A Closer Walk, by Mississippi Christian Living

MCL Editor Katie Ginn recently interviewed five Mississippi artists whose walk with Christ informs their work onstage and in the studio. They shared about their early (and current) inspirations, how their art impacts their faith, and how anybody can – and should – engage with the arts for God’s glory. Meet the artists:  Kathy Thibodeaux Founder and Artistic Director, Ballet Magnificat! Katelyn Har...

Margaret Fortenberry grew up on the mission field in Zimbabwe. In an American seminary, she met Robert - and before too long, they were married and committed to long-term, foreign missions. But their story took many twists and turns along the way.  MCL Editor Katie Ginn sits down with the Fortenberrys to discuss why it took a decade-plus for them to get overseas, why they didn't go to the fir...

What happens when a “perfect” marriage suddenly isn’t? In this vulnerable, hope-filled conversation, Rusty and Heather Bryant share the story of how their 15-year marriage was shattered by infidelity — and how God rebuilt it stronger than before. From small-town beginnings and a seemingly solid relationship to the devastating moment of confession, this episode walks through the pain, the repentanc...

None of these professionals started their careers in finance. They also didn't start off working with close family! Marray and TK Harris are a husband-wife team, and Jeff Miley and Kayla Soukup are stepdad / stepdaughter, all working to serve clients in the area of money. Listen in for some great financial and spiritual wisdom - some of it learned the hard way.

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!

What are the biggest challenges facing pastors today? What encourages them and gives them hope? And what is the point of all those genealogies in the Bible?? Listen as MCL Editor Katie Ginn interviews 5 Jackson metro pastors about these questions and more.  *Note: This interview took place in August. Read our October Cover Story, available at MSChristianLiving.com starting Oct. 3, for how each pas...

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.

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...

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 Jam...

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, Jackson Barry Male, Madison Methodist Church Bri...

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 Sulliv...

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...

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 w...