A Closer Walk, by Mississippi Christian Living

Jackson Leadership Foundation partners with Christian ministry leaders in Jackson who do everything from mentoring youth to loving on grieving mothers. The women on staff at JLF are all part of that, and they sat down with Katie to discuss their ministries, their callings, and why they're compelled to serve our capital city.

Debi has endured cancer, divorces, loved ones in car wrecks, and other trials. But as a 28-year leukemia survivor who was initially given 5 years to live, she has the perspective that "God has a plan, and His plan is good." She has the receipts to prove it. 

Katie recently sat down with three financial professionals to talk about money, stewardship, and how their Christian faith impacts their jobs and their personal finances. Randy Ginn is founder of Mascagni Wealth Management in Clinton and a Certified Financial Planner; Chris McAlpin is Chief Experience Officer at Sound Financial Strategies Group in Flowood and a financial advisor; and Ashley Sullivan is Senior Manager at BMSS Advisors and CPAs in Ridgeland and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 

In today's world, anything more than 3 kids is seen as ambitious - or even irresponsible, depending on whom you ask. Tim and Jenn share their story of why they chose to have a large family, how it has stretched them, and why "it's not Sunday school's job to make our kids believers."

Dr. Farrah Newman grew up in a single-parent household in Columbus, Mississippi. Now an ophthalmologist at EyeCare Professionals, she sees her life through eyes of faith, from the small country church where she got saved to Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya, where she and her husband served for 2 years (bringing all 4 of their kiddos along). Hear her journey of finding the Father's love, taking leaps of faith, and finding time with God wherever she is.

Ben Derrick knew he'd work in a church one day, and he did just that, becoming lead pastor of a local church that became a second home for his family. Then God called him to step away from pastoring and enter the mental health field. The past two years have tested Ben and Cammie's marriage more than all the previous years combined, but they believe their obedience to God's will is worth it, and they're grateful for the solid foundation they built for their marriage long ago. 

Rick Gage is bringing his Go Tell America crusade to the Brandon Amphitheater on October 15-18, and MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn interviewed 6 people who are helping make the crusade happen. They discuss who should come, whom to invite, and why crusades are an important way to reach non-Christians who aren't ready to attend a Sunday worship service. 

Interviewees: Percy Thornton, Art Jones, Dr. Meredith Travelstead, Ryan Wade, Carolyn Boteler, Joy Bradford. 

On August 1, two Mississippi couples - Catherine and Taylor Sledge of Ridgeland, and Erin and Ben Napier of HGTV's Laurel-based "Home Town" series - launched Osprey, a nonprofit movement for parents who want to keep their kids free from social media through high school. Catherine and Taylor sat down with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn to talk about why they co-founded Osprey (which stands for Old School Parents Raising Engaged Youth) and why they want their kids to have social lives without social media.

Seven heads of metro Jackson independent schools recently spoke with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn about their institutions, the impact of a Christian education, and more. 

Robert and Susan Green and Bridgett and Johnny Clayton recently spoke with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn about their stories and what God has taught them in marriage. Robert and Susan are pastor and children’s minister respectively at Fondren Church in Jackson and have been married 27 years. Bridgett is an attorney, and Johnny is a senior respiratory therapist at Merit Health – they have been married 40 years.