RISE Trainings equip churches for multifaceted ministries and Gospel partnership

By Lindsey Carraway
Writing Specialist

On May 11, the first of many RISE Trainings took place at First Baptist Church, Lake, a centralized location for Mississippi Baptist churches of Scott County and Newton County. Participants enjoyed fellowship and a home-cooked meal by the church. 

Timothy “Bobo” Phillipson, Associational Missions Strategist for the Scott County Baptist Association, opened the evening with gratitude. “I’m thankful for our churches participating and I’m thankful for First Lake, for Bro. Jess Dilley (Pastor of First Lake), and his team and church family. They are always willing to help serve our county in so many ways, not just tonight.”

RISE Training is a customizable ministry training experience designed to strengthen churches and leaders for effective, Gospel-centered impact. It focuses on:

  • Reaching communities by mobilizing believers to share Christ’s love, 
  • Investing in intentional relationships, discipleship, and the development of next-generation leaders, 
  • Serving with compassion and Gospel purpose, and 
  • Equipping churches with practical tools and resources for faithful, sustainable ministry.

The event was halved into two sessions with multiple breakout options. Directors and Consultants of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board led breakouts for church leaders and laymen in numerous facets of ministry, including children’s discipleship, leadership development, church revitalization, effective outreach, men’s and women’s ministries, multicultural missions, and more. 

Participants interact during a breakout session at the RISE Training on May 11 at First Baptist Church, Lake. (Photo credit: Bart Lambright)

“It’s always great to gather with other churches in our county and learn important ministry strategies and mindsets,” said participant, Laurie Boles. “My first breakout demonstrated how to greet first-time guests at our church in a way that is Christlike and sincere, and I was very encouraged by it.”

Jim and Jennifer Savell joined the event from “just right down the road” and were pleased with the organized structure of the training and the opportunity to learn fresh ideas alongside other churches.

“Churches really need to get together,” said Jim. “As opposed to having a competitive spirit, the Church of the living God needs to be coming together, rather than competing with each other. Competition is the polar opposite of togetherness. I’m excited to gain these new tools and carry them on to someone else.”

Subsequent RISE Trainings will occur across the state starting in early August to the end of September. 

Golden Triangle: August 4 (Register by July 28)

Neshoba: August 10 (Register by August 3)

Union County & Pontotoc: August 11 (Register by August 4)

North Central, Panola, Carroll-Montgomery, and Yalobusha: August 13 (Register by August 6)

Pine Belt, Perry, and Lamar: August 17 (Register by 10)

George-Greene and Jackson: August 18 (Register by 11)

Lincoln, Pike, and Franklin: September 22 (Register by September 15)

For registration and more information on times and locations, click the link to the MBCB Events Page to find the RISE Training closest to you: https://mbcb.org/events/