Jackson Parish has long been known as a wholesome, family-oriented community, but like many cities across the country, we have seen an increase in crime, drugs, and incarceration in recent years.
After a meeting called by Mayor Harris in November 2023, a group of pastors in the Jackson Parish area were inspired to set aside denominational and cultural differences and join forces to make a difference.
The Jackson Parish Unity Team is comprised of twenty-one churches with the goal of addressing economic needs and introducing people to Jesus Christ, whom they believe is the solution to the many challenges facing the community.
Through this collaboration, they hope to strengthen the bond between the church and the community, encouraging residents to return to the church and foster a relationship with God.
The Jackson Parish Unity Team has developed a plan to hold quarterly events, for a total of four initiatives per year. Since coming together in October, they have raised over $10,000 to make an impact in the area.
One of their first successful initiatives was the Annual Unity Service at the North Hodge Assembly of God, where nearly every church in Jackson Parish was represented and a Unity Choir performed to a full house.
In April, Pastor Jeremy Fontenot and Grace Community led the Jackson Parish Unity Team in a City Clean-Up event, where the churches came together to clean up and pray for residents after a recent storm.
The group also showed support for Paradise Funeral Home in their recent fire loss of the funeral home by donating $8,425.00 to help them rebuild as their business is an important stakeholder of the community. In addition, the team supported a STOP THE VIOLENCE campaign event back in January entitled “The Funeral is Canceled” hosted by Mr. Tyrone Cowans where each of the churches had youth represented, encouraging them to refrain from gun violence.
Currently, the Jackson Parish Unity Team is working on their third quarter initiative, Back 2 School Bash, recognizing the financial struggles many families face in purchasing school supplies. The event will take place at Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School on July 13, offering basic school supplies, free haircut vouchers, and personal hygiene products for students in grades K-12.
The efforts of the Jackson Parish Unity Team demonstrate the power of setting aside differences to come together and make a positive impact on the community. Stay updated on upcoming events by following the Unity Team on Facebook @ Jackson Parish Unity Team.
For more information on the Back 2 School Bash, please contact the host church, Place of Change, at 318-533-3220.
Participating Churches:
1. Bethany Baptist Church
2. Brown Grove Baptist C
3. First Baptisthurch
4. Full Gospel
5. Galilee BC (Hodge)
6. Grace Community
7. Hodge United Pentecostal
8. Kingdom First Church
9. New Galilee BC
10. New Rasberry BC
11. North Hodge Assembly of God
12. Pentecostals of Jonesboro
13. Pilgrim Rest BC
14. Place Of Change
15. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
16. River Of Joy
17. The Assembly of God (Jonesboro)
18. Travelers Rest Baptist Church
19. Union Star Methodist Church
20. Victory Temple COGIC
21. Greater Jonesboro COGIC
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