Meet Monquez
Everybody has a great story, and Monquez Ford is no different. A native of Jackson and graduate of Forrest Hill High School, Monquez thought he was destined to go to college at the University of Southern Mississippi and major in chemistry. His plans and entire life changed when he met a music teacher at Jackson State University who influenced him so much that he changed everything and decided to stay in Jackson to major in music education at Jackson State.
"She invested a lot of personal time in me and told me that I have talent and that I would be a great music teacher one day," says Monquez. "She saw something in me that I didn't see in myself and it changed my life. I want to have that effect on my students one day and that is why I chose this profession - because I know first hand how important and influential teachers can be. I love music and I love to play and I plan on having a classroom full of students."
Monquez is a student member of First Jackson's Worship Orchestra, actually one of the first student members since a scholarship for orchestra students was established in 2015. Monquez's introduction to First Jackson is an interesting story in itself because he saw the sanctuary and the orchestra for the first time when one of his friends who was a herald trumpet player for
Carols by Candlelight needed a ride to a rehearsal. "I had never seen anything like that before - a beautiful church with a full orchestra, including string players. I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of this, and it was right in my backyard," says Monquez. He started attending Sunday morning worship services and one day bravely introduced himself to a music staff member who immediately connected him to our orchestra program.
"This is the most loving church. I feel at home and welcome and I've grown spiritually and will never forget not just one teacher changing my life, but a whole church family."
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Friendships That Last A Lifetime
It's not uncommon at all to meet couples at First Jackson who say they met either in a Young Adult Singles class or in a Newlywed class in our church many years ago. "It's so funny that it seems like just yesterday we were all getting married and having our first child and today our kids are all good friends and graduating from high school or even in college together," says one First Jackson couple. "We traveled life journeys together when we had children and dealt with aging parents together, and we have celebrated and grieved together so many times for things that just happen unexpectedly in life."
"That's the joy of being teachers in the First Jackson Young Adult 'newly or nearly' wed class," says Tanny Crawford, who with his wife, Kelly, teaches young adults on a weekly basis. "We love being a part of a class where young people are entering such an exciting stage of life. We're a part of milestone events such as marriage, buying the first home, and we're now even seeing our first couple have a baby. This is a critical time in a young person's life and they need the support of a church family and they need to be around couples and other adults who have been where they are."
Tanny uses the Bible as the guide for teaching every week and he and Kelly emphasize that building relationships is important. They have monthly fellowships and, as Tanny says, "we just have a lot of fun together. We're trying to teach these young adults to not just 'go' to church but to be active, and they are. Many of these couples are active in a broad range of ministries and we're seeing so many positive results because of that."
"If I have any advice for young families and young adults in our church it would be this," says a First Jackson couple who are celebrating twenty-two years of marriage this year. "The relationships and friendships that you are making now in a Christ-centered community are the ones you'll have for the rest of your life. They are special relationships and friendships that last a lifetime."
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A Disciple Lives Like Christ
Matthew 16 is one of the most pivotal passages in all of the Bible. In Matthew 16 Jesus has been living, ministering and working with his disciples for two years. For over 700 days they've seen Jesus do something that no one else can do. The blind can see because of Jesus and the lame can walk. Jesus turns from the crowd to his disciples and tells them in verse 13, "who do people say that I am?" "Some say you're John the Baptist and some say you're Elijah and some say you're Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." But then Jesus, in verse 15, turns to them and says "Who do you say that I am?"
In verse 16 Peter, the leader of the disciples, gives literally the most profound confession that the earth has ever heard up unto this point. "Who do people say that you are? They say you're John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, these other prophets. Who do we, Lord, say that you are? You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. You are the Messiah. You are the one that has been from generation to generation; you are the one that my daddy talked about, my grandfather talked about, his grandfathers talked about, and all of my grandfathers have talked about. You are the one that the scriptures have pointed to and you are not dead. You are alive, you are God himself."
from Join the Team, Part 1, by Dr. Matt Brooks
Join Dr. Matt Brooks again on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. for the second part of the 'Join the Team' series or on our live stream at 10:30 a.m. on firstbaptistjackson.org/live
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Fit for Life
On any given Tuesday or Thursday you can walk into Yonnie Waller's cardio and strength class at the First Jackson Christian Life Center and see women of any age, any walk of life, from any part of our city working toward the goal of becoming physically fit. When you ask the women why they are here you'll get all kinds of answers: One lady says that the membership was a Christmas gift from a friend who thought she would benefit from the fellowship of a fitness class. Another says that she found herself struggling when she was working in her yard and knew that she needed to be in better condition. Another says that she believes that physical fitness affects her overall mental and spiritual health, while another says that she believes that it is a therapy that brings comfort in rough times.
All of these reasons, combined with a Christian atmosphere and the gentle coaching from Yonnie, create a safe and stress-free environment that allows us to remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and they are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
There are classes for all levels of fitness as well as a cardio room, a weight room, and a walking track. Classes are available all through the day and there are times that are convenient for just about anyone who is looking to add a few fitness sessions to their week. Early morning, lunch, and evening classes are great times to join a class if you work and fitness experts say that a good hour-long work out can burn up to 200 - 400 calories, or maybe more.
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HOPE Conference
When Susan Mason was diagnosed with cancer 18 years ago she was hit with the overwhelming realization that this was something she would live with for the rest of her life. "I decided to be my own advocate in this situation and immediately became involved in any support programs that I could find. I was so fortunate that First Jackson decided to partner with local
health care agencies to create something as impactful and important as HOPE. Read the full story.
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It's Spring... It's Spring Break.... and it's time to CHANGE... Literally
Sunday, March 12, is the day that we
move our clocks forward one hour: 2:00 a.m. becomes 3:00 a.m. Don't forget to adjust your clocks and don't forget that wherever you are, even if you are on Spring Break, you can always catch First Jackson live streaming on our website at firstbaptistjackson.org/live at 10:30 a.m. CDT. We'll see you there!
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Annie Armstrong Easter Offering
The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® changes lives forever by empowering North American missionaries to bring the gospel to the lost. With over 269 million lost people, North America and its major cities are some of the most spiritually dark places in the world. Leading up to Easter we'll start focusing our stories on how your gifts to offerings like this change lives. Pray about your gift so that we can meet our goal by Easter. Give online or in our worship center.
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THIS SUNDAY, March 12
@ First Baptist Jackson
MULTIPLY DISCIPLES TO LIVE LIKE JESUS
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SUNDAY MORNING
Worship | Sanctuary | 10:30 am
Message: Dr. Matt Brooks
Join the Team
Sunday School | 9:00 am
Connect with Christ-Centered Community
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Upcoming events at First Baptist Jackson
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Cultivate | A Women's Gathering
March 31 & April 1
Cultivate is a relational, down-to-earth women's event featuring Bible teacher Kelly Minter. Expect God's Word to be the centerpiece, guided
prayer times to enrich your community, and the invitation to put faith in action
(because God's heart is for the poor and forgotten). |
Learn more.
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Kids' ROCK!: Treasure Island
Sunday, March 26 | 6:00 p.m.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Featuring the pop Christian hit "Gold" by Britt Nicole, the plot revolves around a group of kids who are searching for treasure that is more valuable than gold. Learn more.
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Forgiven: A Celebration of the Cross
Palm Sunday, April 9 |
6:00 p.m.
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Join us for this service that will feature scripture and powerful music culminating with the celebration of the Lord's Supper. The First Jackson Worship Choir and Orchestra will lead in this multi-generational worship experience not only reflecting on the cross but also celebrating the resurrection. Learn more.
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Just Ahead
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