BROOKHAVEN — Ed Dillon stood next to a trailer loaded with boxes outside of The Mighty God Missionary Baptist Church Thursday afternoon. He was collecting donations to take to a church in McComb later in the afternoon. 

Dillon is a native of Bogue Chitto and graduated from Bogue Chitto High School. He spent a year at a university in Illinois before moving back home to Copiah-Lincoln Community College where he played football. 

His football career continued at Mississippi College but marriage cut it short. After college, he went to work in the oilfield but eventually came home from the sea. Similar to the biblical story of Jonah, he was trying to run away from what God was calling him to do. 

“I finally came home and answered God’s calling. I got into the ministry and have since earned a few doctoral degrees,” Dillon said. “One degree is in theology, another is in Christian counseling and the last one is in philosophy and counseling.” 

Dillon’s biggest mission field is in the heart of Brookhaven. The Mighty God Missionary Baptist Church is located on East Minnesota Street and is working to bring the community together as one. 

He said they are hoping to shape the next generation. Smaller kids are involved in the church and Mighty God has a summer program for them. Dillon said growing the kids starts at the church because they are looking for something to be proud of. 

“If you put them in a good environment they will thrive,” he said. 

Dillon’s daughters are school teachers in Pike County and have earned a masters in education while one has a masters in political science. His son attended Ole Miss and Alabama, where he got a PhD, and is currently working at Morgan State University. 

His kids are not his only pride-and-joys. Dillon said he had a young men’s choir when he first got into the ministry. 

‘They have grown up too and gone on to do great things. I want them to put what they learned into our kids now,” Dillon said. 

One of the things he tries to stop on the spot is fighting, degrading and arguing. 

Mighty God does ministry work in the community too. They give away produce and meat to the community as a food pantry. A thrift store is also open at the church which received many donations this year thanks to the Salvation Army.

“The family we are looking for is the poor and the needy. We will take care of you during the week and on Sunday we offer Sunday school and church. We have a prayer meeting and Bible study on Wednesday nights. I thank God for the love he is putting back in the community. I want to see it in our leadership too.” 

The church is not far away from the intersection where Minnesota and Washington Streets meet. Brookhaven Police Department is investigating a shooting which occurred in that area this past Tuesday. 

Dillon said the violence and racism is sad to him. Yet he carries on with his mission. The church offers a counseling service in addition to its food pantry and summer programs to help people. 

“We are going to love. When Jesus comes back he is going to find us loving people,” Dillon said. “We have to cut all the mess and start loving each other like how our parents taught us. There are a lot of things we can do and don’t do as a community. We have an open ministry here. We try to meet needs for people. We always make a way.”