Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Discern weekend in MS spotlights calling out those called to ministry

  • February 18, 2023
  • Mississippi's The Baptist Record
  • Church Life, Latest News, Mississippi
(Photo courtesy of the Baptist Record)

Discern weekend in MS spotlights calling out those called to ministry

Discern, a weekend retreat for high school and college students who believe they are sensing a call to the gospel ministry, was recently held at Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton, Mississippi.

 More than 50 students attended this year’s retreat, “which walked them through what it means to be ‘called,'” said Ken Hall, student ministry consultant for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. This was accomplished, he noted, through Bible study, worship, breakout groups and hearing from various ministry leaders.

‘Think about issues’

“Discern is a great chance for a student to think about all issues concerning a call to ministry,” said Andy Mullins, discipleship pastor for McLaurin Heights Baptist Church, Pearl, who serves on the Discern planning team.

“Students get the chance to hear from ministers about issues ranging from education to integrity, and spiritual health to daily schedule,” he said of the Jan. 6–7 event. “They leave encouraged and equipped to see if God is calling them to ministry.”

He added, “It has grown every year in its [four years of] programming and reach. It has been exciting to see how God is speaking to high school and college students around the state.”

Brandy Johnson, minister of education at First Baptist Church Clinton, noted the Discern weekend also “provided a great opportunity for young people to carve out time to hear clearly from the Lord and a variety of people who are currently serving in full-time ministry settings.”

“Broadening the scope of ministry-related paths this year proved to be a valuable part of the weekend,” she said. Team members included a missionary to an unreached people group, a Baptist student ministry director, a church planter, traditional ministerial roles, women in ministry and a college professor at a Christian university, among others.

“The beauty of the event was found in the truth that the Kingdom of God cannot be put in a box,” Johnson said.

“We serve an incredibly creative God who uses His people in a variety of ways to accomplish His purposes,” she said. “When the Lord calls, you respond with a resounding ‘yes’ and let Him work out the details.”

Clarity

 Andrew Irwin, minister to students at First Baptist Church Laurel, asserted, “We want those who have accepted the call to ministry and those who are wrestling with that call to be able to be poured into at this retreat.

“Our hope is that … the Holy Spirit would bring more clarity to [those who] attend,” he said. “To me this is one of the best ways we can train up the next generation of Mississippi Baptist ministers.”


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Tony Martin and originally published by the Baptist Record.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria
    Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Texas flooding update: Baptist relief teams, churches continue to ‘walk alongside’ hurting
    Texas flooding update: Baptist relief teams, churches continue to ‘walk alongside’ hurting
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20

Here’s the Bible Studies for Life Sunday School lesson commentary for July 20, written by Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi.

Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Kaduna state, Nigeria, July 7, killing two Christians and wounding three others, after terrorizing villagers in another area in June, International-Morning Star News reported.

Texas flooding update: Baptist relief teams, churches continue to ‘walk alongside’ hurting

Baptist relief teams hit the ground running Monday (July 14) after a rough weekend of  heavy rains and flash flood warnings in Central Texas that

Bellevue Baptist calls Lifeway CEO Ben Mandrell as 8th pastor

“I cannot tell you how thankful we are for this moment,” Ben Mandrell said. “This big hurricane of Bellevue love has just swallowed us up.”

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel