By Don Hicks
Associational Missions Strategist
If you were listening as you drove down Highway 15 through Bay Springs on Sunday afternoon, July 14, you might have heard these words being sung by the crowd of folks in front of the Jasper Baptist Building: “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.” Leaders from Jasper Baptist Churches were gathered to pray and dedicate the new 50 foot cross.
This singing was lead by “The Guys,” a men’s gospel ensemble from Antioch Church. The rally began with an honor guard from the Mississippi Army Guard raising the American flag to its proper place under the cross. Madalyn Stringer from Lake Como Church sang the National Anthem.
Hicks introduced Congressman Michael Guest who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. After the pledge, Guest shared with those present “What the Cross Means to Me.” The rally closed with a “Prayer of Dedication” led by Kevin Blakeney, the project manager for designing and constructing the cross.
