By Shawn Parker
Executive Director-Treasurer
Miss. Baptist Convention Board
As we roll into the fall, schools have begun, the hurricane season has reared its ugly head, and churches are still trying to find balance in dealing with COVID. I’m glad to share that the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board is on the job in each of these spheres to make a difference by sharing the Gospel.
First, as our colleges and universities across the state ramp up for the fall, we have Baptist Student Union (BSU) directors on most of Mississippi’s college and university campuses meeting students and developing strategies for making disciples.
I suspect most would agree that our college and university campuses are critical venues for Christian ministry these days. So many of our kids move into a college or university setting and are exposed to spiritual influences that are focused on undermining faith. Our BSU leaders are there to provide a spiritual safety net for these students, and to challenge them to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Secondly, Mississippi has felt the ravages of tornadoes and hurricanes in the last month from the northern border to the southern line. Thankfully, we have Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief teams scattered across two states who are ready and willing to minister in these crisis moments. We’ve had feeding units in New Orleans and chain saw crews throughout Mississippi helping people make it through the moment to a brighter day.
In the midst of these ministries, the Gospel is shared and the Holy Spirit is at work to bring people to faith in Christ.
Finally, COVID continues to impact Mississippi with increased infections and deaths. While most of our churches have persisted in ministry while exercising due caution, the ability to maintain balance is a challenge.
Our team at the Baptist Building meets with churches and talks with leaders daily to offer support on how best to do the work in the midst of the obstacles we’re facing. While no one has all the answers for the pandemic mayhem, we are available and willing to help in any way we can.
These are some ways your Mississippi Baptist Convention Board team is making a difference. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that all of this is made possible by the cooperative efforts of our Mississippi Baptist churches. In addition to the Cooperative Program, a significant portion of the work I’ve mentioned in this article is the direct result of the Margaret Lackey Offering for State Missions.
I appreciate your faithfulness to give on both fronts and want you to know that God is using your generosity to make an eternal difference!
Opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, The Baptist Record, nor the publication’s Advisory Committee. The author may be reached at simpletruth@mbcb.org.
Editor’s note: Donations to Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief can be made online at https://www.mbcb.org/giving/. Select “Give as an Individual” and designate the gift to Disaster Relief.
Check donations are also accepted. Make the check payable to the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, designate Disaster Relief on the memo line, and mail to MBCB, P.O. Box 530, Jackson, MS 39205-0530.
All financial donations given through MBDR go directly to support relief/recovery efforts in partnership with local Baptist churches and associations in affected areas. In-kind donations such as clothing cannot be accepted as MBDR is not set up to receive and distribute those items.
