Special from Pinelake's Community Missions
"Welcome!" proclaims the colorful banner at Mission First, located at the corner of Roseneath and First Street in Jackson's West Park Community. Indeed, all are welcome at this serene center of Christian service, planted nine years ago at the site of the dilapidated, infested Rosedown apartment complex.
How it happened is a typical story of the way God weaves His purposes in discreet stitches until we are presented with a gleaming tapestry woven for His glory. Such is Mission First.
In 1999, the Lord moved a group of believers to prayer walk in what many considered a lost and unredeemable area of the capitol city. Among the dead properties they whispered blessings over were a couple of abandoned apartment buildings - home to desperate and faceless inhabitants of the shadows of life.
Lee Thigpen, the mission's current Executive Director, was one of the prayer walkers.
Soon, the apartment owner contacted the prayer warriors and indicated he was approachable for a sale, John Kelly explained. John, a Pinelake member, is the director of public relations and communications at Mission First.
Surprised, I asked how the owner knew whom to call.
John chuckled and replied the prayer walkers weren't too hard to spot in the neighborhood. Word travels.
And thus the mission to reclaim the dismal neighborhood through a living demonstration of the love of Jesus Christ began. Through prayerful evaluation, the group pinpointed two attainable services the community needed - a safe place for children and access to dental and medical care.
The first missionaries were three-fold: the volunteers who helped gut and renovate the old apartment complex, the donors who lovingly provided the funds for the project, and the believers who claimed God's promise to be there where two or more are gathered in His name.
In 2001, the second wave of missionaries arrived. They were the medical providers who opened doors of healing to the hurting, the frail, and the desperate and the loving teachers who offered the neighborhood children a safe, instructive sanctuary from the streets.
Today Mission First is an independent non-profit organization with six thriving programs staffed by servant believers from diverse backgrounds and congregations - like FBC Jackson, St. Luther's, Calvary Baptist Church, and Pinelake - all with eager clients, grateful for the chance.
Expanded from one afternoon a week to four, and now serving children pre-K to fifth grade, the after-school program is ministering to the needs of working families by making sure the youngest generation is nurtured and inspired toward living a Christ-filled life.
The Medical and Dental clinic attended to over 700 medical and dental calls last year, virtually free of charge to the patients, John reported.
In addition to these two initial services, Mission First has added four others. There is now a legal aid office with pro bono lawyer services offered in partnership with the Mississippi College School of Law, a comprehensive wellness program designed to combat the prevalent diseases of the community - diabetes and hypertension - through nutrition counseling and workout opportunities, a community development program devoted to enhancing the neighborhood environment, and a new sports and adolescents program.
John's smile broadened when he described the ministry of Coach Willis Bridges' sports and adolescents program. "He teaches these young men and women things that they are not learning at home. For many he is a father figure. He mentors and even teaches the young boys how to tie a tie. He simply journeys with them through life."
Each of these programs needs volunteers to thrive. And, John insisted that anyone can find a place to serve at Mission First.
"We can basically tailor the service opportunities to whatever a volunteer is led to do," John said. He encourages every person with a heart for inner-city service and a desire to demonstrate the love of Jesus through service to contact him. Here's his phone number: (601) 608.0043.
Volunteering at Mission First will enable a person to "join in an effort that is ongoing and bringing about transformation that is God-sized, truly in every way." John said.
On a recent Wednesday evening people were arriving, mostly in couples, for Bible Study. Among the pristine and sharply clean lines of two renovated apartment buildings and a gleaming state-of-the-art gymnasium nestled sweetly on a green, trimmed lawn interspersed with flowery plantings, strode a young man with a purpose.
His name is Devonte Jones, "age 10 going on 11" and he was taking his mama a canned drink out to where she sat in a truck in the parking lot.
Devonte also mentioned how he liked Mission First because it provides opportunities for playing basketball and "sharing the environment with other people, like my friend TJ and his brother Eric."
"Some of the kids come and learn about Jesus and how He has shared his love with us," Devonte said, clearly pleased with the ministry.
Mission First was "born out of a group of people praying together," John says. That group of prayer walkers followed the Lord's leading and created a nurturing, healing place where believers can demonstrate what it means to follow Jesus Christ.
If you're looking for a place to demonstrate your faith, call John. He's waiting to hear from you.
Mission First Community Ministry Center - 2008
Rosedown Apartments - 1999
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