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Failed recipes and firstfruits
Last Sunday (as I write), I made us late for Stephen’s company Christmas party because I underestimated how long I would need to make green bean casserole. Then at the party, we discovered that the green beans were still partially raw. I’d used fresh ones and failed to boil them long enough. To add insult to injury, the dress code for this party was “retro,” so I looked a little like a mid-century housewife despite my culinary incompetence.
On Monday, I forgot to add the sausage to the Crock Pot for our dinner of red beans and rice. I didn’t remember until Stephen got home. We put the sausage in the slow cooker, set a timer for two hours, and put a pizza in the oven. (We didn’t want to wait two hours to eat.)
On Wednesday, we threw away two pounds of ground beef that, because I’d failed to freeze it, had gone sour in the fridge.
On Saturday, while making chili with fresh ground beef, I opened a jar of salsa (in mid-air, with another item in my hand) and watched it sling out everywhere — floor, walls, cabinets. I whimpered. Stephen helped clean up. Fortunately, I had purchased too much salsa due to forgetting we already had some, plus Stephen’s uncle had left us some salsa on Thanksgiving.
This morning (Monday, December 16), Teresa told me her paycheck did not go through on Friday. I logged into Quickbooks and saw that I had selected “paper check” instead of “direct deposit.”
I made plans to meet Teresa with a paper check in the afternoon. Then I wept as I dumped a couple of sliced-up bananas into the blender. (At least I hadn’t managed to mess up my breakfast smoothie in a while.) All these mistakes had been avoidable. And they might’ve been small, but they were afecting our everyday lives — even my employee’s life!
“God, what are You trying to teach me through all these screw-ups? You’ve got to tell me,” I begged.
The first thing that entered my mind was: You can do nothing without Me. It was Jesus’ words to His disciples: “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NLT).
I immediately agreed. It was all too obvious I could do nothing apart from Jesus. I couldn’t even fix a meal or run payroll. For that matter, I never would’ve met my financial goal for MCL this year without God …
Then I realized something: In planning how to use MCL’s profits — i.e., the “fruit” I’d produced that had ultimately come from God — Stephen and I had not considered a tithe. We were about to take a chunk and use it for our own purposes, with nary a thought of giving any back to the One who’d caused the fruit to grow.
After Stephen got home tonight, I brought up the tithe idea, and we agreed to do it. We’ve asked God before to show us how to use our resources, and He’s answering. We need to honor the One without whom we can do nothing.
To be clear, I don’t think my culinary mistakes were God’s way of punishing me for financial ones; I flung that salsa all by myself. I don’t think tithing is a magical hedge of protection against me making any future mistakes. And I certainly know tithing won’t pay for my mistakes or sins; Jesus already did that.
But as I stood crying in front of the blender this morning, God used my mundane mistakes to get my attention and direct it to a bigger blunder that Stephen and I were about to make. A crucial ingredient was missing from our financial plans, so we’re adjusting our recipe to the Lord’s.
Fortunately, that’s a recipe even I can follow.
In this edition
Our 2025 Health & Fitness Issue is full of health advice and tips, the story of a nurse-turned-preacher, the scoop on a local ministry that’s caring for cancer patients, and more. Plus, don’t miss our cover story on Dr. Christy Haygood and her husband, Jameson. They are a striking picture of what a healthy marriage can look like in 2025! Y
Katie Ginn katie@mschristianliving.com
Ready for a “retro” Christmas party — and absolutely not ready to make a proper green bean casserole.
Are you doing hard work, or heart work?
It is a new year, resolutions are in full swing, and I am here to remind you that your fitness and nutrition goals are not about a “try harder and do better” mentality. Yes, it takes your action and discipline, but most importantly, it takes your surrender.
Surrender whatever it is that you keep running back to that sabotages your goals. This is the heart work I challenge you with this year, especially if you set the same goal every year only to find yourself right back where you do not want to be.
I remember being so proud seeing the number 102 pop up as I stepped onto the scale — a religious, daily check-in I had after restricting myself to 700 calories a day. I was a 21-year-old college girl chasing “thin” instead of healthy and believing Satan’s lies of inferiority. Starvation eventually led me to binge eating once a week because “I earned it.” It was a vicious cycle, but it was the catalyst that eventually brought me to this very moment of writing to you.
As you can see, I have been on both sides of the fence when it comes to abusing food. Whether it was restriction or indulgence, Satan has used food to whisper his lies into my heart. But God left the 99 to rescue me and to remind me of His sweet truth: Food is not our enemy, but a good and gracious gift to us!
Today, I am so thankful that God pulled back the curtain on the lies I was believing about food and my body. What the enemy meant for evil, God is turning for good! He has opened doors for me to share a healthier, more godly approach to food and fitness goals. We do not have to fear food, be controlled by it, or forgo the value and importance that food and fitness play in our lives.
It’s hard to discern good from bad with all the diet fads out there. However, we serve a God who knows our genetic makeup better than any scientist, doctor, or diet expert. He provided just the right kinds of foods to His people thousands of years ago.
The original sin involved diet. This is not a new struggle for us. Adam and Eve ate the “forbidden fruit” that they wanted instead of enjoying the abundance of other fruits and veggies around them that God allowed! Similarly, we have all rebelled against God and sought things that are not good for us, including foods that were never meant to be consumed. For me, I craved being thin, so much so that I withheld foods and labeled them all bad. However, this only left me deficient, malnourished, and frail.
“ We do not have to fear food, be controlled by it, or forgo the value and importance that food and fitness play in our lives.”
Jade Whitehurst is a wife, mom, fitness coach, and eighth-grade science teacher. You can follow her on Instagram @jadewhitehurst_thefaithfitmom.
Wherever you swing on the food pendulum, from starvation to indulgence, how can you surrender and approach food with a godly heart?
We must first put food in its rightful place and know that food is a gift from God. It nourishes us down to a cellular level, and this is no coincidence. Therefore, when we approach food, let us be mindful that it is an act of honor and worship to God.
When we put food in its rightful place and we see it as a lens into the heart of God’s design, our hearts are moved to rejoice, give thanks, and honor God with the food He has blessed us with. Keeping this in your heart and mind while you meal plan, grocery shop, and eat will help set your heart’s intentions and bring you more joy to surrender the strongholds that food may have on you.
My prayer is that you find freedom in Christ to enjoy what is good in His sight — not to feel restricted, defeated, or controlled by food or by a number on the scale. May we learn from Adam and Eve that God can be trusted as we adopt habits that glorify Him.
Praise be to God for loving us so! Y
One family’s experience leads to cancer ministry
The Gaithers wrote a song called “God Loves to Talk to Little Boys When They’re Fishing.” They should consider writing a song about how God loves to talk to men when they’re sitting in a deer stand.
Even though Albert Archie loves to sing, he would rather share about a certain morning when he was in a deer stand. It was a solemn moment as he pondered his new title: widower. Valerie, his wife of 52 years, had passed on July 26, 2023, from cancer.
In the beauty of nature, God spoke to Albert’s heart about starting a cancer ministry. His retirement was being redefined. It would take six months of praying, meeting with area hospitals, researching, and drawing from his personal experiences. Not only did his wife have the dreaded disease, but so did he and their daughter. She is a breast cancer survivor. From their family experiences, God birthed the ministry.
The growth of the ministry
Albert shared the ministry concept with Kiely Young, congregational care and senior adult pastor at First Baptist Madison. On April 3, 2024, Kiely brought Albert nine new names and told him that Senior Pastor Breck Ladd had approved the ministry.
The ministry concept was shared with the Bible Fellowship classes. Soon, Albert had members volunteering and donating. Reflecting, he shared:
One of the remarkable things is the evidence that God was leading this endeavor from the beginning. Today, eight members serve on the leadership team, along with 10 other members who are participants in ministering to the church cancer members and their families. The participants in this ministry are Jesus’ hands and feet to the cancer suferers.
The key training component of each (volunteer) participant is their individual or family’s struggle with this terrible disease. We have walked the path other members are trying to negotiate.
Support and care packages
The cancer ministry volunteers, some of whom are current cancer patients themselves, ofer spiritual, emotional, and physical support. The patient is covered with prayer and encouraged to be in the scriptures as much as possible. Emotionally, there is encouragement, cards mailed, and being there to hold a hand or provide a shoulder to cry on. Physically, patients are assisted in getting oncology appointments. When necessary, meals are provided, as well as home and yard maintenance.
Additionally, every cancer patient receives a care package. It consists of a canvas bag with a love blanket made by church members, three motivational books, a handmade individualized stufed animal, and a special handmade card. Cancer survivor John Piper wrote a
pamphlet called “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.” In it, Piper shares 11 principles. Albert says number 11 is his favorite: “We waste our cancer if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.” The book is in the bag.
The stufed animals in the care package are made by Albert’s sister-in-law, Ann Dillard. The Lion of Judah is a favorite with the patients.
Offering support and hope
The goal of the First Baptist Madison Cancer Ministry is “to follow God’s leadership in ministering to all cancer church members and their families diagnosed with this awful disease. Because of the success of this church ministry, one specific 2025 goal will be to assist other churches which God is leading to establish a similar cancer ministry,” states Albert.
For more information about incorporating a cancer ministry in your church, call Albert at 769-232-0799 or email him at albertarchie@att.net. He or a team member is available to speak at your church. Y
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over 65, living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, ofers a cup of biblical hospitali-tea, encourages, and helps others with the how-to’s of life. Visit LauraLeeLeathers.com.
The First Baptist Madison Cancer Ministry leadership team poses with items that are placed in care packages for each cancer patient. Back, from left: Frank Montgomery, Bill Spence, Walter DeLoach and Steve Morris. Front, from left: Ministry founder Albert Archie, Freddie Montgomery, Jackie Fairly, and Kim Morris.
The “Lion of Judah” (pink) and “James.”
Why parenting isn’t about you — at any stage
No matter the season we are in, it can be hard being a parent, especially when your kids are in the __ stage. Fill in the blank with whatever parenting stage it is for you.
At every stage, there is a new me that God is tweaking and conforming to His image. I have found that when I’m willing to hear from Him, I can see clearly who He wants me to be for my children so that I can efectively point them to Him, rather than pointing them to me.
In the past, I thought it was important for me to keep learning and growing so that I could be the best version of myself. But God keeps showing me daily that life is not about me, but about Him and who He wants me to be for Him and His glory — even as a parent.
One of the greatest gifts from God is that He has used my children to reflect back to me who I really am. And no matter the parenting stage, the greatest gift I can give to them is to point them to the only One they
• The coaching years (12-18): “Raising Kingdom Kids” by Tony Evans. Who wouldn’t want to read everything by Tony Evans? All of his kids are amazing. Priscilla Shirer is one of them.
will need to navigate this life successfully. I needed to see Jesus from my parents. My children need to see Jesus from me. In every season, my children have helped me to look in the mirror and want to “put away my old self and its practices” (Colossians 3:9-10) and allow God to do something new in me.
I’ve learned that I need to surrender, be open, and be willing to hear from God. Every season presents its challenges. I have to ask myself: How often am I spending time with God about my children and my relationships with them?
Are you creating a list of books to read in 2025? The Bible is definitely the best resource on parenting. Here are a few other suggestions:
• The discipline years (0-5): “Family Driven Faith” by Voddie Baucham. This book helped us to set a standard and foundation for our family.
• The training years (5-12): “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp. I wish I would have been better at shepherding my children’s hearts during this season. I was in survival mode while homeschooling four children during this time.
• The friendship years (adulting years): “Doing Life with Your Adult Children” by Jim Burns. This is one of the seasons that we are in right now, and we have been using it to navigate our new life being friends with our children. The subtitle of this book is the best: “Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out.”
Lord, help us! We need You in every single stage in order to be like You — no matter what. Y
Shay Greenwood is a Certified Kingdom Life Coach who loves helping women live with more love, joy, and peace in their lives. She’s a wife to Roosevelt and mom to Bria, 28; Chandler (Bo), 26; Noah, 24; Jacob, 23; and Adam, 13. You can find her @shaygreenwood on Facebook and Instagram, and @MommaJaywood on TikTok.
January is Sanctity of Human Life Month
Start your new year with a new car tag supporting Mississippi pregnancy resource centers, which provide compassionate care to more than 50,000 moms per year. Take your current license plate to your local tag ofce and purchase the Choose Life tag OR the Adoption tag.
CPC transforming lives through relational support
Most of us can agree that the way we’ve overcome challenges or accomplished goals was in part because of people who supported us, challenged us, or helped us have hope and a vision for the future. For a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy in a difcult situation or under circumstances where she feels alone or scared, relationships with people who show her hope and ofer real support can be the diference that changes her course and gives her and her child a future.
CPC Metro’s mission is to empower the choice for life, but the ministry does not stop with the pregnancy choice. Since 1988, the ministry’s focus has always been not just on saving lives but on changing hearts. Women who believe abortion is their only option need more than a service or a handout. They need someone to walk alongside them, connecting with them as individuals who are created with purpose and are loved.
This past year, the CPC’s Cline Center ofered a new program called I am S.H.E. (Strong, Healed, and Empowered) for women who want to make a fresh start in their relationships and work toward goals. Cline Center staf help them set healthy goals, have weekly accountability, and earn incentives as they reach milestones. A mother of six recently worked with the I am S.H.E. team on her career goals. She had dreamed of starting a business
Empower the Choice for Life
Learn more about empowering lives!
where she could sell her art. In I am S.H.E., she earned incentives, helping her get her first business cards and enter her work in a local art exhibit. At the exhibit, she sold several of her paintings and was ofered a job! The impact is not just about the income she will earn, but the worth she feels having achieved her dream.
Another I am S.H.E. and parenting class participant shared that she was engaged but struggling with fear about getting married. Through her sessions with Cline staf, she and her fiancé were able to talk more about the wedding and work through her fears. When she set a date for the wedding, she wanted the Cline Center to be part of the celebration. They were married in December with Cline staf there to cheer them on.
As CPC Metro executive director, I love to see the heart behind the mission. Whether it is seeing a woman move from fear of the unknown to having joy and peace about a new baby, or helping a woman start over again after failed relationships, our work is about heart transformation. Through the connections each woman builds with our staf and volunteers, we pray she sees Christ and experiences His love. We serve her with love because He first loved us.
During Sanctity of Human Life Month, consider inviting CPC Metro to speak to your church or small group and learn how you can help empower the choice for life. Y
Erin Kate Goode is executive director at CPC Metro Area. In 2012, she began serving as a data entry volunteer with CPC. As her love for the ministry grew, she was hired as an administrative assistant in 2013 and became executive director in 2017. Erin Kate and her husband, Jim, live in Clinton with their two children and attend Morrison Heights Baptist Church.
CPC Metro’s I am S.H.E. (Strong, Healed, and Empowered) program helps women who want to make a fresh start in their relationships and work toward goals.
From caring for bodies to caring for souls
Having been a registered nurse for 40-plus years, I cared for the physical body. I grew up nursing critically ill patients who often required life-support measures. I knew I was called to be a nurse and thought that was my ministry in life.
Most of my nursing career was in Hattiesburg at Forrest General Hospital. I worked in intensive care and became a cardiology nurse for Dr. Thad Waites. I later became director of Heart Services.
God blessed me with a beautiful wife who also blessed us with two wonderful children and three grandchildren. We attended church, where we were always active with Sunday school and children’s ministry. We grew spiritually and became praise and worship leaders at Pleasant Ridge Church of God in Moselle, Mississippi. It was a small country church, full of love and praying saints.
My wife is from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. In 2006, we moved there to care for my father-in-law.
During my career in the Valley, I worked in special procedures. I thought, this is great. One day I had a patient who needed intravenous sedation. As I got my patient ready, I experienced a fall that took me from the career I so loved. I went into an extremely dark place in life. The devil thought he had destroyed me. I contemplated suicide. I felt as if God had turned His back on me. I was often told to pray and hang on to my rope. I made the statement that my knot had slipped and I was free-falling. Through God’s great mercy, I survived.
I turned to scripture. My favorite to this day is Isaiah 43:1819. I knew God was placing water in my desert and paths in my wilderness.
I began to seek God as never before and search out His will in my life. We continued to minister with song when we had the opportunity. God began to open doors for us to minister. I had made the statement that I would never move back to Mississippi. However, we remained in contact with our friends at Pleasant Ridge Church. They asked if we would be interested in being their pastor. We prayed for God’s will.
We thought we had our retirement home at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But we knew God was moving. We placed our house on the market, it sold in four days at the asking price, and we closed in 30 days. This was April of 2019. We moved back to Mississippi and began pastoring in June of 2019. God has been faithful.
One of my messages was GPR, God Performs Restoration. The biggest trial was COVID within the first year. God proved again He is faithful.
We are still working for God. I now care for souls instead of the body. I’m reminded of the scripture Esther 4:14 … for such a time as this. Y
“ As I got my patient ready, I experienced a fall that took me from the career I so loved. … I contemplated suicide. I felt as if God had turned His back on me. … Through God’s great mercy, I survived.”
Lamar Harrison was a registered nurse for 42 years before becoming a minister. He is called to help others. He has an associate’s degree in nursing and a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Currently, he is the pastor of Pleasant Ridge Church of God in Moselle, Mississippi. He and his wife have been married for 38 years and have two children and three grandchildren.
If you aren’t sure whether you have a relationship with God or where you’ll go when you die, please don’t put this magazine down until you’ve read the following:
✝ THE PROBLEM
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death … – Romans 6:23a
The natural result and consequence of our sin is eternal death, or hell (Revelation 20:15), separated from God. This is because God is completely perfect and holy (Matthew 5:48), and His justice demands that sin be punished (Proverbs 11:21).
✝ THE SOLUTION
… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23b
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
Jesus Christ died in our place on the cross and took on the punishment for all our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). Then God raised Him from the dead (John 20)!
✝ HOW TO RECEIVE SALVATION
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9
Trust in what Jesus has done for you — His death for your sins and His resurrection — and trust Him as Lord.
✝ IS IT FOR ANYONE?
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. – Romans 10:13
✝ THE RESULTS
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39
✝ WHAT TO DO NEXT
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17
If you decided to trust in Jesus, grow in your faith by reading more of God’s Word in the Bible. We recommend the gospel of John (it comes just after Luke) as a good starting point — or Romans!
Finding a church close to you that teaches faith in Christ is another important step. It’s crucial to spend time with other believers so we can encourage each other in our faith.
If you have questions about anything on this page, please contact us at 601.896.1432, or send us a message on Facebook @MSChristianLiving, Instagram @mschristianmag or Twitter @MSChristLiving.
and Jameson at their home in Madison County.
Christy & Jameson HAYGOOD
What are you providing?
When Christy and Jameson Haygood married in 2012, Christy was training in gynecologic oncology. She’d be making good money soon, and Jameson considered that a personal challenge.
“I was excited to see if I could try and maybe match her income,” he says, recalling his career as a pharmaceutical sales rep.
Today, things are diferent: Jameson’s typical weekday involves hosting “Good Fight with Jameson Haygood” for two hours on 103.9 WYAB FM and taking care of the kids. Meanwhile, Christy cares for cancer patients at St. Dominic Hospital, with little flexibility during the workday.
This arrangement doesn’t always feel perfect.
“There’s a lot of mom guilt,” Christy says of her busy schedule.
BY STEGALL
Christy
PHOTO
IMAGERY
“I do not make as much money as she does, and I could not pay these bills around here with my job,” Jameson says. That’s been an adjustment for his ego.
But for the Haygoods, it’s not about who does what, or who pulls more income. Both Jameson and Christy are providers.
In Jameson’s words, the question is, “What are you providing?”
Dog food, jobs, and babies
Jameson grew up in Springhill, Louisiana, with a mom who played piano and a dad who directed the choir and sang in a gospel quartet with family. If Jameson acted up during worship — which the Haygoods attended every Wednesday and twice on Sundays — he’d receive the “classic Southern mom pinch,” he says.
For him, that was all part of attending a gospel-preaching church. “From earliest childhood, I was shown and taught the gospel,” Jameson recalls. Still, when he made a profession of faith at age 6, “I did it because I knew it was something everybody did. I didn’t really know what was going on,” he says.
“Then in seventh grade, I came under conviction … The simplicity of the gospel of ‘those who believe are saved,’ when it hit me, it was a no-brainer that that had not happened in my life. (When) it hits you that it’s in the resurrected Lord and faith in His righteousness that one is saved — when you believe that, you’re saved.”
Christy has a similar story. Her parents volunteered for every mission trip and took her with them to countries like Mexico and Honduras. She was baptized at age 7 but didn’t understand salvation until her mid-teens. “And there were times I didn’t live as close to the Lord,” she says.
her in that faith, which was currently taking a backseat to her training as she worked every other weekend.
Similarly, “at that point, 30 years old and having a rather lucrative pharmaceutical sales job, (I wasn’t) living the way you really should live,” Jameson says. “It was extravagant in many ways, over the top in many ways, a lot of selfish behavior … “
Also, his lifelong passion for politics could escalate a conversation into an argument. “I made some big scenes with her close friends and colleagues if they disagreed with me,” he says.
However, Christy says, “I knew the man underneath that outburst was who I could spend my life with. And a lot of times, it wasn’t that I disagreed with him (in his beliefs). It’s just, sometimes you win the flies with honey.”
The Haygoods themselves have had “some knockdown, drag-out political and theological fights and debates,” Jameson says. “We survived those (and) it’s made us so much stronger.”
“That was a learning point,” Christy says. “Just because we disagreed on how to apply some of Paul’s letters (from the New Testament)… we (still) both had a very strong faith. It was not a personal attack.”
One thing Christy wrestled with, even after she and Jameson married, was letting go of some of her independence. “There are times when I struggle letting people help me.”
Jameson shares an example from years ago. It’s funny now, but he was not amused at the time:
“We were coming through the grocery store, and we had bought a big bag of dog food … and she goes to grab the dog food (to put it on the conveyor belt) — and I push it down, I knock it out of her hand, basically. I am not going to have you, in front of these people, pick up this 50-pound bag of dog food ... That will be my job, thank you.”
After completing undergrad at Mississippi College and medical school at UMMC, Christy knew she wanted to specialize in gynecologic oncology.
“I felt a desire to take care of women. Being part of their cancer journey is an incredible role. It’s one of the scariest times of your life. I had a faith that would help people through that,” she says. “The Lord does miraculous healings … but our ultimate home and healing is with Him.”
She moved to Birmingham for her training and met Jameson through a mutual friend. They went on an “easy, comfortable blind date with other people,” Jameson recalls, and they discovered their shared faith in Jesus. Christy wanted someone who would encourage
Christy, of course, had picked up that dog food without thinking about it, as she would’ve done in her single years. She and Jameson hadn’t met until their late 20s. “There’s a lot to be said for a woman who lived alone for a long time,” she says.
In 2013, When Christy was pregnant with her and Jameson’s first child, she was about to start her oncology fellowship. Then Jameson lost his job right before the baby was due.
“That was very scary and anxiety-provoking,” she recalls. “(But) I clearly see this was the Lord’s hand now.”
The Haygoods were about to be first-time parents with no family in Birmingham to help with childcare. Christy also was about to start a super busy fellowship. And Jameson just happened to be
Jameson and Christy married in 2012 after meeting in their late 20s in Birmingham, where Jameson worked in pharmaceutical sales and Christy was completing her oncology residency.
Today, Jameson hosts “Good Fight with Jameson Haygood” weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on 103.9 WYAB FM.
unemployed. He was looking at jobs, but a lot of them involved travel.
“We sat down (and talked),” Christy says. “He got the opportunity to stay home (with the baby), and he was willing to do that.”
“Christy knew what the three-year (oncology) fellowship was going to bring. I did not know the demands she would be under physically, mentally, spiritually,” Jameson says. “(At eight months pregnant) she came out of the blue with this (idea for me to stay home). Had it been brought up at any other time, I would’ve responded very negatively.”
Moving home, prioritizing ministry
Christy told Jameson shortly after they first met: “I’m moving back to Mississippi.” Sure enough, “I moved away single (in 2009), and I came back (in 2016) with three dogs, two children, and a husband,” she recalls.
wanted his job to look like in the future when she’d be a practicing physician. Even then, they knew he would have to take on most of the kids’ school activities.
“(Med sales) was really not where his passion was,” Christy recalls. “He said, ‘Well, I’ve always wanted to do a radio show.’”
Unlike the medical field, there was no step-by-step plan for becoming a DJ. But “I knew he could talk,” Christy says.
A few years after they moved back to Mississippi, he got the chance to get paid for it.
In January 2019, Jameon’s friend James Tulp asked him to sell ads on commission for WYAB, the radio station where Tulp hosted a show. Then in June, Jameson filled in as host for an hour while Tulp was out.
Christy is a gynecologic oncologist at St. Dominic’s.
Her desire to move home “was endearing to me,” Jameson says. “I love her family. I appreciated how loving they were and that we had support. The tough transition was showing up as the stay-home dad. (In) Birmingham, our friends knew me (from a few years before) as not the stay-home dad.”
Early in their marriage, Christy had asked Jameson what he
“It went good enough (that) he asked me back a couple times,” Jameson says. “Then he decided to run for Congress, and he couldn’t host anymore. At this time, he has a two-hour radio show.” The job was Jameson’s if he wanted it.
This was another fork in the road, Christy says: “You have to think, whose career do we need to put priority to? For so long, that had been my career.”
Still, Jameson says, “I wanted to say no. She had to be willing to support me and to pay someone (for childcare).” The show aired two hours a day, five days a week.
“By that point, we had three children, I was established in the community, and my practice was busy enough,” Christy says. “It was an easy yes. We’ll do what it takes (for Jameson to host the show).”
The radio gig was temporary, at least in theory. But after Tulp lost his congressional bid, “he did not come back,” Jameson says. “That was October 2019, and I’ve been there ever since.”
Jameson’s WYAB time slot was initially 2 to 4 p.m. “(That) was such a tough time. (Christy) picked up so much slack. This woman
Santa Claus (center) gets a visit from (clockwise from top left) Jameson, Christy, Levi, Cora, and CC Haygood.
has never shirked a task. It is a pace that is encouraging and challenging,” he says.
“We had after-school and full-time daycare. He’s not getting back to the Madison area till 5:00, not getting home till 6:00. I was praying for a diferent schedule,” Christy says.
“There were times when I was like, I don’t want you to be working. I don’t want to pick up the kids from daycare. But that (show) is his ministry. It helps me to look at it that way. This is not a financial gain. It’s a heavenly gain. People needed to hear his perspective.”
On “Good Fight with Jameson Haygood,” Jameson brings a biblical worldview to culture and politics. “When you look through scripture, you find all these things that make this country great: individual rights, property rights, sovereign nations,” he says.
“We also get an explanation for why bad things happen. … Once you see there is real good and real evil in the world, you start to look at how you can mitigate that evil.”
Today, the show airs from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, which has been a much easier schedule for the family. The show also streams live at WYAB.com, and listeners can find previous episodes at GoodFight1791.com.
Just as Christy knows “Good Fight” is Jameson’s ministry, he knows oncology is hers. “I get to see it from the inside, how she changes lives,” he says.
Callings, transformation, and bedtime questions
When asked about their individual callings, Christy says she feels called to care for patients at their lowest point and to see their cancer journey through to the end — whatever that end looks like.
“As we look at end of life, what’s on the other side?” She hopes her faith can serve as an example for patients who might not know the answer.
For his calling, Jameson references Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13-14 — “forgetting what is behind and pushing forward to the high calling of God.” This applies to work, parenting, and marriage.
“In 2019, a revival came in my life, to get me away from some selfish decisions I had been making, and with the help of mentors, I’ve been focused on slow transformation,” he says. “I don’t want to sound arrogant or like I’ve figured it all out. It’s about stacking a lot of small decisions.
“Doing it God’s way, selflessly, soberly, taking captive every
thought … (That) way produces a joy and a peace and a love between a man and a woman that I did not think was possible.
“(In) a relationship, the new will always wear of. And while our relationship, like any, has been a journey, it has been mind-blowing to see this renewed daily love and desire for (my wife), 12 years into this thing.”
Christy adds: “(Love is) a choice. It’s a choice every day. I love this
man. He supports me. I’m the one that’s gone most of the time. I can’t do stuf at the school. (But for him) it’s not a question,” she says.
“When you get that call at 4:30, and you’re just expecting your spouse to be home, and the call is, ‘I’m not going to make it’ — I don’t know if I could do it, honestly.”
“You do it because you know it’s the best thing for the family,” Jameson says.
So … how do they do it? Or at least try to do it well?
Christy listens to “The Bible Recap” podcast during her 20-minute commute. “That helps me stay in scripture. There are days when I feel more connected and days that I don’t.” (Jameson adds what every
8:30 a.m. Traditional Service
9:45 a.m. Life Group
11:00 a.m. Refuge Contemporary Service
Bible reader knows: “Leviticus is hard to trudge through.”)
Jameson has “a really important support group” that includes people “in every sector” of his life, he says, but “the chief reason I’m able to do what I do is because of her parents. They have been so supportive and so encouraging about what I have chosen to do. You can tell they’re genuine.”
Though Christy doesn’t have the flexibility of her husband’s schedule, “I always try to be present (for our kids) in the mornings, getting them ready for school and doing drop-ofs or walks to the bus,” she says.
“I also spend at least five minutes with each kid alone at bedtime and ask them two questions: What was the best part of your day? And what was the worst part of your day? I also try to do a weekend a year just me and one kid — usually related to sports, but that gives us some time with just each other.”
Toward the end of this conversation, two of the Haygood children walk in from school and issue loud greetings. The volume decreases after Dad tells them we’re recording — “just like in the studio,” he says — and afterward, Levi tells Mom he found the missing piece to the jigsaw puzzle they’ve been working on.
Writer and photographer pack up and roll out. Photo shoots and interviews are fun, but it’s late afternoon on a Friday. Time for the Haygoods to focus on their most important calling: family. Y
HEALTH & FITNESS FOCUS:
HOW JAMESON AND CHRISTY STAY HEALTHY
“We both focus on weightlifting and strength training at the Madison Healthplex. What we do now determines how our bodies age, and we want to remain active,” Jameson says.
“We focus on eating whole foods as unprocessed as possible, with a main portion being protein.
“Christy likes to take an hour or two over the weekend and meal prep so she has ready-made lunches to take to work. I try to do (more meal prep) in a session, so I end up with about 15 meals in the freezer.
“We buy local produce at Two Dog Farms as much as possible, and next year we hope our garden with help from Cedar Hill Gardening produces more!” (Jameson’s Christmas gift to Christy was a Cedar Hill gardening consultation.)
PHOTOS BY STEGALL IMAGERY
Health & fitness tips for 2025
With the new year come new resolutions to be good stewards of the bodies (and minds) God gave us. Here are some tips to help you get started. Many of these people and organizations are MCL advertising partners with ads in this edition!
Active Rest, LLC:
Find a fun workout
Focus on fun and fellowship. Participate in workouts that you enjoy with the people you love.
Music and dancing are ways I incorporate elements of fun into my workouts. I teach Xtreme Hip Hop step aerobics and line dancing. Music keeps us energized as we perform the moves, and dancing doesn’t feel like a workout.
My workout partners also support and motivate me to stay consistent. I am regularly joined by my friends, family, and neighbors for at-home workouts and neighborhood walks. Having a supportive community also helps build stronger relationships. – Donna Ellis, lead fitness instructor.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi: Just move!
The secret to better health? Exercise!
Being healthy is unique for everyone. However, exercise is the key to everyone’s health, not just now but in their future.
BlueHealth Baptist Medical Director Dr. Timothy Chen says exercise is a keystone habit — one that, if you get it right, can positively afect your nutrition intake, sleep habits, moods, and camaraderie with other people.
“If you look at things that make you live longer and have better health, exercise is the top thing that you can do,” says Dr. Chen. “People who exercise compared to those who don’t have a diference in life expectancy of seven to 10 years.”
Exercise can lower your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers while also improving your range of motion, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and bone health.
Blue Wellness Coach Tameka Johnson says the key to keeping a daily exercise routine is to set short-term goals.
“Set short-term goals and work toward reaching those. Once you reach them, celebrate and repeat,” says Tameka. “At the beginning of the week, start a plan by setting a minimum amount of time and when you want to exercise. Then build from there!”
The general recommendation is 30 minutes a day, five days a week to support good health. Speak with your provider first if you have any health limitations or conditions.
If you’re worried about finding the time to incorporate movement, even small amounts of movement can significantly lower health risks. A recent study by Columbia University found that taking
Donna Ellis
Dr. Timothy Chen (left) and Blue Wellness Coach Tameka Johnson.
five-minute walks every 30 minutes resulted in better biometrics than walking for a full 30 minutes. The key factor is the overall frequency of movement throughout the day, not just the duration of the exercise.
“At BlueHealth Baptist, we stay up to date on all the emerging health data,” says Dr. Chen. “We can help you prioritize what would afect your health in a meaningful way that is tailored specifically to you.”
BlueHealth Baptist in Madison is a primary care clinic dedicated to members of Blue Cross Blue Shield. The clinic establishes relationships with its patients and provides a high-quality primary care experience that is specific and unique. BlueHealth Baptist has one of the nation’s only drive-up labs, onsite wellness classes, and an outdoor walking track that is open to the public. Call 601-664-4300 to schedule an appointment.
Capital Ortho:
Focus on consistent movement
As we welcome the new year, Capital Ortho encourages everyone to prioritize consistent movement as the cornerstone of orthopedic health. Engaging in regular physical activity not only strengthens muscles and joints but also enhances flexibility and balance, reducing the risk of injury.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, incorporating activities like walking, swimming, or cycling. We also encourage you to include strength training exercises twice a week, focusing on major muscle groups to support joint stability and bone health.
Fondren Fitness:
Start small, build a routine
Our advice for a healthy 2025 is to pace yourself and build consistency in your daily routine! All too often, people start of the new year with a bang and burn out quickly. Figure out your routine, start with small goals and stick with it! – Terry Sullivan, general manager.
GRIT
Mississippi
Baptist Medical Center:
Schedule a yearly wellness visit
Additionally, integrate movement into your daily routine — take the stairs, stretch during breaks, or enjoy a walk during lunch. Remember, even small actions count! Prioritizing movement helps maintain a healthy weight, improves circulation, and boosts overall well-being. Make this commitment to yourself in the new year, and you’ll see the positive impact it has on your orthopedic health and overall quality of life! – Dr. Chad Hosemann, MD.
Fitness & Training: Progress, not perfection
Commit to consistency, not perfection. Whether it’s strength training or cardio, staying consistent with your workouts — no matter how small — yields lasting results. Focus on progress, not perfection, and make fitness a sustainable part of your lifestyle. Small steps lead to big changes! – Mandy Lynskey, founder and co-owner.
Magnolia Recovery & Wellness Foundation: Find balance, prioritize God
The key to a healthy lifestyle is all about balance. We must take care of all aspects of our lives including our bodies, our minds, and our souls. It all starts with a healthy relationship with God and striving to be the best versions of ourselves so that we may glorify Him in all that we do. The choices that we make in life must be in alignment with our values. When choices that we make are not in alignment with our values, this is where certain aspects of our lives become out of balance. This includes our relationships with food, television, sleep patterns, and sometimes other substances. We must prioritize ourselves. Once we do, we can begin to make progress physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Since 1911, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center has served Mississippi as a Christian-based, nonprofit comprehensive medical center. Now more than 100 years later on the same site in downtown Jackson and as part of one of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems in the country, our services consist of a network of comprehensive healthcare, including a designated burn care center and more than 30 medical clinics in the tri-county area.
A yearly wellness visit with your physician or provider is one of the ways to stay on top of your health. You and your provider can cover any concerns you might have or catch up on any screenings. An annual exam might even help you detect trouble early. If there are any concerns requiring follow-up, our network of specialty clinics backed by Mississippi Baptist Medical Center can take care of all your family’s needs.
Mississippi
Organ Recovery Agency:
Register to be an organ donor
Organ donation saves lives and gives second chances. One donor can save up to eight lives and heal 75 or more through tissue donation. More than 1,300 Mississippians await transplants. It’s a legacy of hope and generosity that changes families forever. Register your decision to donate at RegisterMe.org.
The Orchard: Be active, eat well, and hydrate
Staying active, eating nutritiously, and maintaining proper hydration are essential components of good health for seniors. As we age, the importance of regular motion becomes even more pronounced. Engaging in activities such as walking, gentle stretching, light gardening, or swimming
Dr. Chad Hosemann
Mandy Lynskey
Dedicated to Your Care
At Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, we’re passionate about delivering the right care at the right time, with your safety and comfort in mind.
That’s why we’re consistently recognized as a regional and national leader in providing safe, patient centered care.
Because we know, the first step to getting well is getting better care.
You intended to harm me but God meant it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20
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helps maintain strength, flexibility, and balance. Once you stop moving regularly, it can be difcult to start again, potentially leading to a range of health issues. Reduced mobility can make day-to-day tasks challenging, resulting in a loss of independence. Additionally, remaining sedentary can contribute to increased blood pressure, poor circulation, and even a decline in mood and overall emotional well-being.
Beyond staying active, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides the nutrients seniors need to keep their bodies strong. This type of eating pattern supports healthy digestion, boosts the immune system, and can help keep chronic conditions under control. Proper nutrition also contributes to maintaining a healthy weight, which lowers the risk of cardiovascular issues and joint problems.
Just as critical as nutritious eating is adequate hydration. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain energy levels, supports healthy digestion, and regulates body temperature. Hydration becomes increasingly important as we age because older adults may have a reduced sense of thirst. By making a conscious efort to sip water throughout the day, seniors can prevent issues related to dehydration, such as dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
Regular motion, a nutrient-rich diet, and sufcient water intake form the cornerstone of senior health, helping maintain independence, well-being, and vitality.
Ovation Wellness:
Consider hormone treatment
Perimenopause and menopause often present with symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and fatigue. These can disrupt daily routines, relationships, and overall well-being. There are treatment options to improve emotional health, productivity, and physical comfort. Let our Certified Hormone Specialists at Ovation Wellness individualize treatment options for you.
Pine Grove Behavioral
Health & Addiction Services: Exercise may help alleviate depression
While traditional treatments for depression often involve medication and therapy, evidence suggests exercise is also helpful for managing and alleviating depressive symptoms:
● Exercising can create feelings of happiness by triggering the release of endorphins.
● Over time, physical activity decreases stress hormones like cortisol, promoting relaxation and alleviating tension.
● Regular exercise can boost your selfesteem. Achieving your fitness milestones, even small ones, can send your confidence soaring, preventing the feelings of failure that often accompany depression.
● Attending group fitness classes or signing up for a recreational community sports team can provide valuable opportunities to combat isolation and hopelessness.
What happens to your brain when you exercise?
Engaging in regular physical activity brings about several brain changes that support mood regulation:
● Neurotransmitter regulation: Exercise increases neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which are often low in people sufering from depression.
● Neuroplasticity: Moderate and highintensity workouts can stimulate the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that promotes the growth of new neurons and helps protect existing ones. This can enhance brain plasticity, which is crucial for learning and memory, and may alleviate depressive symptoms.
● Reduced inflammation: Regular exercise has proven to reduce inflammatory markers, potentially decreasing depression risk or severity.
How to start a fitness routine:
Here are some tips to ease you into a physically active lifestyle:
● Start with realistically achievable objectives. If you’re new to exercise, start with light 10- to 15-minute walks, gradually
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Music.
increasing the duration and intensity as your fitness level improves.
● Exercise doesn’t have to be tedious or painful. Find activities you like, such as dancing, hiking, yoga, or swimming.
● Set a specific workout schedule and stick to it. Making time for exercise regularly can turn it into a habit.
● Track your progress. Many fitness apps ofer structured workout plans, instructional videos, and an encouraging user community.
● Invite a friend or family to join you. Having a workout buddy can increase your accountability and make physical activity more enjoyable.
● Ask an experienced trainer to work with you to create a personalized exercise plan that suits your needs, preferences, and health status.
For more information about Pine Grove’s programs and services for the treatment of depression, other mental healthcare conditions, and addiction, please visit pinegrovetreatment.com, and call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673).
Prime Care Nursing: Nurses and caregivers, prioritize self-care
As part of a healthcare team, prioritizing your own health is essential for providing the best care to others. In the new year, set aside time for self-care, whether through regular exercise, proper nutrition, or relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness. Ensure you get enough sleep to stay alert and resilient. Stay connected with colleagues for emotional support and consider seeking professional help when stress becomes overwhelming. A healthy body and mind enhance your ability to care for patients, so remember to nurture yourself as you nurture others. Your well-being matters, too! – Autumn Cummings, public relations director.
Red River Counseling: Play for health
I regularly lead retreats and have found that the one thing missing in most adults’ lives is play.
There’s plenty of escaping, avoiding, distracting, and busyness, but rarely consistent play — doing things you enjoy, with people you enjoy, for the sake of enjoyment. – Branden Henry, founder. More info: RedRiverCounseling.net.
Rochelle Thompson: Consistency is key
Consistency is the key to maintaining good health! Consistency in food choices, workouts, healthcare, and spiritual growth is instrumental to healthy living.
Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things through Christ. Ask God for strength to be consistent. You can do it! – Rochelle Thompson, public health advocate, fitness instructor, and coach.
St. Dominic:
program, state-of-the-art equipment, and an array of fun and exciting classes — not to mention a personable, qualified staf — St. Dominic’s is the ultimate choice for fitness and well-being.
Patients from our Outpatient Rehab or Cardiopulmonary Rehab programs can make a seamless transition to the Fitness Center for continued lifestyle changes and health benefits. When you join, you’ll receive a fitness assessment and program design, with periodic reassessments to help you track progress.
Our membership privileges include:
● Degreed and certified team
● Heated indoor pool
● Indoor track / outdoor walking trail
● Indoor cycling
● Latest cardio and strength equipment
● Personal training
● Pilates
● Sauna and steam rooms
● Toning and strength classes
● Water aerobics
Build consistency over perfection
As we step into the new year, St. Dominic’s Fitness Center invites you to make a healthy change in your life today. Matthew Schlatter, Fitness Center manager, said his number one health tip for 2025 is to “build consistency over perfection.”
The start of a new year often comes with ambitious resolutions, but all too often, those lofty goals can become overwhelming. Instead of taking an all-or-nothing approach, focus on small, sustainable habits. Whether it’s committing to three 30-minute workouts a week, swapping sugary drinks for water, or carving out 10 minutes daily for mindfulness, consistency is the foundation of lasting change.
Not your typical health club, St. Dominic’s Fitness Center is a medically based facility designed to help you reach and maintain an optimal level of health through safe exercise and strength training. With an exceptional aquatic exercise
This year, prioritize progress over perfection. Celebrate small victories, like choosing movement over sitting still, or preparing one healthy meal instead of trying to meal prep for an entire week. Remember, it’s the small, consistent steps forward that add up to big changes.
Visit St. Dominic’s Fitness Center and let us help you start your journey toward a healthier, happier you. Together, we can make 2025 your best year yet. To learn more about memberships and programs, call 601-200-4925.
Stonewater Recovery: Find peace beyond the screen
In our increasingly hectic world, one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our families in 2025 is a break from our devices.
Our children in particular need this space from screens, technology, and the comparison culture of social media. CDC research data shows that about 1 in 4 teenagers with four hours or more of daily screen time experienced anxiety or depression symptoms as a result.
Rochelle Thompson
Elizabeth Fikes
Matthew Schlatter
It’s true: Every time we reach for our phones, we miss an opportunity to reach for something greater. Start small by protecting the dinner hour as a phone-free zone, or dedicate an entire weekend day as a digital sabbath to foster time being present with your family. You’ll likely find that these small changes lead to deeper relationships, better sleep, and with intention, a more faith-focused spirit.
– Elizabeth Fikes, founder.
Watershed Counseling: Set
and maintain healthy boundaries
To maintain your mental health, set boundaries when visiting family. Communicate your needs clearly, like limiting the length of your stay or stepping away for alone time if needed. Respectfully
address sensitive topics and prioritize selfcare. Healthy boundaries ensure meaningful connections without sacrificing your emotional well-being.
Wendy Maxwell, counselor: Spend your time wisely
Put first things first and remember that you can choose to fill your time with activities, thoughts, habits, and relationships that are life-giving or soulcrushing. Choose wisely!
● Be intentional about what you choose to focus on mentally and emotionally.
● Be intentionally thankful every day.
● Be intentional about how you choose to spend your time.
● Be intentional about being in the present moment.
Give yourself permission to:
● Say no.
● Say yes.
● Get of social media.
● Stop worrying about what everyone else says or thinks.
The YMCA is for social responsibility, youth development, and healthy living, and health is all about consistency. The actions you consistently do mold who you are. Implementing one healthy action consistently can, over time, allow major change. The YMCA is here to help you make those choices! - Kooper Davis, senior director of wellness. Y
Wendy Maxwell
How sharing abortion stories can SaveOne
“ SaveOne is a confidential, Bible-based healing program designed to help men, women, and loved ones who are suffering from the effects of abortion.”
Laura Knight has served on the Pro-Life Mississippi board of directors since 2016 and held the position of board president from 2021 to 2024. Laura and her husband, Jay, have been married for 21 years and have four children.
“What if I shared my secret? How would they react? I have carefully hidden this secret, but I am continually reminded of it. Memories of the abortion I had as a college student keep emerging from the furthest recesses of my mind. Yesterday, I saw a family pushing a baby stroller, and I was reminded of my own child that could have been.” – ‘Emma’
“As a young man, I remember the two times I failed as a father — when I couldn’t protect my unborn baby and his mother from the lies of abortion. After years of drowning this hidden past with alcohol, drugs, and toxic relationships, I faced the truth and shared my story with someone who led me to an abortion recovery group.” – ‘Michael,’ a SaveOne graduate
“Every time I hear the word ‘abortion,’ I immediately remember when my granddaughter told me about hers. That was two years ago. I didn’t know. I could have helped. She didn’t seem upset, but I am devastated with grief over a grandchild I will never know. Am I overreacting?” – ‘Wendy’
Healing from the ripple effects of abortion
Did you know that 1 in 3 women in America has experienced an abortion? Behind each decision is a story, often carried in silence. Abortion can have a ripple efect, touching not just women but men, grandparents, siblings, and friends. As the stories above reveal, the aftermath can leave emotional and spiritual scars, sometimes buried for years.
For many, the pain manifests as grief, depression, anxiety, regret, or even addiction. Relationships may sufer, and emotional attachments can become hard to navigate. Abortion creates a deep wound, one that is difcult to heal alone.
What is SaveOne?
SaveOne is a confidential, Bible-based healing program designed to help men, women, and loved ones who are sufering from the efects of abortion. Participants find freedom, hope, and restoration through guided study and compassionate support.
I lead SaveOne recovery groups here in Mississippi, partnering with Pro-Life Mississippi and churches like First Presbyterian Church of Madison to ofer these life-changing studies. In SaveOne groups, participants experience a safe and confidential space to process their pain and begin a journey toward healing.
Why healing matters
The decision to heal often begins with sharing a story. When people experience the restoration and hope ofered through SaveOne, they often want to help others avoid years of hidden pain. If sharing their journey can “save one” person from the trauma of abortion, they know it’s worth it.
Whether you carry this hidden pain yourself or know someone afected by an abortion, healing is possible. You are not alone. Y
How my folks helped me financially — and how I helped them right back
I’ll never forget the conversation that had more influence over my career than any college lecture ever did.
“Hey, Sam, can I talk to you for a second?” It was the summer before my freshman year at Mississippi State University, and my dad wanted to give me a little advice.
“Mom and I have been thinking about this a lot. Other than teaching you the importance of the Bible, this is probably the second-best thing we know to do for you now as your parents. We think it’s important that you open a Roth IRA.”
I had no clue what a Roth IRA was, but I did know this: It must be important. Looking back, that conversation was the driving force in what would become my career. That was the first time I was given financial advice from someone who I knew wanted only the best for me.
If only that small conversation would have solved the dilemma all college students face: What am I going to do for a job? After years of questioning, I found myself still confused. Until one day the lightbulb went of.
“Do whatever gets you excited every day, and do it for the glory of God.” These were the words spoken by my Bible study leader to a group of anxious college guys about their next steps, and I knew I really liked two things: helping people, and finance. Suddenly, God’s call on my life became a lot clearer.
One of the things that made fulfilling that call a lot easier was
the interview I had with Randy Mascagni of Mascagni Wealth Management. What stood out was the diferent approach Randy took as he ended our formal interview. Instead of restating the firm’s core values or efective investment philosophy, he said, “Why don’t you go home and pray about it, and we are going to go home and pray about it too.” I knew I had found the right place. Since the start of my career, I’ve had many noteworthy experiences, but there is one that tops them all. I walked into the back door of my parent’s house with a comprehensive financial plan and asked the question almost identical to the one my dad had asked me years ago: “Hey Mom and Dad. Can I talk to y’all for a second?” It is amazing what can happen when somebody wants what is best for you. Y
Sam Buchanan is a lifetime resident of Jackson. He decided to pursue a career in financial services because of his passion for financial planning, investing, and people. In 2024, Sam graduated with highest honors from Mississippi State University with a degree in finance. He is currently pursuing his CFP® certification, demonstrating his commitment to professional development and excellent services. Sam has had previous work experience throughout his collegiate career, including with International Paper, Wellspire Financial Group, and Congressman Michael Guest. Outside of work, Sam enjoys playing golf, bow hunting, and participating in men’s Bible study.
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
~ 3 JOHN 1:2, ESV
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
~ PROVERBS 16:14, ESV
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”
~ JEREMIAH 33:6, NIV
“Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!’”
~ I SAMUEL 25:6, NIV
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
~ PROVERBS 3:7-8, NIV
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
~ PROVERBS 4:23, NIV
“Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.”
~ EZRA 9:9, NIV
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
~ 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20, NIV
“Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.”
~ ISAIAH 38:16, NIV
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”
~ MATTHEW 6:22, NIV
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
~ ACTS 20:24, NIV
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
~ ROMANS 6:4, NIV
“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
