Hope Mississippi

Former band director David Willson shares the transformative teaching philosophy that changed countless lives over a long career, including 32 years at Ole Miss. From humble beginnings in Jackson, Mississippi, Willson's journey reveals how music education became his pathway out of poverty and into a life of purpose.

He was our host, Dawn Beam's band director, and she proclaims that he was such an incredible leader, she wou...

Reverend Eddie Spencer shares his powerful journey from childhood poverty to ministry, including his recent battle with cancer and sepsis that brought him near death yet deepened his faith and peace in Christ.

• God has a plan to use each of us uniquely—your testimony, whatever it includes, can impact someone who needs exactly your perspective
• Eddie's path included service with Young Life, opening three restaura...

Eddie Spencer's life story reads like a modern parable of redemption. From a childhood marked by humiliation and poverty to a young adulthood filled with violent crime, Spencer's trajectory seemed fixed. But what happens when divine intervention meets a willing heart?

The turning point came in first grade when classmates mocked him for wearing secondhand "girl shoes"—the only footwear his family could p...

What does it look like when faith moves beyond Sunday services to transform an entire community? Amy Lancaster of We Will Go Ministries shares a powerful story of answering God's unexpected call to serve not overseas, but in downtown Jackson—their "Jerusalem."

The journey began when Amy and her husband David sold their home and prepared for international missions, only to hear God redirect them to Jackson&ap...

What happens when government agencies, churches, and community members break down silos and work together? Lives transform, families reunite, and hope takes root in even the most challenging circumstances.

Dawn Beam and Cindy Cheeks dive deep into the science of hope and its practical application in Mississippi's child welfare system. With startling statistics—one in four Mississippi children living in poverty and one...

Reverend Martha Cherry's life reads like a journey through America's most pivotal moments of the last century. From witnessing the bombing of Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church where her friend Carol Robertson died, to studying under Dr. King's sister at Spelman College when he received the Nobel Peace Prize, Cherry's path has intersected with history at remarkable turns.

"I drew from my ...

Dawn Beam welcomes Elder Scottie Tyrone for a heartfelt conversation about building hope through faith, community service, and crossing racial divides in Mississippi. Their profound discussion explores how genuine connections and spiritual transformation can bring healing to individuals and communities facing significant challenges.

• Lincoln Park church serves as a "hospital" where people can come as they are fo...

Nestled on 42 acres in Purvis, Mississippi, Homes of Hope stands as a beacon of possibility for vulnerable children across the state. In this deeply moving conversation, Executive Director Dr. Scott Hanberry reveals how this unique residential ministry is transforming lives by providing much more than shelter – they're cultivating genuine hope.

Unlike traditional institutional settings, Homes of Hope creates actual fa...

Dwight Owens shares a powerful message of hope and resilience, drawing from personal experiences of trauma and loss, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration in building a brighter future for Mississippi. The episode discusses overcoming adversity, the impact of education, the struggles faced by the disability community, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

• Importance of spreading hope in communities fac...

HOPE MISSISSIPPI is a bimonthly podcast educating Mississippians about the needs of fellow citizens, encouraging residents to work together to change the trajectory of our families and children, and sharing success stories.

Dawn and Stephen Beam are successful professionals (now retired) seeking to improve conditions in their beloved Mississippi. What started many years ago with the "WHAT IF" meetings evolved into an ambit...

Dawn and Stephen Beam are successful professionals (now retired) seeking to improve conditions in their beloved Mississippi. What started many years ago with the "WHAT IF" meetings evolved into an ambitious non-profit and now an uplifting "feel good" podcast. 

After decades of church-sponsored missions to Central America, the Beams were inspired to channel their energy and efforts to their home state of Mississip...