Encouraged!

Tony Woodall and I just returned from the Jackson Association of Ministers (JAMA) meeting feeling pumped about what Ted Leach - Senior Minister of First Methodist and JAMA President - described as "the Holy Spirit moving in Jackson."

Forty pastors gathered today at Mother Liberty C.M.E. Church downtown and heard a presentation from Dr. Vicki Lott (V.P. at Lane College) on the structure of dialogue needed to needed to foster an environment of racial reconciliation in Jackson. The most beautiful thing about the gathering wasn't just Dr. Lott's presentation which was excellent but the suggestion that the JAMA ministers gather for an overnight retreat together and pray through a response to the issue of race. WOW!!!!! I very nearly cried! Yes, there's a "task force" for discerning and outlining the issues but to suggest that we retreat and PRAY as ONE!!! I could only cry out in my spirit, "Yes Lord!!! Yes Lord!!!"

Jackson is blessed to have ministers like Ted Leach, Craig Christina (First Baptist), and Willie Miles (Sign of the Dove) and many others who are expressing a profound willingness to serve humbly. As they model surrenderedness to the Lord they are leading the rest of us toward visible and practical unity as a city-wide fellowship of Christians. Please keep these leaders in your prayers!

I don't know what will come next, but the Spirit of unity is moving across all fronts in Jackson. Who knows? Perhaps the revival in Jackson will become a model for the rest of the country as ministers from very different backgrounds and traditions come together for Kingdom Work!

P.S. Promise Church will be the host for the NEXT JAMA meeting the second Thursday in June - June 12th at 11:45am. See our website - www.promisechurch.info - for directions.