Twenty years ago a group of Christian Mississippians raised a cross at the state capitol to represent unity and racial reconciliation that can be found in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and Mission Mississippi was born.

     The mission is celebrating 20 years of Christian service and racial unity this year with a special event that will span all 82 counties in Mississippi. A glowing cross will make its trek, carried by members in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from high schools in each community.

     The glowing cross was designed and crafted by Nissan and Yates Construction Co. in Jackson.

     The journey began Wednesday in Jackson on the south steps of the state capitol. It then traveled to Rankin County and will head south from there.

     In each county, there will be a special celebration service where the cross is passed from one group of athletes to another. As the cross enters the main street of each city, the public is invited to join.

     The cross will make its way to Brookhaven Friday, Aug. 16. The local celebration service will be at 7 p.m. at the Brookhaven/Lincoln County Government Complex.

     Phyllis Spearman initiated the Brookhaven Mission Mississippi group and she asks that every Christian come out for the event and show their unity in Christ.

     “What I think is so wonderful about this event,” Spearman said, “is that Mississippi has this reputation of “Mississippi Burning,” and what we want people to know is that Mississippi is not burning, we are glowing in Christ, and we hope our fellow Christians will come out and get involved.”

     President of the Mission Mississippi Neddie Winters invites all Mississippians to join in the journey that goes through Oct. 27 and will end at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson.”

     “We want to invite Mississippians to follow the cross as it comes through their county,” Winters said, “and participate in the planned celebrations and unite with others at the Statewide Celebration on Oct. 27.”

     The cross will travel through southwest Mississippi with the following other stops:

     • Fayette, 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11.

     • Meadville, 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.

     • Natchez, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at The Bluff.

     • Woodville, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14.

     • Centreville, noon Thursday, Aug. 15.

     • McComb, 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Pavilion by the Depot.

     • Tylertown, 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18.

     • Monticello, 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, on the courthouse lawn.

     To learn more about Mission Mississippi, to view the complete calendar of the journey or to learn how to become a member or volunteer, visit Mission Mississippi’s website at www.missionmississippi.com, or call the Jackson office, (601) 353-6477.