It may only be October, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Commons as our Operation Christmas Child ministry kicks off their month long, church-wide shoebox packing for families and individuals! Sheri Baker, an OCC volunteer, shares that our OCC ladies hope to have five thousand boxes ready to send out all over the world because for every box, there is a child at the other end. While OCC boxes provide enjoyment and fun for the children receiving them, there is eternal benefit as children are able to hear and experience the gospel. Sheri reminds us that we are all called to share Christ with others, and packing or sponsoring boxes allows us all to play a part in providing a way for so many children to meet Jesus - possibly for the first time! Be sure to grab a box starting this Sunday!

Growing, serving, and connecting at Morrison Heights, Megan Collins is now officially working here as our new Student Ministry Intern. Having been a part of our Student Ministry for a number of years and experiencing personally the pivotal role it played in her walk with the Lord, she is eager to come alongside students to invest in their lives. Currently a junior at Mississippi College, she is a Christian studies major with a big heart for ministry and, in fact, just spent her summer with GenSend in Boston. Of course, she also enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in campus activities, and keeping dorm life running as the resident assistant. Through it all, Megan is learning to rely even more on God and to trust His plan for her life because she knows it will be better than she can imagine.

An integral part of each ministry area within the church are those who offer support as assistants or associates. Brian and Grace Hanna, are not only newlyweds, but they are also new to our staff. Brian serves as an Associate in Media, and Grace serves as the College Ministry Assistant. Both are enthusiastically involved and making invaluable contributions to their ministry areas which are incredibly busy this time of year as they focus on Christmas preparations and welcoming back college students. While ministry may be busy, these high school sweethearts are still making time to plug into a Life Group, participate in a Bible reading group, host a missional community in their home, and for Grace, serve on our women’s ministry team. We are so thankful for this couple, and you don’t want to miss out on getting to know them!

Students in our Student Ministry enjoyed a summer filled with Bible study, Super Summer, and summer camp, but they are not slowing down just yet! The school year recently kicked off with a great turnout of students as well as some outreach tailgates at the local schools to begin building more relationships. If that’s not enough, Chris Cunningham, our Student Minister, along with other leaders will be taking our biggest group ever with one hundred eleven students (you read that right - one hundred eleven!) on Fall Retreat this weekend! We are looking forward to hearing how God works in their lives during their time together and are excited about the days ahead!

It is always exciting when we get to celebrate with a church member when God is using them to bless others. As a potter, Makayla Sherman desires to point people to Christ and to help them see their value by using her artistic gifts to not only teach others the art of pottery, but to also help them see their need to know the Lord. She understands how harsh the world can be at times and hopes her new studio will be a place where people can simply enjoy being themselves and take some time to escape the burdens they carry. Be sure to stop by and say hello to Makayla when she opens in Old Towne in October!

This week we caught up with Dr. Beth Masters who not only leads the chaplain ministry at Mississippi Department of Corrections but also leads the NOBTS seminary program at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. We talked about the classes she teaches, the church leaders she's training, the challenges of her work, and her undisputed pastry-baking excellence.

Our College Ministry is kicking into high gear as they prepare to welcome and minister to hundreds of new and returning students at Morrison Heights. Another special way the College Ministry reaches out is through their residency program which works to train, prepare, and support newly graduated college students planning to serve in ministry. Caila Hankins, one of our three newest residents, shares how she will be serving this fall, her long term plans to serve on the mission field, and a reminder to find ways to show acts of love.

141. Elected Elder, Excellently Equipped

Every life is a gift. Every life is valuable. Every life is created in the image of God. It is these truths that Erin Kate Goode, Executive Director, CPC Metro works tirelessly to speak into the lives of women facing unwanted pregnancies. By ministering to women through counseling as well as providing numerous support resources, the CPC is able to help both mom and child thrive. As a culture of life is continuing to be built in our community and state, it is all the more important to remember Galatians 6:9, also the CPC’s theme verse this year, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

God puts opportunities in front of each one of us on a daily basis to show the love of Christ to others in numerous ways. One very special way that our church is showing that love is through the ministry of Embrace Grace - a non-profit organization dedicated to coming alongside moms who have experienced an unplanned pregnancy or walked through an abortion. Bennette Ash shares how she and other ladies within our church family are loving on these moms through building relationships, discipling them, and most importantly, helping them see who they are in Christ so that they might experience His love, forgiveness, and acceptance. No life is a mistake, and it is no mistake these moms are a part of our church. Let us love them well!