Christian artists, to moving to a place neither of them had lived before — it’s that God’s ways are often surprising, and in a good way. Melodie sums it up by quoting Proverbs 16:9, “Man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.” Y
JACKSON 2624 Southerland Street 601.336.4282
BRINGING GOSPEL HOPE TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN THROUGH: Adoption | Pregnancy Counseling Family Restoration | Global Orphan Care Education & Counseling 26 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
HATTIESBURG 7 Professional Parkway, Suite 103 601.264.4984 MERIDIAN 2401 9th Street 601.336.3066 LIFELINECHILD.ORG
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
by ANNA CLAIRE O’CAIN
3 recipes from my mentors
F
or these recipes, I chose to call on three of the most influential people in my life
— my mom, my grandmother, and my cousin/former youth pastor. Not only have I shared many meals and laughs with each of these family members, but they have also shared with me godly mentorship that has encouraged my walk with the Lord. This Christmas I am so thankful for each of these special people and for the wonderful gifts of faith, family and food. Y
DIVINITY CANDY
EASY PORK LOIN
SWEET POTATO PUFFS
by Elizabeth McCaughn (my grandmother)
by Stephanie Housley (my mom)
by Bubba Holifield (cousin and former youth pastor)
2 1 3 ¾ 1 4
cups chopped pecans teaspoon vanilla extract egg whites cup cold water cup white corn syrup cups sugar
In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, corn syrup and water. Stir only until sugar has dissolved. Do not stir after this point. Cook syrup mixture until it reaches 255° F on a candy thermometer, bringing it to a hard ball consistency. While the syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Once the sugar mixture reaches 255° F, carefully pour a slow steady stream of syrup into the stiffly beaten egg whites, beating constantly at high speed. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until mixture holds its shape, approximately 5 minutes. (Do not overmix or candy will get stiff and crumbly.) Stir in pecans. Using two spoons, drop the divinity in heaping teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper, using one spoon to push the candy off the other. If the candy becomes too stiff, add a few drops of hot water. You will need to work fast when making this type of candy. Let stand at room temperature until dry to the touch. Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature.
¼ 2 ¼ 1 2
cup seasoned salt teaspoons garlic powder teaspoon ground red pepper (4-pound) boneless pork loin, trimmed tablespoons olive oil
Preheat oven to 400°. Place pork loin on a rack in a roasting pan. In a small bowl, stir together seasoned salt, garlic power and red pepper. Rub tenderloin with oil, and sprinkle with seasoning mixture. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until browned. Transfer pork to roasting pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 155°. Allow to sit for about 15 minutes before slicing.
2 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ 8
cans (8 count) crescent rolls sticks margarine or butter cups sugar cups water teaspoons vanilla sweet potato patties, halved (can be found in frozen food aisle) Cinnamon to taste
Spray a 9x13” pan with cooking spray. Roll one half of a sweet potato patty in each crescent roll, starting with the large end. Place in pan and sprinkle with cinnamon. Continue until all are in the pan. Combine sugar, water and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Take off the heat and add vanilla. Pour over rolls. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Anna Claire O’Cain is a Scott County native, former English teacher, and current grad student in the clinical mental health counseling program at Liberty University. She is married to her best friend, J.T., who is a teacher and youth pastor. Most of all, she is a believer who is passionate about serving God through missions and worship. Through MCL, she is able to use her love for writing to serve the Lord in a new way.
mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 27
BUSINESSES OF FAITH
WeBelieve
Hol y T r i n i t y Anglican Church Please join us for a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 4:30 p.m. on December 24
432 Bozeman Road • Madison, Mississippi
MASTER OF DIVINITY DOCTOR OF MINISTRY MASTER OF ARTS GRADUATE CERTIFICATE BACHELOR OF ARTS (BEGINNING FALL 2021)
AUDIT CLASSES
28 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
Wesley Biblical Seminary exists to train men and women to be effective ministers of the gospel. For forty-seven years, WBS has been equipping students with the knowledge and skills to communicate the gospel to a world that needs a Savior.
– ISAIAH 7:14B
Jeanhee Kang/Broker Muse LLC & Brokers
407 Orchard Park Drive Building #3 Ridgeland, MS 39157
jeanheekang@yahoo.com
601.955.0240 mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 29
BUSINESSES OF FAITH
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
A CUP OF ENCOURAGEMENT
by LAURA LEE LEATHERS
Leadership lessons from Deborah
Y
ou will find a notable story in the Bible about a woman whose business office was under a palm
tree. Through her daily work, she exemplified godly leadership. Some refer to her as a fearless patriot, a warrior. If you did an Internet search of women leaders in the Bible, usually she is mentioned first. Her name is Deborah, the second Deborah listed in the Bible. Her name means “the bee,” and you’ll find her story in Judges 4-5 and Hebrews 11:32-34. Let’s see what we can glean from her leadership style for the 21st-century woman.
Her calling In Judges 4:4, Deborah’s first title is that of “a prophetess,” a little unusual. Prophets spoke the words of God to the people and talked to God for the people. There were two significant kinds: foretelling (predicting things in the future) and forthtelling (speaking about sin, judgment and righteousness). See Paul’s definition in 1 Corinthians 14:3. After Joshua’s death, Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They abandoned Him and served other gods (Judges 2:11). Then God called out men and women to serve as judges. God’s presence was the judge, and He would intercede through this person to spare the Israelites from their enemies. However, as soon as the judge died, the Israelites returned to doing evil. It’s against this backdrop that God called Deborah to be Israel’s fourth judge. Her job was to encourage, strengthen, comfort and lead with humility and wisdom.
Her family life There is no prior history regarding Deborah’s genealogy, nor is there anything about her background regarding special training or education. Her second title was “the wife of Lapidoth.” They lived between Bethel and Ramah in the hill country of Ephraim. There is no mention of natural children from this marriage, but she
30 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
arose as a mother in Israel (Judges 5:7). Was Deborah a prophetess before she got married? Scripture isn’t clear, but it makes me wonder, since this “title” of wife is listed second. I believe we can see her husband was supportive of her role as judge and prophetess. One thing is sure: If God has called you, He will equip you.
Her marketplace witness As I read Judges 4:5, I envision her office, located under “the palm of Deborah.” At the road, there’s a sign, “Judge Deborah,” written in Hebrew. Notice the people had to “come up to her for judgment.” Going up is an important phrase biblically, signifying seeking God. Her job required a listening ear, tremendous wisdom and the ability to administer justice regarding family, tribe or nation. The people had confidence in her wisdom, or they would have gone somewhere else. Also, at this point in history, people were involved in pagan worship practices. It was a time of apostasy, evil and lawlessness, and oppression from Israel’s enemies.
Her warrior spirit Deborah sent for Barak (Judges 4:6-7) and gave him instructions: “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you.” Later, she tells him all that God will do. Then Barak throws in a stipulation: He’d only go to battle if she also went (v. 8; read verses 6-24 for the entire story). Did he lack courage? Did he believe God’s presence would be more significant if Deborah were there? However, in Hebrews 11 we read of Barak’s faith. Deborah agrees to go with Barak and his 10,000 men to fight against Jabin, his army and chariots after a 20-year oppression. Deborah tells Barak the glory would go to a woman, Jael, who would kill Sisera.
Her song of credit Judges 5 is known as the song of Deborah and Barak. It is a beautiful duet, performed as a tribute to God, about His mighty work in the
battle. Deborah takes no credit. Then the land had rest for 40 years.
Deborah’s leadership principles Our world today is no different than in Deborah’s time. There is evil, lawlessness, and no fear of God. What is a woman to do? Remember the meaning of Deborah’s name and apply these “bee” principles to your leadership role: ◼ Be His light (Matthew 5:14-16).
◼ Be a godly woman; know His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
◼ Be obedient and sensitive to God’s calling in your life (2 Peter 1:3-4). ◼ Be humble (1 Peter 5:5-6).
◼ Be wise. Use the natural and spiritual gift of wisdom (Proverbs 2).
◼ Be a woman who uses spiritual gifts and talents for God’s glory (Matthew 25:14-30). ◼ Be a woman who firmly stands against evil and oppression (Ephesians 6:11). ◼ Be a woman of prayer (James 4:2). Ask God for strength, perseverance and greater devotion.
◼ Be a woman who sings of God’s mighty works (Psalm 66:1-4). What if I am a woman? Is not the God of ancient times the God of these modern days? Did he not raise up Deborah, to be a mother, and a judge in Israel? Did not queen Esther save the lives of the Jews? – Maria W. Stewart, 1835
Y
In this new season of her life, Laura Lee hopes to focus on her three passions: freelance writing, sharing and serving through hospitality, and cultivating Lady Laura’s Garden, a cut-flower farm. You can contact her at LauraLeeLeathers.com.
TOUGH QUESTIONS
by DR. FRED HALL, LPC
How do we handle the Santa Claus issue? QUESTION: I want to let my kids experience the wonder of Santa Claus, but my wife wants to tell them the truth from a very young age because otherwise we’re ‘lying.’ How do we resolve this? ANSWER: Thanks, reader, for the question. This is a fun one to attempt to shed light on. Santa Claus can be a fun and harmless character for many people. The idea of a jolly fat man who at Christmastime brings toys and joy to boys and girls is an idealistic and magical figure from our past. The truth of the matter is, he is a myth. He is not real, much like the Easter bunny is not real either. Sometimes what seems harmless can be a source of pain Until the both of you and contention for others. Your wife is correct in saying that the can agree on how to children need to know from an early age present Christmas to the truth about Christmas, which is really your children, I would Christ. As long as the children know that Christmas is about Christ, and that Santa not bring up the idea of is a fun character but not real, it is fine. If Santa, because this could your wife and you are not in agreement confuse the children. over allowing the children to experience Christmas with a Santa Claus theme, you should not commit to this. The disagreement is a bigger issue of a couple’s lack of unity. Until the both of you can agree on how to present Christmas to your children, I would not bring up the idea of Santa, because this could confuse the children over the real meaning of Christmas. Continue to pray and dialogue with your wife as to if and when the idea of Santa could or should be introduced into the children’s reality. Wishing you a very happy and joy-filled season of wonder called Christmas. Y
“
”
Dr. Fred Hall is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), supervisor, life and leadership coach and consultant. He works with individuals, couples, families and organizations in training, speaking, consulting and clinical practice. He does clinical work at Cornerstone Counseling in Jackson.
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
CALL 601-856-4050
To inquire about Sunnybrook Estates mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 31
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
by ANNA CLAIRE O’CAIN
A firsthand recap of the Fear to Faith Women’s Retreat
W
hen I first heard about MCL’s women’s retreat, I honestly was
not sure what to expect. As a 24-yearold woman who had only attended one women’s conference before, I wondered what MCL’s retreat would be like. But after finding out there would be worship and an awesome lineup of women discussing the topic of hearing from God, I knew I had to be there. So I pretty much gave my mom no choice in tagging along with me, and I invited the ladies from my church to join us. A group of us women attended the event together and we had the best time. From the heartfelt worship to the inspiring Word to the amazingly yummy food, I am so glad I chose to go to MCL’s retreat.
Ginny Owens — worship and testimony First, I want to talk about the worship. I do not think I will ever forget the unique and beautiful sound of Ginny Owens’ voice! As I listened to Ginny and worshipped alongside the other ladies in the room, I was simply in awe. I was in awe of God using Ginny through song despite the immense challenges of her blindness. As I glanced around, I was overwhelmed with even more awe and a sense of joy. I saw women from all ages and walks of life worshipping despite each of their individual hurts and obstacles. Daughters, mothers and grandmothers all joined together in surrender as they sang praises to God. As if Ginny’s worship was not inspiring enough, we had the privilege of hearing her speak and share her powerful testimony. Ginny’s words about prayer and hearing God were so touching and reminded me to seek God’s divine plan for my life instead of my own.
Kellye Smith testimony and panel discussion At the retreat we also had the opportunity of hearing testimonies from some other wonderful women of God. Kellye Smith shared her powerful testimony of the battles she faced with her son’s sensory processing disorder, as well as her own journey with medical issues. Her life is truly a miracle and a testimony of God’s presence in every struggle. The panel discussion was such an awesome way to wrap up the women’s retreat. Each woman featured on the panel had tremendous stories to share, as well as practical insight on 32 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
The retreat was held in The Venue at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison on Saturday, October 30.
MCL Editor Katie Eubanks (far left) leads a panel discussion about hearing from God, with (from left) Jamie Rasberry, Tonja Murphy, Maggie Wade, Kelly Morgan and Elaine Williams.
how to hear God in our daily lives. Their stories were so inspiring and encouraged me that God can do amazing things even through ordinary women like me.
was so refreshing and encouraging for me, and I know for so many other women as well. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for MCL’s retreat next year! Y
A nudge in the right direction Hearing from God is something that I consistently desire for my life and always want to learn more about. Even though I was apprehensive at first, looking back, I now know that God was speaking to me even in His nudging to attend this event. This conference
THANK YOU Thank you so much to our sponsor Wendy Maxwell, LCSW; and to Ginny Owens, Broadmoor, caterer Royce Lott, and everyone who helped make October 30 an awesome day!
Speaker Kellye Smith (right) with Rebecca McCarty.
Keynote speaker and worship leader Ginny Owens (right) with MCL advisory board member Chanda Roby.
MCL Editor Katie Eubanks (right) with panelist Maggie Wade.
Addie McLendon Howard (pictured above right, holding her daughter) got to meet and eat lunch with Ginny (in red jacket) at the retreat. Ginny, who has been blind since age 3, was able to encourage Addie, whose daughter was born blind in March.
From left: Datche Walker, Peggy Thompson, Faith Morris and Renee Jones at the retreat.
From left: Brittney Sullivan, Jamie O’Cain, MCL Contributing Writer Anna Claire O’Cain, Stephanie Housley and Bettie Smith. mschristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2021 33
QUIPS & QUOTES ADVERTISER INDEX
✂
{
CUT OUT THE SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES AND PLACE THEM AROUND YOUR HOME FOR DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT!
}
ADVERTISING PARTNERS
PAGE
Belhaven University...................................................2 Broadmoor Baptist Church ..............................22
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ~ ISAIAH 7:14, NIV
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. ~ LUKE 2:6-7, NIV
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.
Capital Ortho .................................................................13 Covenant Caregivers................................................9 Fireplace Chimney Sweep Solutions ........21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Gateway Rescue Mission......................................9 Holy Trinity Anglican Church ...........................28
~ MATTHEW 1:21, KJV
~ ACTS 5:31, NIV
Jeanhee Kang, Broker..........................................29
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
For nothing will be impossible with God.
C Spire .................................................................................3
~ LUKE 2:14, KJV
Joe Ragland...................................................................21 Lifeline Children’s Services...............................26
~ LUKE 1:37, ESV
Mascagni Wealth Management ...................36
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ ISAIAH 9:6, NIV
~ PHILIPPIANS 2:8-11, ESV
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
Miskelly Furniture ........................................................5 Pine Grove Treatment Center ............................7
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company...............................................11 St. Catherine’s Village.............................................15
~ LUKE 1:30-31, KJV
St. Dominic’s ................................................................35
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
St. Dominic’s Behavioral Health Services .....................................................29 Stegall Imagery...........................................................13
~ JOHN 1:14, NKJV
Sunnybrook Estates ...............................................31
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. ~ LUKE 1:35, KJV
34 DECEMBER 2021 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living
of Mississippi............................................................23
Smiles By Design, Dr. Eugene Brown..........11
~ GALATIANS 4:4-5, NASB
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Methodist Children’s Homes
Tommy Rice Music .................................................28 Watkins & Eager .........................................................21 Wesley Biblical Seminary...................................28
YEARS
HOPE & HEALING 1946
2021
For decades, the Springfield Dominican Sisters have answered God’s call to care for the Jackson community. Since arriving in 1946 to operate the then-named Jackson Infirmary, the Sisters have welcomed thousands of men and women to share in their ministry of compassionate care to Mississippi families. St. Dominic’s has served as an enduring sign of strength—of hope and healing—as our community and healthcare have grown and changed. Embracing new services, technology and access while remaining grounded in our attention to the poor and vulnerable, we extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to each person in need. Even in these most recent trying and tragic pandemic months, we have encountered new blessings and inspiration for our purpose. Faith sustains St. Dominic’s strength and service to all. We are humbled to answer God’s call today and grateful for the trust you place in us each day. While 75 years is a significant milestone, to us, it’s just the beginning.
St. Dominic’s is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, which also includes St. Francis Medical Center - Monroe, Our Lady of the Lake - Baton Rouge, Our Lady of Lourdes - Lafayette and Our Lady of the Angels - Bogalusa.