College & One Night

Just going to take a second and let everyone know what we’ve been up to and how everything is turning out.  First of all, the 48 Hours Homeless was an incredible experience.  The guys that went really had the opportunity to feel some of the needs, blessings, and emotions that homeless really feel everyday.  We all left the weekend with a better understanding of what it means to have someone visit you on the street and to help you with food, clothes, showers, and spiritual guidance.  We came back with a renewed appreciation for the things that God has blessed us with and a more urgent desire to help those in need.

We also had the college guys and girls nights this past friday on May 9th and both went really well.  I had the chance to see 3 playstation 3’s hooked up to three different flat panel televisions and was also pummeled in dodgeball and basketball.  The ladies had a great time as they made tied dyed t-shirts and had a messy bible study.  The girls also had some really good snacks and I have to give props to whoever made the chocolate covered pretzels, they were great.  

We hope to soon have pics of our Wednesday night bible studies and events like the guy’s and girl’s nights as well as One Night pics and videos, so be checking back in for more college news, events, and ministry opportunities.

The One Night staff had planned on taking the months of June and July off and using that time as a chance to plan and discuss ways to improve following One Nights; throughout the past year, we have had many groups from other churches attend One Night at Southside, and several of those really wish for us to take One Night to their areas and give their people a chance to experience this type of service. So we have prayerfully decided to take One Night on the road and currently have two definite locations and a few other prospects. One will be in Wiggins, MS. The other will be in Rollingfork, MS. This will be a great chance for us to present the gospel through worship and dramas, and we’d love for you to be praying for us as we journey through the state and if you wish to attend just email me and I’ll give more details. We are also currently considering having an outdoor One Night at Winner Circle Park in Flowood, MS, sometime this summer. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone this upcoming One Night on May 11th. Since this is the last One Night at Southside before the summer break we are trying to make it a huge event to go out on.

On May 2-4, the college guys will be setting out on an experience that we believe will change our lives. We will meet on Friday at the church. We’ll turn in our wallets, keys, cell phones, clothes, and shoes; then we will change into clothes that we get out of the church clothing closet. We will leave on foot and will come back to church Sunday as homeless. We will hold signs to get money and can spend whatever we make on food. We will probably end up sleeping under bridges so this isn’t for the faint of heart. This experience is not only a chance for us to better understand the needs of the homeless in our area but a chance for us to bring awareness to homelessness to the people in our own lives. We’re praying that God will use this experience to spur us into a deeper journey into missions and making a difference in the lives around us. If interested, youcan respond here or email me at ledgerparker@ssbaptistchurch.com.

I am Ledger Parker.  I’m serving as the College Minister at Southside.  I love working here because this church provides every opportunity to minister to “the least of these” that Jesus cared so much for.  My prayer is that the college ministry will lead a revolution in the city of Jackson.  This blog will be used to promote the missions that we are involved in and to celebrate what God does through those missions.  I’m look forward to speaking more with you.