A Closer Walk, by Mississippi Christian Living

Rebecca and Dalco met line dancing as young people in Hattiesburg. It was "fun at first sight." But through a 2-year engagement, key relationships, and some fun physical challenges, their relationship has grown into one of spiritual maturity and mutual love and respect. Listen as they share their calling and their advice for their younger selves.

Each year, Mississippi Christian Living asks for nominations for Christian Leaders of the Year for our December cover story. This year’s honorees represent everything from a preschool choir to economic development, and they share a robust faith in Christ. We had to cut a LOT for print space, so this podcast contains the full interview!

Chris and Kayla White had a plan. Kayla was a counselor, and Chris was a youth pastor aiming for the pulpit. Then Chris came home one day and told Kayla he felt “unsettled.” Listen as they share how God led them to a pivot that will allow them to be powerful agents of change for Mississippi families – together.

Dr. Kristen White has lived everywhere from Oklahoma to East Asia to California. But her hardest move was relocating to Jackson, Mississippi, where she teaches at Belhaven University. She shares how God gave her a heart for missions, how she grew to thrive in community in the Magnolia State - and what she wants her students to learn about God's heart for the nations.

Musician Marcus Singleton, dance instructor Mandy King, ceramic artist Sam Clark, actress Ali Dinkins, and painter Abigail Myrick sat down with Katie to talk about how faith and art combine - and why everyone should exercise their right brain. 

In January 2023, Elizabeth Ann Howell woke to the sound of her husband gasping for air. If she hadn't been trained in CPR, he might not be alive today. Listen as EA and Tyler share that story, plus how they met, how EA joined her family in the Miskelly Furniture business, and how they deal with the chaos of running a household with a 3-year-old human and a 5-year-old dog.

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!

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). 

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. 

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."