Mississippi News January 16, 2025
Obituaries
- Carl Morris, longtime pastor in Arkansas and Mississippi, died Dec. 8. He was 84.
- James A. Sadler Jr., pastor of churches in Mississippi and Alabama, died Dec. 11. He was 87.
- John Lewis Gainer, former pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Columbus, for 17 years, died Dec. 13. He was 76.
- Joe Amos Thompson, longtime pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Blytheville, Arkansas, and a supply and revival pastor in Mississippi, died Dec. 31. He was 93.
Staff changes
- Hunter Wooldridge is the new pastor of West McComb Baptist Church, Pike County Baptist Association.
- Shane Atkins is the new pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Lamar Baptist Association.
Events
- The Dixie Echoes with 2ndMile, Jan. 24, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6), Northcrest Baptist Church, Meridian.
- Night of Quartets, Jan. 25, 6 p.m., Clear Branch Baptist Church, Wesson, Lincoln County Baptist Association.
- Small Church Youth Ministry Workshops taught by Gary Permenter: Waynesboro, Feb. 6, Liberty Baptist Church; mbcb.org/event/small-church-youth-ministry-workshop-waynesboro; Forest, Feb. 27, Forest Baptist Church; mbcb.org/event/small-church-youth-ministry-workshop-forest. Events are free and are from 6 to 8:15 p.m.; free meal for those who pre-register.
- Next Gen Summit, Feb, 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Crossgates Baptist Church, Brandon; mbcb.org/event/next-gen-summit.
- Mississippi Worship & Media Conference, Feb. 27, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., First Baptist Church Brookhaven; mbcb.org/event/mississippi-worship-media-conference.
- BetterMan Mississippi Conference, March 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Jackson Convention Center; bettermanms.com.
- Senior Adult Leadership Training for ministers, volunteer leaders or teams, March 3, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Garaywa Camp & Conference Center, Clinton; deadline to register: Feb. 24; cost: $20; mbcb.org/event/senior-adult-
leadership-training.
EDITOR’S NOTE — These items were published in the Jan. 16, 2025, issue of The Baptist Paper. Email news@thebaptistpaper.org to submit announcements and other news items.
MS church destroyed by tornado Dec. 28
On Dec. 28, a line of severe storms tore through the Southeast, producing multiple long-track tornadoes in parts of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. More than 20 tornadoes were reported across five states. One of the tornadoes struck O’Zion Baptist Church in Meadville, Mississippi.
The church was destroyed. The steeple was thrown to the other side of a stand of trees. Despite the destruction, the storm left a story of providential survival.
Rick Strawbridge, a deacon at the church, and his wife, Diane, live in a manufactured home nearby but chose to shelter and pray at the church. The couple survived the storm in one of the restrooms. Pastor Lance Moak said the church plans to rebuild. (Mississippi’s Baptist Record)
