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Mission Mississippi Prayer Luncheon Hears From MC Students


Mississippi College students shared their views on race relations as part of a video airing at a Mission Mississippi Mayors' Prayer luncheon.

MC students Josh McCormick of Etta, Chad Carmichael of Shubuta and Jessica Gibbens of Westover, Ala. were seen on big screens Friday as hundreds looked on at the new Jackson Convention Complex.

The trio of MC undergraduates joined in for some interesting exchanges on the subject with students from Tougaloo College, Belhaven College and Jackson State University.

"Changing Mississippi One Relationship at a Time" is the slogan of Jackson-based Mission Mississippi that seeks to bring state residents together across racial and denominational lines. It's goal seeks to promote unity "so that communities across Mississippi can better understand the Gospel message."

There were other MC connections. The Mississippi Mayors' Prayer Luncheon is co-chaired by MC President Lee Royce and Tougaloo President Beverly Hogan. Royce welcomed the visitors including dozens of mayors from across the Magnolia State.

Hogan introduced keynote speaker Dr. Robert M. Franklin, the 10th president of Morehouse College and an alumnus of the historically black school in Atlanta where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in political science and religion. He's authored three books, including one on black churches in America.

After the event, Jackson mayoral candidates from Marshand Crisler to Robert Johnson were working the crowd with primary elections Tuesday. An energized Pinelake Worship Choir supplied the entertainment with its lineup of gospel selections.

MC Vice President for Christian Development Eric Pratt, and Brian Anderson, chairman of the MC Department of Social Work, were among those serving on the committee to plan the event in downtown Jackson. Every spring, is one of the key annual events of 16-year-old Mission Mississippi.

During the program, speakers sounded prayers for businesses, mayors, schools, healthcare providers and others facing challenges due to the nation's economic crisis.

Mission Mississippi is led by Neddie R. Winters of Jackson, the group's president.

PHOTO: Morehouse College President Robert M. Franklin