A Closer Walk, by Mississippi Christian Living

For this year's Marriage Issue of MCL, Katie interviewed two couples about how God has grown them through their marriages - and what advice they would offer newlyweds.Jason and Carrie Cook work at Park Place Christian Academy in Pearl, where Jason is head football coach and director of development, and Carrie is head of Crusader Care, the after-school and summer camp program. They have four kids and attend Park Place Baptist Church.James and Natasha King are entrepreneurs and authors who provide wellness products through Partner.Co. Their son, TJ, is 11. They attend Holy Ghost Baptist Church in Clinton.

MCL Editor Katie Ginn sat down with Bobby Dye of Dye Resource Management, Gus Brand of Community Wealth Management, and Vinicius "V" Hiratuka of Elevated Retirement to discuss why they do what they do and what they've learned over the years - whether from their clients, their experiences, or their own financial mistakes. Tune in for lots of firsthand wisdom!

When Christy and Jameson Haygood married in 2012, Christy was training in gynecologic oncology. Jameson, then a pharmaceutical sales rep, was excited to see if he could match her income. Today, things are different: Jameson's typical weekday involves hosting a weekday radio show and taking care of the kids. Christy cares for cancer patients, with little flexibility during the workday. But both Jameson and Christy are providers. In Jameson's words, the question is, “What are you providing?”

From their days as high-school sweethearts, to moving to Little Rock for ministry and being held hostage by an escaped inmate(!) ... Bill and Becky have got some stories. And the thread throughout? God's been at work in them to fulfill His purposes (Philippians 2:13). 

What are the biggest challenges facing pastors today? Why, in the livestream era, is in-person church attendance still crucial? And Lord help us, how do we have godly political conversations as Election Day nears? Katie sits down with 6 servant leaders to discuss these questions and more. Pastors interviewed were:CJ Rhodes, Mt. Helm Baptist Church, JacksonBarry Male, Madison Methodist ChurchBrian Crawford, City Light Church, VicksburgKyle Reno, Crossgates Church, BrandonBeau and Rachel Burnham, Vineyard Church, Flowood

Katie recently interviewed eight teachers and coaches from Jackson-area independent schools. These leaders discussed why they do what they do, how they've seen God move in their students' lives, and what they want students and parents to know. 

Felix and Rashida Walker, broker and realtor at W Real Estate, and Joel and Peppi Sims, senior pastors at Word of Life Church, sat down with Katie to talk all things marriage: terrible first dates, credit card whoopsies, wilderness periods - and the power of prayer to heal and strengthen a relationship.

Chris and Polly Kellum share their God story, from meeting on the beach in Destin to the 10 spinal surgeries that brought Chris to his physical and mental limits. Thanks to God's grace and Polly's support, Chris is now a peak performance mindset coach who uses scripture, neuroscience, and his own experience to help others overcome their mental barriers.

Jackson Leadership Foundation partners with Christian ministry leaders in Jackson who do everything from mentoring youth to loving on grieving mothers. The women on staff at JLF are all part of that, and they sat down with Katie to discuss their ministries, their callings, and why they're compelled to serve our capital city.

Debi has endured cancer, divorces, loved ones in car wrecks, and other trials. But as a 28-year leukemia survivor who was initially given 5 years to live, she has the perspective that "God has a plan, and His plan is good." She has the receipts to prove it. 

Katie recently sat down with three financial professionals to talk about money, stewardship, and how their Christian faith impacts their jobs and their personal finances. Randy Ginn is founder of Mascagni Wealth Management in Clinton and a Certified Financial Planner; Chris McAlpin is Chief Experience Officer at Sound Financial Strategies Group in Flowood and a financial advisor; and Ashley Sullivan is Senior Manager at BMSS Advisors and CPAs in Ridgeland and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 

In today's world, anything more than 3 kids is seen as ambitious - or even irresponsible, depending on whom you ask. Tim and Jenn share their story of why they chose to have a large family, how it has stretched them, and why "it's not Sunday school's job to make our kids believers."

Dr. Farrah Newman grew up in a single-parent household in Columbus, Mississippi. Now an ophthalmologist at EyeCare Professionals, she sees her life through eyes of faith, from the small country church where she got saved to Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya, where she and her husband served for 2 years (bringing all 4 of their kiddos along). Hear her journey of finding the Father's love, taking leaps of faith, and finding time with God wherever she is.

Ben Derrick knew he'd work in a church one day, and he did just that, becoming lead pastor of a local church that became a second home for his family. Then God called him to step away from pastoring and enter the mental health field. The past two years have tested Ben and Cammie's marriage more than all the previous years combined, but they believe their obedience to God's will is worth it, and they're grateful for the solid foundation they built for their marriage long ago. 

Rick Gage is bringing his Go Tell America crusade to the Brandon Amphitheater on October 15-18, and MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn interviewed 6 people who are helping make the crusade happen. They discuss who should come, whom to invite, and why crusades are an important way to reach non-Christians who aren't ready to attend a Sunday worship service. Interviewees: Percy Thornton, Art Jones, Dr. Meredith Travelstead, Ryan Wade, Carolyn Boteler, Joy Bradford. 

On August 1, two Mississippi couples - Catherine and Taylor Sledge of Ridgeland, and Erin and Ben Napier of HGTV's Laurel-based "Home Town" series - launched Osprey, a nonprofit movement for parents who want to keep their kids free from social media through high school. Catherine and Taylor sat down with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn to talk about why they co-founded Osprey (which stands for Old School Parents Raising Engaged Youth) and why they want their kids to have social lives without social media.

Seven heads of metro Jackson independent schools recently spoke with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn about their institutions, the impact of a Christian education, and more. 

Robert and Susan Green and Bridgett and Johnny Clayton recently spoke with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn about their stories and what God has taught them in marriage. Robert and Susan are pastor and children's minister respectively at Fondren Church in Jackson and have been married 27 years. Bridgett is an attorney, and Johnny is a senior respiratory therapist at Merit Health – they have been married 40 years. 

Rick Courtney, Nathan Stamper, Rev. Reginald Buckley, and Brent Leach serve God in law offices, baseball fields, sanctuaries and living rooms. They recently sat down with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks Ginn to talk about their careers, their wives, their greatest spiritual influences, and the biggest lessons God has taught them along the way. 

Ivan Parke and his parents moved from India to America when he was little, and now he's a college professor, published author, husband and father. He and his wife, Mary Ann, know exactly Who paved the way for them - through marriage, parenting, job changes, and some suffering along the way. 

Ole Miss Baseball Hitting Coach Mike Clement (part of last year's College World Series win) and his wife, Amanda, talk about their journey from College Station, Texas, where they met, to "The Velvet Ditch" of Oxford, Mississippi - a place so comfortable it's hard to leave. They might be at home in Oxford, but spiritually, "We're not called to a place of comfort," Mike says. 

For the fourth year in a row, MCL has taken nominations for Christian Leaders of the Year. This year the five selected leaders met together for a group interview with MCL Editor Katie Eubanks. The conversation was as impactful as anything you'd hear at a leadership conference! Our 2022 Christian Leaders of the Year are:Angela Carson, founder, Pine Grove Association and Carson ConsultingJonathan Lancaster, chief financial officer, We Will GoMatt Nalker, executive director, The Arc MississippiPreston Crowe, counseling pastor and director of The Center for Hope and Healing, Broadmoor Baptist ChurchTom Washburn, minister to senior adults, First Baptist Jackson

Dr. Cathie Phillippi is a married, churchgoing doctor with three kids. But she isn't perfect. “I think people see this put-together person … with all the things,” she says. “But I often still kind of feel like a fly on the wall." As a troubled adolescent with a broken home, she rejected God - but He did not reject her. Through a godly grandmother, a scholarship, and genuine believers, Jesus pursued Cathie and changed her heart.

Clint and Terri Herring are a successful real estate developer and pro-life lobbyist respectively, with 3 sons, 11 grandchildren, and lots to look forward to. But once they were teenage newlyweds, journeying across the country for a new life that would challenge them in ways they did not expect. 

Mart had a home, a family, and a job he loved, but he lost it all due to his alcoholism. Finally, after stints in several rehab facilities and even the Mississippi State Hospital, "God did for me what I couldn't do for myself," he says. Nearly a year after getting sober, he started dating Holly, his now wife. Listen as they recount God's faithfulness and their hopes for the future.

Deryll Stegall of Stegall Imagery has shot nearly 100 MCL magazine covers over the years. Get to know him and his wife, Sherry, who blended their families after they both experienced divorce - and hear what they've learned about finding happiness and making marriage work. 

Roosevelt & Shay Greenwood had already endured their share of trials when Roosevelt was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer in 2016. But God worked a miracle, and not only has Roosevelt lived more than 3 years longer than expected, but his cancer is now "asleep." Listen as he and Shay share how God has made them #GreenwoodStrong.

Meredith & Joel Travelstead are an OB/GYN and a CPA in northeast Jackson. They share with Katie about marriage, family, and how God has used the "spiritual wrestling matches" in their lives to strengthen their faith in Christ.

Barb Martin, a licensed professional counselor and former columnist for Mississippi Christian Living, talks about setting boundaries and giving grace to in-laws, and even shares some of her own in-law moments! Whether you're married, want to prepare for marriage, or just want to better relate with loved ones in general, this is a good one.

In this episode, Katie talks with Neddie Winters, president of Mission Mississippi, an organization promoting racial reconciliation within the body of Christ. Neddie gives his perspective on current racial tensions that have been amplified in light of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police - and, more importantly, what white and black Christians can do to stand for truth, justice and reconciliation. (NOTE: At one point our recording cut off in the middle of the podcast, and we had to start a new one. Our apologies for the brief "Can you hear me now?" moment!)

Stevie Franks had an unstable and sometimes scary upbringing with his single dad, who often took Stevie to work with him at nightclubs in Charleston, Mississippi. But through an aunt and uncle, a special coloring book, FUGE camps and more, God led him to trust and serve Jesus. Now Stevie ministers to teens as a student pastor in Jackson - and he is a big believer that anybody can impact a child for Christ.

Just over a year ago, Kellye Smith got the worst headache ever - and that was only the beginning. A few months later, God told her, "This is about to get worse, but I need you to trust Me." He has helped her do just that. 

In 2011, Amy Bates and her husband, Cliff, were 37 years old, with two sons and zero plans to add to their family. Then they were called to adopt. They prayed for a year, and then realized they had to obey no matter what lay ahead. Walking by faith, Amy said, was the hardest part. But, spoiler! They now have a 7-year-old adopted son named Levi, and they can't imagine their lives without him.

Jacksonian and Thimblepress owner Kristen Ley chats with Editor Katie Eubanks about how we can make the most of a pandemic, prioritize our time, and even find ways to celebrate life's little moments while sheltering in place. Kristen is a strong believer in Christ. She works mostly out of her studio, located downstairs from her apartment, so she's been "working from home" for a while! As the creator of everything from push-pop confetti to colorful coffee mugs, beach towels and greeting cards, Kristen believes in bringing people joy in the everyday.

At 17 years old, Jan Schaefer prayed for "true love," and in a matter of weeks, she met a fireman named Rick May. But Rick's impact on her life would be far bigger than a romantic relationship. She was about to learn about true love in more ways than one.

Welcome to "A Closer Walk," by Mississippi Christian Living! Each month, MCL Editor Katie Eubanks will record an informal conversation with someone featured in the magazine. It could be anybody - from the person on the cover to a columnist or someone who shared their testimony.So why is the show called "A Closer Walk"? Some episodes (hopefully most of them!) will encourage you to draw closer to Christ. Some will bring you closer to your neighbors as you listen to their stories. Some might bring you closer to yourself as you realize, "Hey, that sounds like me!" And others might just give you a closer understanding of a helpful topic found in the magazine, like the connections between mental, physical and spiritual health.Though the format and topics might change over time, the end game of the podcast - drawing closer to God, our neighbors and ourselves in love - will stay the same.

Neil Woodall Jr. was a natural athlete and a "tough" guy - exactly who he'd been raised to be. Then a freak accident introduced him to prescription painkillers. In MCL's pilot episode of "A Closer Walk," Neil explains how he fell into addiction, and how he met God in a powerful way after finally reaching out for help.