New Life in Rural Church
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 4
Dry Creek Baptist Church, located in rural Kemper County, MS, has long served as a beacon in the Preston community. However, similar to many churches across our state and nation, its attendance has decreased since COVID with weekly attendance reaching a low of 6 people.
Besides the challenges COVID imposed on the local congregation, Dry Creek's pastor, Vernell Daniels, who served for over 25 years, retired in October 2023. For a year, Dry Creek was without a pastor. However, its members rose to the occasion, providing weekly lessons and inviting various local pastors to supply the pulpit. The people of Dry Creek maintained their faith and continued to pray for God to fill their church again and provide a long-term pastor.
In July 2024, interim pastor Bro. Tommy Jones informed the deacons about a gentleman who could preach the next Sunday, as he and his family were visiting from Montana. The deacons consented, and on July 14, Corey Jackson delivered his first sermon at Dry Creek. In the weeks that followed, the congregation of Dry Creek voted to appoint him as the next pastor of Dry Creek Baptist Church.
Corey and his family had intended to home to Mississippi following the birth of their third son in October 2024. The church's decision to appoint him as pastor signified to the family that they were following God's will.
On October 13, 2024, Bro. Corey and his family attended their first Sunday at Dry Creek. Since that time, the people of Dry Creek have dedicated each Sunday morning before services to praying for the church. They have also initiated a monthly second Sunday potluck meal, started an adult Sunday school class, and have been consistently seeing 35-45 attendees each week and have seen as many as many as 70 in attendance. In addition to that several people have joined the church. God is visibly responding to Dry Creek's prayers!
The mission of Dry Creek Baptist is to carry out the Great Commission by spreading the Gospel, reaching those who are lost, and discipling the saints. They encapsulate this mission with the phrase: Preach. Reach. Teach.
Dry Creek holds Sunday school each Sunday at 10am, followed by worship at 11am. Additionally, they host a second Sunday potluck every month after the morning service. You are invited to join them any Sunday at 13873 Dekalb Rd. Preston, MS 39354.
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