Pursuing the Savior who pursued them first From Aryan Brotherhood to brother in Christ Why I’m proud of my breast cancer scar
Wrinthia Kendrick didn’t get diagnosed with breast cancer for nearly two years after discovering an abnormality on her breast. Read her story on page 18.
Pursuing the Savior who pursued them first feature
From Aryan Brotherhood to brother in Christ
Abortion, an old quadriplegic, and a ’70s hit
Be the Christian example your kiddos need to see today
Does God really care about my health and fitness goals?
McCoy House growing and ‘rocking’ for recovery
How is your health impacting your children?
Why I’m thankful for my breast cancer scar
How Mission Mississippi has helped me form deeper connections
How to become an encourager
MS Christian Living, Inc.
EDITOR Katie Eubanks katie@mschristianliving.com
Suzanne Durfey, Ginger Gober, Teresa Howell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Bates, Chris Fields, Dan Hall, Wrinthia Kendrick, Laura Lee Leathers, Linda Waters, Dr. Teena Welborn, Jade Whitehurst
Rachel and Nettie Schulte, Jerri and Sammy Strickland, Rachel and Bob Whatley
Mississippi Christian Living P.O. Box 1819 Madison, MS 39130 601.345.1091
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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 2022 by MS Christian Living, Inc.
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Dr. Cathy Phillippi: Counting blessings and being a blessingTerri and Clint Herring talk about finding success in pro-life advocacy, real estate development — and most importantly, marriage — all by the grace of God. See page 20. Willie McClain (far left) went from being part of the Aryan Brotherhood to being a Christian mentor to African-American boys in downtown Jackson. See page 30. PHOTO BY JOE ELLIS
effort. Send the text. Make the phone call. If you can, save the money and take the trip. You never know how many chances you’ll get.
Another thing my boyfriend and I are about to do is celebrate my four-year anniversary with MCL. Yay! I do think I’ve found more gray hairs at my temples since I took over this business, but hopefully I haven’t aged as much as Barack Obama or George W. Bush after their first terms. In all seriousness, I’m so happy to be able to do this for a living.
Since I started working from home during COVID — and have continued doing so because it suits me — I’ve had to learn some self-discipline.
I’ve had to move my devotional time from first thing in the morning to lunch. If I do it in the morning, I’ll spend time with God — but then spend too much time sitting around doing nothing afterward. I’m less likely to fall into that trap at lunch.
Without putting work above my time with God, I want to make sure I give MCL my best, because I believe it’s my calling, at least right now. So am I going to take it seriously, or not?
My
boyfriend and I recently took a trip to Portland, Oregon. We stayed with friends who let us use their spare bedroom and living room couch, and we packed in as much as possible. A few highlights:
Fall weather in September. That might’ve been worth the airfare.
North Mississippi Avenue, known as one of the “cool” parts of Portland. Just be sure to choose a specific business on said avenue before trying to find it. There are a few different North Mississippi Avenues, none of which are connected. After finally finding the right one, we ate at Samurai Blue Sushi (delicious) and browsed a funky lightbulb store in which the woman at the front desk greeted us, “Hey … I’ve got lightbulbs!” and wouldn’t let us leave without giving us a couple of humorous lightbulb-related drawings.
Powell’s City of Books, which claims to be the world’s largest independent bookstore, in downtown Portland. It’s a multi-story behemoth.
Broder, a restaurant serving “traditional Nordic fare.” The Hood River location (an hour and 15 minutes from Portland) had everything from “Danish pancakes,” hollow pancake balls
into which you can drizzle maple syrup or lingonberry jam, to salmon fishcakes with dill tartar sauce. Also has Portland locations.
Cannon Beach, 90 minutes from Portland but absolutely worth it. Just do a Google Image search. It’s gorgeous.
Fish and chips at Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market in Cannon Beach (also the name of the town). Yummy yum yum.
Hiking at Cape Lookout State Park, an hour and 35 minutes from Portland. Basically you’re walking through a majestic forest, on a hillside (mountainside?), overlooking the ocean. It’s insane. If the 5-mile trek sounds too long, you only need to hike about a mile in to get the view.
There’s plenty more. However, when my boyfriend and I were talking about our favorite parts of the trip, the first thing he mentioned was eating takeout with our friends on their roof the night we arrived.
The food was good (Little Big Burger), would’ve been better if we’d eaten it at the restaurant, but that wasn’t the point. My boyfriend was grateful to spend time with his friends, who’ve been living 2,500 miles away since 2018.
If you have good friends, put forth the
As Willie McClain, the white supremacistturned-Christian-ministry-leader in our feature story (page 30) would say, “Are you real, or not?”
How do you spend your time? In the words of Clint Herring (see cover story on page 20), “We’ve got about a hundred years to plant seeds.” It goes by fast.
The Bible says our lives are but a vapor (James 4:14) that appears one moment and vanishes in the next. What would you do if today were your last day before eternity? I hope I’d start sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
I’m still learning how to do this. And no, I don’t spend every moment telling somebody about the Lord. But I’m becoming more aware (I hope) that my life needs to point more and more to Christ.
And I hope the stories in this magazine do that, too. Enjoy! Y
Katie Eubanks katie@mschristianliving.com At Beacon Rock, another high point (literally) of our trip to Oregon.
summer 1962, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Sherri Chessen, a 30-year- old married mother of four, learned that a medication she had taken for morning sickness had been linked to birth defects. A doctor visit concluded her pregnancy was, indeed, at risk. She and her doctor agreed to an abortion, illegal in every state except to save the mother’s life.
“Miss Sherri” of TV’s “Romper Room” lost her court petition to receive a therapeutic abortion, so she flew to Stockholm, Sweden for the operation. It became a media circus due to her celebrity.
Mrs. Chessen faced an extremely difficult and painful situation. If she kept the child, she would experience great challenges caring for him or her, put four other children in a world where they were responsible for a completely dependent sibling, and affect her standard of living mentally, physically, emotionally and financially.
If she terminated her child, she would have to live with that decision the rest of her life.
As a pro-life proponent, I’ve had innumerable discussions with pro-choice Christians who are adamant in defending their position as more “holistically Christian.” I don’t discard their arguments, simply their conclusions. Honestly, the arguments haven’t changed in the 40 years I’ve engaged them. But abortion isn’t my topic. It’s only the backdrop.
One pro-life position I heard in the late ’80s and didn’t fully grasp then was: “What culture do we create when we tell a generation our quality of life is a sufficient reason to terminate their life?”
I think about that quote when a man kidnaps, rapes and kills a mother running in Memphis; our culture has said one’s life is less important than one’s fun. Or a couple of teenagers kill a New York bodega owner for less than $100; our culture has said a life should not hinder my financial situation.
Kerry Livgren, lead singer for ’70s rock group Kansas, distilled his conclusion of life down to this, after a disillusioned journey into various religions:
“Dust in the wind / All we are is dust in the wind.”
It was their highest-ranked and longestrunning hit — partly, I believe, because it resonated with their generation. That generation’s grandchildren live the fruit of our quality of life vs. life conundrum.
Six years ago, an accident left me quadriplegic: I can do nothing below my neck
I make this personal not from self-pity; I have an amazing support structure. It’s to put a face to my community: adults, children and families who face disabilities every day in a culture that says, “If you infringe on my quality of life, YOUR life is at best inferior to mine, if not useless to society.”
Emory and Chandler discovered their unborn child had a serious brain anomaly. The future of this young couple navigating a new life and marriage on limited income took on a different hue. But the question seemed foreign to them: What do you want to do with your child?
For them, it was not a question of their quality of life, but of Lucy’s life’s value.
Gianna Jessen survived a late-term saline abortion. She has cerebral palsy. Before the House Judiciary Committee in 2015, she asked: “If abortion is about women’s rights, then what were mine? Is my life less valuable due to my cerebral palsy?”
My point? If Lucy and Gianna’s lives are invalidated pre-birth due to their condition, isn’t mine invalidated post-birth? And my entire community’s? How does passing through a birth canal change the principle?
“ The future of this couple navigating a new life and marriage on limited income took on a different hue. But the question seemed foreign to them: What do you want to do with your child? For them, it was not a question of their quality of life, but of Lucy’s life’s value.”
but shrug my shoulders, meaning I dance just like I did BEFORE my accident! I have “no arms or legs.” My wife has a 50-year-old deformed baby. She has to do everything for me. And I mean everything.
So what does my wife do with her reduced quality of life? What about my children? My dad and brothers?
As an old white guy, my position can be invalidated. My pro-choice friends say, “You don’t understand the whole picture.” I’m quite sure I don’t. But I would humbly ask, are you sure you do, either? Your answer could inadvertently invalidate the personhood of many … including me.
Lucy, Gianna and I have changed the quality of life for many. Gianna, who calls her cerebral palsy “a tremendous gift,” is a walking testimony of grace. Lucy and I are extremely loved as we are.
I don’t buy that we are “dust in the wind.”
Rather, I’ll embrace that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”! 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.
Chandler, Lucy and Emory Wall Sherri ChessenChoose Life Mississippi PresidentTerri Herring (right) with MississippiAttorney General Lynn Fitch inWashington D.C. for arguments in Dobbs v.Jackson Women’s Health Organization,the case that ultimately overturned Roe v.Wade and the constitutional right to abortion.
And we’re not done yet. Abortion remains legal in parts of the U.S., and pregnancy centers are a crucial resource for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Support Mississippi pregnancy centers by:
PURCHASING the Choose Life car tag (take your current tag to your local tag office), or,
PLEDGING to purchase the Adoption tag — visit chooselifems.org
What do you think would happen in the lives of our children if every Christian mom acted like the Christian they claim to be? There is a daily challenge for modern moms to make Christian decisions for their children and not be tempted by this secular world. Moms today have an immense challenge to keep their children safe from the exposure they face every day. Whether it is at school, on sports fields, watching television, or listening to music, children are being slammed with Satan’s attacks. Christian moms have a difficult job when it comes to raising children and keeping their minds and hearts safe.
God tells us in Philippians 4:8 to think on things that are true, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Think about it: There is not much positivity and good in this secular world. Also, consider the fruits of the Spirit: love, kindness, joy, patience, self-control, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and peace. We don’t see much of that either, if you haven’t surrounded your family with the right people.
Talk about these scriptures and the attributes of them to guide your children to pockets of the world where they can thrive in God’s way. Expose them to positive, true Christian people, and show them what a biblical Christian looks like at home. It is our job to protect our children, not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally. Satan will try anything to expose our children to his ways. He wants them distracted from the true purpose of their lives.
One way to help is to be in the Word and praying for your children. God will fight our battles, but we must ask. Listen to Him and read His Word. It can be relaxing, peaceful, and full of love for you as a mother.
Also, it is a good idea to place God’s Word where our children spend most of their time. In Deuteronomy it says to have scriptures in our homes, and to talk about them often. In my opinion, this is amazing! If we as moms have scripture accessible to read as we eat together, put the kids to bed, sit on our porches … this could invoke conversation with
our children. How awesome is it when your children question, “What does that mean?”
Deuteronomy 6:6 reads, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts,” and 6:7 reads, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” So modern moms, cover your children with scripture, talk about it, hang it in places they will see it and question it. Create an atmosphere so they will have it on their hearts and will use it when they face secular situations.
Lastly, talking to children over and over doesn’t work, but if they see, hear and experience Christlike actions, those pathways in the brain grow stronger.
Let’s challenge ourselves on a daily basis to act like Jesus, be different from what is happening around us, strive for perfection as Jesus tells us, and demonstrate His love. We are called to be different from this world. We can follow God’s plan for our children and know without a doubt that we WILL be rewarded for it. Be blessed as we work together to raise the next godly generation!Y
Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NIV
Dr. Teena Welborn is a retired educator and author of “Raising Whosoevers to Be the Heart of Our Schools.” Dr. Welborn and her husband of 37 years, Cliff, live in Florence, Mississippi, where they raised their three boys. They are members of First Baptist Florence. She can be contacted at tlmwelborn13@gmail.com.
“ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Pro-Life Mississippi brings awareness to pro-life issues statewide, through community outreach, pro-life speakers, and training events. As the post-Roe landscape changes, we continue to defend the sanctity of life in all its stages.
Since the Dobbs decision, we are on guard against any potential dangers to life that would threaten our residents including abortion, infanticide, and assisted suicide.
To support our statewide ministry, donate at ProLifeMS.org
• Become a Heartbeat Member to stay connected to our ministry.
• Donate to our Benevolence Ministry that provides financial support to families while working alongside MS pregnancy centers.
Asa health and fitness coach, I have the joy of guiding women through their health and fitness journeys by encouraging a godly mindset around the goals they set. Despite that, I began to notice a common thread of struggle that the majority of women had. Most felt awkward or weird taking their goals to God, not because they did not trust in who He is and in His character, but because they struggled with the idea of believing that their goals were a “worthy enough” thing to bring to the feet of Jesus.
You see, as humans we tend to put God in a box without realizing it. We tell God how, when and where He can be God. We fall into this trap of thinking that God only cares about x, y and z, and then the rest, like my fitness goals, are for me to deal with and manage. However, that could not be further from the truth.
God does care about your health and fitness goals, and He does not just care about them, He wants to be Lord over them, too. When we learn to invite Him in, we will see the negative mindset slowly release its grip on us as we flourish in His mercy, grace and love. As a result, you will begin to show up not out of obligation, but out of love for the One who made you.
So let me remind you that caring for ourselves is a way of showing gratitude for who He is and what He did for us on the cross. So yes, He absolutely does care and loves the fact that you desire to be healthy!
Therefore, I want to help equip you with a prayer that you can take to our loving Father as you begin loosening your grip and control on your goals and passing the reins over to Him to help guide you:
Lord, help me to cherish and love the body You gave me. Help me to keep godly goals and break every stronghold that is holding me captive. From the negative mindset to the fear of failure to the tendency to compare myself to others. I pray, God, that You will help me discern my choices and align them to Your truth. Help remind me to live by Your biblical standards and not the world’s.
“ When we learn to invite Him in, we will see the negative mindset slowly release its grip on us as we flourish in His mercy, grace and love. As a result, you will begin to show up not out of obligation, but out of love for the One who made you.”
Most of all, God, I pray that this health journey that I am on honors You and this temple You blessed me with. Remove any self-doubt that clouds my heart and vision, and replace it with Your Holy Spirit power. Teach me to view food not as the enemy but as a beautiful gift from You – a gift that You established for us in the very beginning of time to enjoy. Most importantly, God, teach me to hunger and feast off of Your Word more, so that I can truly experience the fullness of Your goodness. Amen. Y
Jade Whitehurst is a wife, mom, fitness coach and eighth-grade science teacher. You can follow her on Instagram @jadewhitehurst_fit (aka The Faith Fit Mom). 601.956.8636
110 Jones Lane, Suite C Flowood, MS 39232
ProLifeMS.org
Nine years ago, MCL published a story on The McCoy House in Jackson. At the time, it was a relatively new program, founded in 2008 as a sanctuary for women to heal from addiction. Since then the core focus has remained, but the campus and scope of service have grown. MCL columnist Chris Bates recently toured the campus and interviewed founder and CEO Denise Marsters, who was born in Ireland but got sober in Jackson. “God does not pick the equipped, He equips the picked,” she says. “It’s all God’s grace; it isn’t me or any of us individually that make this mission happen.”
Chris Bates: Describe how The McCoy House mission has evolved.
Denise Marsters: Since 2008, over 700 women have gone through the program here, which is phenomenal. Many have integrated into the Jackson area, into the recovery community, and have in turn helped other women. A couple of years after we opened, we got our 501(c)3 designation and began accepting donations of all sorts.
Originally our work was focused on serving women with substance abuse issues. We have evolved significantly into serving those with cooccurring disorders. That means there is substance use, but there may also be eating disorders, process addictions such as spending or gambling, plus other behavioral health issues such as anxiety or depression. Most of our women have a history of some sort of trauma.
We are set up for six beds currently so that we can have a very focused, high level of care. One of our program processes with clients, for example, is a daily check-in called MEPS — where are you mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Jackson is a great community in which to get sober ... There is plenty of recovery and healing room (but) without the huge distractions and stimulation of large metro cities or destination areas.
CB: The campus has grown a lot. What are the newer additions?
DM: We have built a full-sized labyrinth, a
sweat lodge and a vegetable garden. The main house was refurbished and upgraded during COVID, and more recently an art studio was added where our art therapist works with our clients. We have added a yoga teacher and provide equine therapy at a farm in Flora through a partnership with Equine Solutions. There is now a low elements ropes course, and following treatment we provide therapeutic support.
It has all happened through lots of community support. Pinelake Church, Eagle Scouts, HORNE LLP, Southern Farm Bureau
the community such as Repeat Street, Bloomingdeals, Cynthia McCool Auctions, Leapfrog, Private Collection and many others. … The women in the program often work there and grow many needed skills.
CB: Tell us about the big event you have coming up.
DM: Yes! The event is “Country and Blues ROCK for Recovery” on October 20 at Duling Hall (in Jackson). There will be tons of food provided by The Manship, a great silent auction, and the band is Luckenbach, a Willie Nelson tribute band. The event is alcohol-free and it is for the entire recovery community. We’ve worked to keep the ticket price down to $25. Tickets are (available at) TheMcCoyHouse.com, the thrift store, or at Duling Hall the night of the event.
Miracles do happen here in Jackson and throughout Mississippi. We live in the most giving state in the U.S., and McCoy House is a result of that. … We want for this event to celebrate all of those things.
CB: What’s next for McCoy House?
and many others come and do volunteer work, make donations of time, money and more. The outpouring of love, donated time and money are what are making this mission happen.
Also we added Mercy Lodge as an adjacent retreat center connected with the grounds, set up to serve the recovery community in the Jackson area, not just the women at McCoy House. There are even fish in the ponds!
One of the biggest additions has been The Real McCoy store. (The) store is now at 5482 North State Street and has grown due to donations from great people and businesses in
DM: The big dream is to build the chapel on the grounds. Grover Greer is the name inspiration for a garden and the chapel. He was Elvis’ gardener, and then ended up in Jackson and impacted the entire recovery community here. We want it to be a (place) for women in recovery to be able to make spiritual connections as their inner source for strength.
It takes the brain at least 90 days but up to a year to practice new disciplines and behaviors. The spiritual part of recovery is foundational. Y
Chris Bates is CEO and co-founder of AgoraEversole a full-service marketing agency in Jackson, and can be reached at Chris@AgoraEversole.com. He and his wife, Stacy, and their children live in Madison.
David Magee Difference Maker Award Recipient
Judge Carlyn Hicks Difference Maker Award Recipient
Rob McKinley Champion in Recovery Award Recipient
Glen Collins Champion in Recovery Award Recipient
Mart McMullan Champion in Recovery Award Recipient
Bonnie Bridgers Smith Champion in Recovery Award Recipient
is a book that gives us our first introduction to God. Genesis 1:1 is one of the first scriptures we memorize as Christians. The story of creation, the story of Adam and Eve and their fall, are the first Bible stories we are taught as children.
When we think of Genesis being descriptive of God, we think of Him being the Creator of all, and one of the assumptions of God’s character instilled in us is that He made us creators, as we are made in His image, which Genesis also tells us. But reality and actuality denote that it is impossible for humanity to create. The definition of “create” is to bring something into existence, and Genesis tells us that God brought everything into existence and tasked humanity with realizing all that He created.
The attribute of God that He wants us to understand in Genesis is His servitude. God created everything specifically for humanity so we could thrive and reach our potential. Everything He made, He designed with humanity in mind. He used His ability to provide for us and in turn instilled that same heart in us when He created us in His image.
Christ coming to earth to demonstrate how to live for Him, and dying for us to make it possible to live with Him eternally, is the ultimate act of servitude. Christ uses who He is to serve us. The servitude He provides is everlasting, and we benefit from His service 24/7. This is why the Bible implores us over and over to use our gifts and abilities to serve our neighbor with the intent of showing the love of Christ and honoring Him. Jesus even deems this the most important commandment when asked, and it’s a command of service.
Service to our neighbor is the most God-like and Christlike thing we can do, yet we often fall short. Whether it be a lack of understanding or will, or an inability to get over our selfish inhibitions, we fall short, and it’s evident every time we look around. If the world around you is getting worse, that’s all the proof you need. If you see struggle, lack, hate, strife and dissention, that’s all the proof you need. If you are aware of children being born in a world where everything is stacked against them, that’s all the proof you need. We don’t get the option of whom we’re born to or what
situation we’re born into, but we do get the option of leaving a better situation for the next generation.
One way we have an effect on the next generation is our physical, mental and spiritual health. Our tendencies are chemically ingrafted into our genetic makeup and passed on to our children, and if they continue in those ingrafted behaviors, then they pass them to their children and so on. What we consistently do, how we process thoughts, how we respond to imposed physical and mental stress, the love we give, how we treat our bodies, is all a chemical process, and if done consistently for long enough, it becomes a transferrable genetic attribute.
One of the main risk factors of potential disease onset is family history. Almost all known diseases are genetically inclined, and how another person lived their life before you may increase your risk of some type of health issue. Physical health issues are genetically transferred. Mental health issues are genetically transferred, as are spiritual health issues.
As a health professional who specializes in behavior change as it relates to exercise, nutrition, chronic disease management and prevention, I will only touch on my area of expertise. It’s scientifically proven that chronic diseases are genetically passable, along with nutritional habits and exercise habits, so one way to leave a better situation for the next generation is to consistently change how we eat, how we cope with imposed stress, and the consistency of our physical activity and exercise habits. This will help reduce chronic disease incidence in the future.
We are facing a time in history where generations to follow have the highest projected rates of chronic disease incidence this country has ever seen, and we are responsible. Nothing we do ever solely affects us. Our actions always have future implications, and they should be to serve those who come after us, just as Christ serves us. Y
Chris Fields is the founder and executive director of H.E.A.L. Mississippi and a graduate in kinesiology with advance studies in nutrition. He serves as a clinical exercise physiologist/CPT and is credentialed in Exercise Is Medicine through American College of Sports Medicine.
“ We are facing a time in history where generations to follow have the highest projected rates of chronic disease incidence this country has ever seen, and we are responsible. Nothing we do ever solely affects us.”
OnOctober 16, 2018, I became the 1 out of every 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer. With virtually no history of the disease in my family (I was told my maternal greatgrandmother wasn’t close enough in the family line to be considered), I was shaken but not entirely shocked, because I’d had an indication something was wrong in December 2016 when I’d discovered a small, rubbery patch of skin on the outer curve of my left breast.
After my initial discovery, my doctor assured me it was nothing. Two years, three mammograms and two ultrasounds also uncovered nothing but being told that I had “dense” breast tissue; however, in March 2018, my breast shrunk a whole cup size and felt as hard as a rock. Still, the mammogram that was ordered revealed nothing.
Finally, a new doctor took one look at my breast and promptly ordered a biopsy, and a week later, I was told that I had Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, or ILC. I sat in the office chair, willing my eyes to remain dry until I could escape to the safety of my car, and once there, I wept.
And prayed.
And believed that God would allow nothing to touch my life that would not be for His glory and my good. At the prompting of the Holy Spirt, I called Johnnie Nash — a woman whom I knew from church — and upon hearing my news, she admonished me to never utter the words, “I have cancer.”
Instead, she reminded me that I had a “diagnosis of cancer” that would have to yield to the word of God, and that she would be in prayerful agreement with me that I would be healed; in fact, I was already healed — I would just need to walk in it. She literally spoke words of life to me.
On January 29, 2019, a day before my 56th birthday, I underwent a single mastectomy, and in what could only be described as a miracle from heaven, the 20-centimeter tumor that had infiltrated my whole breast and
caused it to retract had not spread the disease to my lymph nodes.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Dr. Jones, my surgeon and a Christian herself.
Despite no spread, my oncologist strongly urged me to take chemotherapy, but I was resistant. Again, the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit confirmed the belief I held in my heart that I did not need to. I told her that while I was not dogmatically against chemo, I just didn’t believe that was the direction that I should go.
As a last option, she prescribed an Oncotype test that, based on the score, would determine whether chemo would be beneficial or not. A score of 25 would be the determining factor. At first, my insurance refused to pay for it, but after a peer-to-peer consultation, the insurance company relented — another miracle! My score of 16 revealed that chemotherapy would, indeed, not be needed, but radiation was strongly suggested, so I went through 25 rounds, with no burns to my skin or other ill effects.
Today, I am thankful for my life and for the scar that is etched on the skin across my heart. I consider myself an overcomer and I share my story for the glory of the Lord, because it is truly because of His tender mercies toward me that I am still here.
“ … I went through fire and through water; But, You brought me out to rich fulfillment.” - Psalm 66:12 Y
A Mississippi girl who relocated to California seven years ago, Wrinthia currently teaches high-school English and is a trivia buff, a “Jeopardy” contestant wannabe, and a jazz lover.
“ After my initial discovery, my doctor assured me it was nothing. Two years, three mammograms and two ultrasounds also uncovered nothing but being told that I had ‘dense’ breast tissue; however, in March 2018, my breast shrunk a whole cup size and felt as hard as a rock.”
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:
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).
… 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)!
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.
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
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.
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Herring’s parents fell in love in Selma, Alabama. Clint’s father was “an awesome attorney” who’d attended law school at The University of Mississippi and served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps, Clint says. The Herrings settled in Jackson, Mississippi.
But when Clint was 6, “(my dad) ended up unfortunately leaving the family, mainly due to alcohol.”
Clint’s mother went into a deep depression. “She was a sweet and caring person that had some mental health challenges in a day when physicians did not know how to deal with (them),” Clint says. “In those days, the treatments (exacerbated) the problem.”
By 10 years old, Clint was living with an aunt and uncle, first in California, then Arizona. “They were awesome people,” Clint says.
At 13, he had a business mowing yards.
At 14, he attended his mother’s funeral in Mississippi. She’d died in a car accident. After seeing his family at the service, he was more motivated than ever to change that family’s trajectory.
At 16, Clint moved out on his own in Arizona. His aunt and uncle’s household “wound up being fragmented as well,” he says.
By that time, he’d met Terri at school in the Phoenix area.
Terri had a more stable upbringing, attended church at Christmas and Easter, and eventually accepted Christ at a Wednesday night church service at 14.
“The problem was, I thought you could never sin again,” she says.
Clint had a similar experience — not a lot of church growing up, but prayed to receive Christ at a Campus Crusade event when he was 10 — and at 18, “I told the Lord … if I could be good at one thing, it was to be a good dad and a good husband,” he says.
That might seem young for such a mature declaration, but it was right around the time he and Terri wed and moved to Starkville to attend Mississippi State.
“His father went (to Mississippi State) and played (football) there. I think football was his first love,” Terri says.
“Without really knowing it, I had an internal sense of calling to come back (to Mississippi),” Clint says.
He and Terri have been successful in
Mississippi — she with pro-life work, including lobbying for the state law that eventually overturned Roe v. Wade, and he through commercial real estate ventures. (Ever hear of a little development in Ridgeland called The Township at Colony Park?)
So Mississippi wound up being a providential choice for the teen newlyweds. But as they moved across the country three months after the wedding, they had no idea how to be good
spouses — or parents. Before the end of the 1,600-mile drive, Terri realized she was pregnant.
Terri worked and attended classes until son Gabriel was born, then “we struggled so I could stay home,” she says. Clint worked, attended classes, and played football. To celebrate Gabriel’s birth, Clint handed out cigars in the MSU locker room.
Clint and Terri have experienced success in commercial real estate and pro-life lobbying respectively – but “we would not be where we are without the church of Jesus Christ,” Terri says. PHOTO BY JOE ELLISOne of their neighbors knew somebody who was building a house. Clint had done some carpentering in Arizona, so he worked on the build so he could buy Terri a camera she wanted for Christmas.
“Then the architect on that house asked if I wanted to build something (myself),” he says. This was one of many doors that opened for Clint to pursue a career as a developer.
The young couple was juggling a lot, and Terri wishes they’d given themselves more grace.
“I don’t think we were very merciful to ourselves and what we had taken on,” she says.
While she admits, “Waiting a few years (to have kids) probably would’ve been healthy,” she has zero regrets. “I think there’s value in starting (young) as a team. It’s a characterbuilding experience.”
Still, the Herrings fought frequently in their early years. “Had we stayed in the West, our marriage would not have survived,” Terri says. “There were solid foundations in the South with marriage.”
More importantly, Clint and Terri went to church. “Our church family became our family,” she says. “That connection to church and God helped us stay together.”
It also helped them in their individual walks with Christ.
“Until we got to Mississippi and got good teaching, it was a struggle (for me) to ever feel worthy,” she says. “The teaching was really key for us. … We were desperate.”
Eventually the Herrings moved to the Jackson area, and Clint got the opportunity to be project manager and developer of the Roses Bluff neighborhood in Madison.
However, “I wasn’t going to be a homebuilder with a cell phone and a pickup truck, because … it interrupts the evenings a lot,” he says. “I immediately gravitated towards commercial real estate. So we were builder, developer, owner, operators of commercial real estate from the very beginning. … I started (Kerioth Corporation) with $20.”
Terri adds, “We didn’t have investors. … He took the profit from building … and made that the investment.”
Clint sums up the next few decades: “I kept doing incomeproducing real estate. Precept by precept, here a little, there a little,” citing Isaiah 28:10.
Now, Kerioth is a diverse investment company with real estate interests, medical interests, wellness and hospitality.
Meanwhile, in the mid-’80s, Terri was raising three sons and volunteering at their church’s children’s ministry when God called her to something different.
After being photographed with her third son for a pro-life campaign, Terri got curious, and her doctor showed her “those horrible pictures” of aborted babies, Terri says. “Once you see it, you can never be the same.”
“Had we stayed in the West, our marriage would not have survived,” Terri says of moving from Arizona to Mississippi. Most importantly, they got involved in church. “Our church family became our family.”
Terri and Clint on their wedding day. Clint was a walk-on at Mississippi State University in 1977 while working to support his new family.
Nineteen Herrings! Back, from left: Whitney, Gabriel, Reeves, Whit, Dana, Warren, Terri, Clint, Julia, Kenneth, Brooks and Harper. Front, from left: Finley, Hudson, Hughes, Eliza, Eleanor, Clint and Isabel.
She was in a worship service when the Holy Spirit called her to pro-life work.
“I said, but what about the children’s ministry … ? And God said, this is the children’s ministry. You’ll be a voice for the voiceless where others don’t want to serve.”
That was 1984. Two years later, Terri successfully lobbied the state Legislature for a law requiring parental consent for minors to obtain abortions. Lobbying came naturally to her — and she saw the importance of it.
“I have been in the Capitol rotunda and have seen the spiritual battle there,” she says. “There is a war over our nation in the heavenlies – a war we have to engage in, at least in prayer. … Clint and I are both passionately involved in politics.”
In her 36 years of lobbying, Mississippi has passed more than 25 laws restricting abortion, and abortions decreased from nearly 8,200 in 1991 to less than half that (3,559) in 2020.
Finally, in June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision declaring abortion a constitutional right. Abortion is now illegal* in Mississippi and a dozen other states, while other states stand at varying levels of access.
The case that overturned Roe stemmed from Mississippi’s 2018 Gestational Age Act, which Terri lobbied for, and which banned abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
“(That type of bill is) not something pro-life people get excited about,” she says. “(But) you
just continue to try to eat the elephant one bite at a time. It wound up being an opportunity.”
She says her “vision of a lifetime was to be instrumental in overturning Roe.” But she knows God is the One who actually did it. When the ruling came down, “the song that was on my heart was ‘How Great Is Our God.’”
And what about Clint?
“I told Terri, I used to think we came to Mississippi because of what the Lord was doing
in me, but I’ve started to realize … (I’ve) gotten more joy out of watching how God has used Terri to do what’s been accomplished in the prolife movement (and supporting her).
“It makes me feel like less, and makes me feel like Terri’s more, which is a good thing.”
Since abortion is still legal to some degree in most states — and since young women still face unplanned pregnancies — Terri and others are still working hard to help mothers choose life.
“We’re working on abstinence education in the schools. And infant mortality,” she says. “In high school, how much can we teach of the biology of the unborn child? We can’t keep doing what we’ve always done, because the stats have been there for years.”
Terri is also president of Choose Life Mississippi, which sells pro-life car tags to support pregnancy centers such as the Cline Center in Jackson, where women can receive free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and pregnancy counseling — all without judgment.
“We want to do two things: 1) Prevent unexpected pregnancy (through education), and 2) when there is pregnancy, do a better job taking care of moms and babies,” Terri says.
That means providing not just diapers, but big-picture support and resources.
“One of my first jobs, when I was pregnant at 18 years old, was at the vet school (at MSU),” Terri says. “They didn’t know I was pregnant. I wondered if they could fire me (if they knew).”
Terri (left) with Scott Stewart, who argued before the Supreme Court for the state of Mississippi, and friend and pro-life supporter Janet Carmichael.
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She eventually read that they couldn’t, but women find themselves in similar or worse situations all the time.
“We want to make sure we make abortion unthinkable,” she says. “(We want to help women) keep their jobs and thrive.”
*Mississippi law provides exceptions for lifeendangering pregnancies and those caused by rape that is reported to law enforcement — including incest with a minor, which is statutory rape.
All three of the Herrings’ sons work for Clint at Kerioth Enterprises. Clint and Terri have 11
grandkids, ranging from ages 2 to 15, and the family is two generations deep at First Presbyterian Day School and Jackson Prep.
“I believe in building family heritage,” Clint says. But he isn’t talking about schools.
In the mid-’80s, Clint was speaking at a church on Old Fannin Road. His dad knew about it, but “we didn’t know my dad was going to be there,” Clint says. During the altar call, “my dad came forward, and I prayed with my dad to receive Christ.”
Before passing away in 2005, Clint’s dad even worked for him at Kerioth for a while, in real estate law and business law. Sometimes family
heritage can go from son to father.
The church Clint prayed at with his dad was one of five or six that he and Terri have helped plant, including Word of Life, their current church.
“It was like Bible school for us,” Terri says, after being raised with sparse church attendance. “If you don’t get (good Christian teaching), you don’t survive the kind of obstacles we have.
“God pursued us, and we pursued God in learning. … We would not be where we are without the church of Jesus Christ.”
Because of that, Clint says he wouldn’t be involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) if it didn’t point people to the local church. He’s supported FCA for 40 years and now serves as chair of the board of trustees for the entire international ministry.
“My FCA affinity came from all my years of athletics, where almost every coach I had was a godly influence on my life. That was particularly important for me since my dad (had) left,” Clint says.
“The first coach I met at Mississippi State was (the late) Bill Buckner,” who went on to head up FCA Mississippi and eventually asked Clint to serve on the state board, Clint says. Clint served on the state board for 10 years, including six as chair, and has served on the international board since 2019. He became chair of that board this year.
He’s done all this while overseeing a multimillion-dollar corporation and being a
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Terri, in red, at the 2018 signing of Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act, the 15-week abortion ban that eventually overturned Roe v. Wade this year.
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husband, father and grandfather. How?
“The first thing I do in the morning is the thing I love the least. To the point where now, I’m almost better at the things I don’t like than the things I do like,” he says.
“I look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘This is what you’re going to do. Do you understand?’”
Over the years, he’s learned that that approach doesn’t work for everyone. When
asked what he would say to his younger self, he replied, “Drive yourself, but learn to be more understanding of and not drive other people the (same way).”
He tells a story:
“A long time ago, there was a painting (Terri) wanted for her birthday, a picture of a woman with spring flowers ... And she was blonde, and she kind of favored Terri. I got the painting, and the Lord says to me, ‘Look at the girl. … If you
don’t be careful, you can crush (Terri) like you (can) crush those flowers.’”
Both Herrings would encourage struggling spouses to persevere.
“A lot of people don’t know our background. The journey has not been easy,” Terri says. At one point early on when their marriage was in trouble, she declared: “I am not going to live the rest of my life this way.” Now, she says, “we’ll be tempted to fight, and we’ll go, no, don’t go there. … With God, there’s hope. Get in church. Get godly counsel.”
Terri sometimes refers to she and Clint’s “stubborn love,” she says. “We’re both very stubborn. That made it hard to be married (to each other), but we weren’t going to leave, either.
“We’re happy we stayed together.”
The word “retirement” isn’t in Clint’s vocabulary — at least not right now.
“I’m 63, and I feel like life’s really just begun. I have more excitement now than ever,” he says. “In the morning it’s like I put my helmet on and snap my chin strap.”
Terri isn’t stopping either: In addition to continuing her pro-life efforts, she’s working on a book (with help from MCL founder Marilyn Tinnin) telling her story and the story of Mississippi’s pro-life movement.
“I am pursuing the book with fear and trembling, because it makes me feel very
The Herrings have lived in their current home in Ridgeland since the mid-’90s. A doorjamb displays the growth of their grandkids.
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vulnerable,” Terri says. “I’m really doing it in obedience to God.”
When asked to name one of the biggest lessons God has taught them together, Clint says, “Consistency counts. … an unrelenting dayto-day walk with God. People try to make life about big, monumental milestones. But I think life is the sum of a lot of really well-done small points.”
Terri names a similar attribute: Persistence.
“Part of the strength of our relationship and our work is persistence. The persistent woman going to the judge (in Jesus’ parable). Whatever your work is, do it one more time,” she says.
“We’re thankful to have persevered.”
“Part of the strength of our relationship and our work is persistence,” Terri says. “We’re thankful to have persevered.”PHOTOS BY JOE ELLIS
McClain doesn’t do fake.
He didn’t do fake in his previous life as part of the Aryan Brotherhood in prison. And he doesn’t do fake now at Partners in the Gospel, the fancy name for he and his wife, Alex, pouring into four young men in their downtown Jackson neighborhood.
Years ago, when a black inmate insulted one of Willie’s white “brothers” in the penitentiary, Willie was ready to fight. When some Aryan Brotherhood members, or ABs, said, “No, we can’t do that,” Willie called them out on it.
Today, when professing Christians use the n-word because they see Willie’s old swastika tattoo — a remnant of who he once was — or when they speak one way and live another, Willie calls them out on it.
Good, bad or ugly, he’s never done anything halfway.
From Aryan Brotherhood to brother in Christ
Willie grew up “really, really poor” in northeast Mississippi, he says. “Most of the (Ku Klux) Klan activity you’ve seen is probably in that area, or in Texas.”
Three or four of his relatives were members of the Klan, he says. The n-word was as common to Willie’s ears as any other phrase.
By the time he heard the story that a black man had raped his great-grandmother (his uncles killed the man), Willie was looking for something or someone to hate. “That’s all the ammunition I needed. (I thought) Oh, I’m going to hate these (people) all my life.”
At the same time, “It’s not necessarily waking up with this vile hatred, a lot of times,” he says, pointing to his heart. “I just preferred to be with my own kind.”
His dream was to be a Hell’s Angel. He’d seen the notorious motorcycle gang on TV, and he’d seen one of his momma’s boyfriends, a member of a biker gang, after the man was shot in the leg.
“That was so cool,” Willie says. “I found my identity in that.”
By 13, he was “starting in a dope gang,” he says. By 15 he was selling
multiple types of drugs. He quit school and worked for his uncle, a diesel mechanic, while growing weed and getting into fights.
At 27, in prison for the first time, he faced a question: Who are you going to ride with?
In the penitentiary, “you’re either part of a gang or you’re open for others to take from (and) abuse,” Willie says.
He had three choices as a white inmate, other than becoming fair game: The Simon City Royals; the Latin Kings, made up of white guys who “rode under” black Vice Lords; or the Aryan Brotherhood, which was “at the top of the food chain,” he says.
“I was Aryan (Brotherhood) from the door.”
He got into a fight within 30 minutes of entering prison, and he wound up fighting about once a month, sometimes a few times a month, for 29 and a half months.
That first prison stint didn’t break him. It just made him more hateful — toward everybody, he says.
But by the time he was released from his third stint in 2011, “I was getting broken … I told Jesus, ‘When I come back (to prison), I’ll give You a chance.’”
He got busted for the final time at his momma’s house in August 2012. “My momma lost her house (because of that),” he says.
In jail, “I was very sick,” he says. Sick to the point of having to crawl around. While he was crawling, “all I could say was, ‘Lord, help me.’”
A couple days later, he asked for a Bible. The next time the “preacher man” came to the prison, Willie beckoned him over and asked, “How do we do this?”
By spring 2013, Willie had accepted Christ and left the Aryan Brotherhood. That second part doesn’t happen easily.
“If you’re getting out, (they want to know) what’re you getting out for? If you get out and circle back around, it’s going to be bad. Or if you just
Willie and Alex McClain (far left and far right) with (from left) Jermaine, Kaleb, Shannon and Brandon, whom the McClains mentor through their ministry, Partners in the Gospel. Below: Willie’s old swastika tattoo and inmate ID are two of the only surviving remnants of his former self. By spring 2013, Willie had given his life to Christ and left the Aryan Brotherhood.say, ‘I’m getting tired of this,’ that’s not going to work out for you,” he says.
“I laid my (AB) flag down because I’d given my life to Christ.”
And they let him go.
On March 31, 2013, Willie put his name on the list to be baptized. The next day he had a work duty outside the prison. Two ABs, no longer his “brothers” but guys he was still friendly with, were in the truck with him.
“Within 15 minutes, I’m high,” he says. He shot up twice. Four hours later, during the work duty, “that’s the first time the Spirit really spoke to me.”
Willie had connections outside the prison walls, “people waiting to hear from me where to bring my dope,” he says. “I’m high, thinking, talking to my buddy … he said, ‘You want some more?’ And I said, ‘Nah, you know what, dude, I’m done.’”
Willie confessed to the “preacher man,” whose real name was Volley Davis, and “it kind of hurt his feelings,” Willie says. But then Bro. Volley asked, “What’re you going to do (now)?”
That was the last time Willie got high.
He became a model prisoner and paroled out in November 2014, just a couple years into his seven-year sentence.
He wanted the transport van to take him to his grandmother’s address, but it was denied. Willie found out “(my family was) scared — not of me, but of what comes with me,” he says.
So the van left him at a halfway house in Jackson. “Within 30 minutes, (the other guys there are) asking if I want to get high,” he says.
Thankfully, he was able to move to the Wingard Home, a Christian outreach to the homeless in Jackson.
Within a week, he found We Will Go Ministries.
Six days a week, Willie worked. On Sundays, he attended Pinelake Church in the morning and We Will Go’s worship service in the afternoon.
WWG was founded by David and Amy Lancaster, suburbanites who felt called to move to downtown Jackson and start a ministry. “Ms. Amy’s real,” Willie says. “She’ll hurt your feelings if you’re not careful, but she’s real.” So Willie started helping with the Sunday services and engaging with the male missionaries at WWG.
Most of the people served by WWG are homeless — and black. What about Willie wanting to be “with his own kind”?
For somebody who used to be part of a white supremacist group, and now ministers to people who share an ethnicity he once thought he’d hate forever, Willie is not preoccupied with race. He doesn’t make speeches about reconciliation or justice. He simply lives it out. He let go of his prejudice in light of the gospel.
“Where I’ve gotten to is, how does Jesus look at people? God created you, and God created me. He created one human race,” he says. “We accept every man and every woman as someone God created.”
He does see the humor in where he landed, though. “God, do you see this tattoo? And you’re putting me in Jackson?” (For the record, he has looked into removing the symbol from his right bicep, but the procedure was going to be too painful.)
A few months after Willie made parole, a woman named Alex Hart moved from Massachusetts to Jackson to be a WWG missionary. She didn’t know what box to put Willie in.
“Willie became kind of a committed (church) member (at WWG),” she says. She wondered if he was homeless. “But I came to understand he was
Clockwise from top left: Willie baptizing Kaleb last summer as Shannon (right) and ministry supporter Ken McKinion look on; Willie and ministry volunteer Brycen Witcher cheered on Kaleb when he won the principal’s award at school; Willie teaching the boys weightlifting; Kaleb and Jermaine cooking with Alex; Brandon showing off his catch on a fishing trip; and Shannon (center) doing the same, with Brycen (left) and Donovan Case. Willie met Alex at We Will Go, a few months after making parole.school senior graduating in May 2023: Share your story of faith and leadership for a chance to receive a scholarship toward college tuition.
trying to get back on his feet.”
By the time they saw each other at the wedding of one of the WWG missionaries a year later, “I had become interested in finding out if I was interested in him,” she says.
Or in Willie’s words, “She started hitting on me.”
They were married less than six months later.
“We have a lot of differences. North, South, different education, I didn’t grow up poor,” Alex says. But they were both called to something.
Most importantly, Willie says, “We were both Jesus-centered.”
Willie started working at We Will Go, and over several years he and Alex developed relationships with four local boys, who now range from 14 to 17: Kaleb, Jermaine, Brandon and Shannon.
“We decided to invest in them (more),” Alex says, “going deep instead of wide.”
“If someone doesn’t intervene, you can check the box where they’ll end up right now,” Willie says. “In (inner-city) Jackson, you grow up in a gang. (Because) ‘Dad used to be this.’”
So now, while Alex teaches art at Richland High School, Willie is full time with Partners in the Gospel, which he and Alex started a little over a year ago. Every day after school, Willie tutors the four boys for a couple hours. On Wednesday nights, the boys come over for dinner. On some weekends, Willie might take them on an excursion like fishing or camping. He teaches them weightlifting. And of course he talks to them about Jesus.
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The goal? “For them to become the men God wants them to be,” Willie says.
“That might not look like graduating high school,” Alex says. “It might look like earning a GED, finding and sticking with a career.”
Last month, Willie finagled a great educational opportunity for Kaleb, the youngest — but Kaleb quit on it after a week. Now Willie knows he needs to approach the mothers first, to see if they’ll agree with him and back him up, before pushing the boys toward a goal, such as learning the trade skills he’d like to teach them. “I did the ultimate missionary thing, (saying) ‘Here’s what you need,’ without asking them first,” he says.
Willie’s goal for the boys he mentors is “for them to become the men God wants them to be,” he says.
So progress comes in fits and starts. One of the older guys might text Willie to apologize for bad behavior. Or Willie will ask one of them to pray on a Wednesday night, and something in their prayer will give him hope.
Willie says Shannon would stay with him 24/7 if he could. “He texts Willie if we haven’t met in a couple days,” Alex adds.
The boys know about Willie’s past. But more importantly, they experience how he cares for them in the present.
Last summer, Willie got to baptize Kaleb. Of course that doesn’t mean Kaleb will never go down the wrong path.
“We’re trying to do everything we can possibly do before they leave us,” Willie says. “So later, if they do bump their head enough, they will return to Jesus. … What I would love to have is for them to become good fathers who want to get good jobs. … Maybe they’ll work a ‘regular’ job. But can they still be godly men? Yes.”
“You know you’re planting seeds,” Alex says. “When you partner with Jesus, you know you’re making a difference.” Y
For more information or to give to Partners in the Gospel, visit PartnersInTheGospel.org.
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Forover 20 years, I called Meridian home. The thought of leaving friends, extended family, my church, and the community where I was deeply rooted was bittersweet. I accepted a new role with my employer as a specialist in our public affairs department. This new position required me to expand my reach and build new relationships on a broader scale.
Accomplishing this goal meant leaving the city I had grown to love and called home. As I got closer to the move date, I had mixed emotions regarding the change. My family and I were active members of our church and the local community. However, just like exercise, with growth comes a little discomfort that leads to rewards.
In 2013, my family and I relocated from Meridian to Jackson, and the feeling of anxiety was quickly replaced with joy. The joy of having the opportunity to cultivate new relationships and form connections meant we would widen our pool of friendships beyond Meridian.
Shortly after settling into the community, I started attending functions in and around the Jackson metro area. One of the first events I attended was a prayer breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion. This would be the first of several Mission Mississippi events I would attend. I was honored to represent my company and pleasantly surprised to witness such a distinguished group of leaders in one room. There were state and local leaders, men and women of different races and backgrounds coming together for a common goal. Praying for racial reconciliation was the priority of the day.
That day is when I gained an understanding of the value Mission Mississippi brings to the community and state. When connecting with individuals, I often utilize the lessons I learned through my participation in Mission Mississippi events, including the willingness to have open conversations about how we can work together to transform our communities.
The Bible speaks of the power of prayer. Christians who believe in the power of prayer devote time to prayer. The Holy Spirit takes care of the rest. Matthew 18:19-20 states, “For
where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”
The goal of Mission Mississippi was truly apparent on that day at the Governor’s Mansion. Prayers for our city, state and country filled the room as deeper connections founded on biblical principles were formed. Philippians 4:6 tells us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
The priority of Mission Mississippi is to improve and reconcile relationships on biblical principles. Living out those principles through love for our brothers and sisters in Christ is a must. John 15:17 says, “These things I command, that you love one another.”
Over the years, I have attended events and participated in virtual meetings hosted by Mission Mississippi. With each opportunity, I have had the pleasure of meeting individuals from different races and backgrounds who desire to improve relationships and make deeper connections for the good of the state.
To that end, and in my opinion, Mission Mississippi is great for Mississippi. Y
Linda Waters is a manager of public affairs with Atmos Energy. She is married to Roger Waters, mother to Nick and Allison, and grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren: Joyia, Karter and Liam. Linda and Roger are members of Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson.
“ When connecting with individuals, I often utilize the lessons I learned through my participation in Mission Mississippi events, including the willingness to have open conversations about how we can work together to transform our communities.”Columnist Linda Waters, right, was a table facilitator for a 2019 Mission Mississippi Summit.
Iwas encouraged and then discouraged within minutes. Have you ever had a similar experience?
Last year at a writer’s conference, I had the opportunity to meet with a publishing representative and make a pitch for a book idea. In our conversation, she wrote on a piece of paper, “This is good and needed.” Then she signed her name, handed me the note, and instructed me to discuss the book idea with the publisher and show him her note.
I did. His reply — It’s not needed
I had a choice: to wallow in the hole of discouragement, or to take the advice of seasoned writers and look at the “rejection as God’s redirection.” I chose the latter.
The truth is, every person needs encouragement as they journey through life. How can you and I become encouragers?
In a sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley entitled “Our Great Encourager,” he says, “The word ‘encourage’ means to come along beside someone, help strengthen, listen, inspire and motivate.”
The Bible is all about encouragement, from Genesis to Revelation.
Depending on the Bible translation you’re reading, the words “encourage” and “comfort” are used interchangeably. They come from the same Greek word, “parakalesis” or “parakelein.”
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
– Romans 15:4, ESV
All scripture is of spiritual benefit (2 Timothy 3:15-17). The Bible teaches us how to live and endure, and encourages us in our journey, whatever life unfolds.
Second Corinthians 1:3-4 calls God “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” And He is the God of all encouragement. He has given us His Word; scripture is where we find hope in Christ, rest in His promises, and find strength in our weaknesses. Do you want encouragement? Go to the Bible first.
Joshua received encouragement from Moses
(Deuteronomy 1:38). Jesus encouraged His disciples (read the gospels). Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” encouraged the church and Paul (Acts 11:1926). The Bible gives us many examples and shows us the importance of building up one another.
When the Word is in us, we encourage others by sharing the Good News. We can encourage others by offering hope, faith, love and wisdom. Remember, God is our greatest encourager.
◼ Encourage with applicable scripture for an individual’s situation
◼ Gift a devotional book or journal
This list is not comprehensive; it gives you a few ideas.
Almost 15 years ago, through my ministry of Tea Time Treasures, subscribers to the newsletter received a weekly email offering a verse of scripture, a Bible passage to read, and a prayer. The goal was to encourage women to stop, enjoy a cup of tea and read “A Cup of Encouragement.”
Today I’ve reconstructed that concept based on the acronym CUP: Counsel your heart with God’s Word, Understand the passage, and Praise and prayer.
Also, I created “Teacups, Mugs, and Friends,” a private Facebook group where women are encouraged to “Dwell in God’s Word and Flourish in His Grace.” (See bio for additional information.)
Pour a cup of tea, read God’s Word, and be encouraged!
Think about the person who encourages you. As Christ followers, we can’t ignore God’s command to encourage fellow believers.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV
How did the early church encourage one another? They were hospitable, demonstrated love and patience, served one another, were kind and tenderhearted, shared material possessions, and prayed for one another.
Today, we can encourage one another through some of the following:
◼ Write a letter or send a card
◼ Call, send a text message or send an email
◼ Pray scripture
◼ Offer sincere compliments
◼ Provide helpful information
◼ Sing songs of encouragement
Over the years, I’ve learned that the most significant source of encouragement I can give is God’s Word. His Word doesn’t return void and has the power to transform lives. He has called me to share His Word through various writing platforms.
I keep that note from the publishing representative above my computer because it brings encouragement. It makes me smile as I remember that meeting; my idea was good — it just wasn’t God’s timing, or with that publisher — and I need to persevere.
Meanwhile, with pen in hand, I am a scribe for Him, writing about the importance of pouring His truth into your soul. I hope you are encouraged today. It’s time for tea; won’t you join me! Y
Laura Lee Leathers loves to touch lives and encourage others through words and biblical hospitali-tea. She is an award-winning freelance writer, encouragement coach and speaker, and a contributing writer for several newspapers, magazines and online publications. Connect with her at LauraLeeLeathers.com or laura.l.leathers@gmail.com, or join her Facebook group, “Teacups, Mugs, and Friends.”
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
~ PSALM 31:24, ESV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ ROMANS 8:38-39, NIV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
~ 1 PETER 5:7, NIV
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
~ LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23, ESV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
~ ROMANS 8:28, NIV
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
~ 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18A, ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ ROMANS 15:13, NIV
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
~ PSALM 27:1, ESV
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
~ 1 JOHN 4:18, NIV
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
~ JOHN 15:13, NIV
I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.
~ MATTHEW 17:20, NLT
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
~ PSALM 107:1, NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
~ JOSHUA 1:9, NIV
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