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Prayer Garden Dedicated at Mississippi College


Mississippi College leaders warmly embraced the university’s new prayer garden at dedication ceremonies amid a cold snap impacting much of the nation.

Brisk winds combined with plunging temperatures in the low 40s led MC officials to shorten the speeches at dedication ceremonies on November 13.

Featuring fountains, additional lighting, beautiful flowers, new sidewalks and seating, the prayer garden outside Alumni Hall gives the Mississippi College community and visitors an attractive setting to draw nearer to the Lord.

Located a short distance from Provine Chapel, the 35’ by 35’ garden serves as a wonderful complement to Samuel Gore’s inspirational sculptures of Jesus Christ, President Lee Royce told guests at Thursday’s program.

Pastor David Eldridge of First Baptist Church Clinton believes the setting will be an inviting place for MC students to pray for direction. It also will become a good spot for parents to pray for students at the Baptist-affiliated university.

Wayne VanHorn, dean of the MC School of Christian Studies and the Arts, led a responsive reading of passages from the Bible that illustrate the immense power of prayer.

Construction of Mississippi College’s prayer garden in recent months was made possible by an anonymous gift to the Christian university from a couple that grew up in Clinton.

MC Student Government Association President Chip Wilson of Memphis says the prayer garden offers a convenient spot for students to step away from academic stresses and reconnect with God.

“I think a little more serenity is always nice,” says Mississippi College senior Alex Hendry of Ellisville. “It’s a place to hear God’s voice,” adds the leader of Christian Development for the Student Government Association.

MC students can utilize other more structured opportunities to pray at weekly chapel programs at First Baptist Church Clinton, at Baptist Student Union activities, over meals at the cafeteria, at club meetings and when attending churches around metro Jackson.

The theme of the Mississippi College prayer garden is based on a Bible verse, “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” The verse comes from 2nd Chronicles 6:40.