Youth in Lincoln County will come together during the next weekto stand up for what they believe in, joining a Christian programthat has already affected thousands of young people.

Many Baptist teenagers here will participate in the nationaleffort called Missions Cross Walk, where youth groups use a largecross to witness and minister to people in their communities.

“It’s about being willing to go out into the community and sharethe love of Jesus,” said Minnie Case, assistant coordinator withthe Lincoln County Acteens Association.

The wooden cross, which has already traveled through manysouthern states over the last two years, will arrive in the countyat 2:30 p.m. for a ceremony at the Lincoln County BaptistAssociation on Halbert Heights Road.

After arriving here, the cross will be passed to differentchurch youth groups in the area to allow them to use it for amission.

“It’s a great witnessing tool,” said Ann McCraven, coordinatorof the Lincoln County Acteens Association.

Although Missions Cross Walk is sponsored by Women’s MissionaryUnion and Acteens, it is not exclusive to just young girls andwomen, added McCraven. The event is open to all youth, so manyteenage boys will also be participating in the week-long event.

“It’s for youth who are willing to stand up for the Lord,” saidCase.

Cross Walk is based on Luke 9:23 — “If anyone would come afterme, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and followme.”

Some of the activities planned include youth taking the cross toa local store and passing out Christian literature to shoppers, aswell as having a family night to promote Christian values in aneedy community.

The week will end with a large parade through the middle ofBrookhaven. Over 150 youth are expected to walk with the cross fromWal-Mart Supercenter on Brookway Boulevard to First Baptist Churchon Monticello Street.

Young people are already preparing for the parade by makingsigns with Christian messages to hold during the parade. The paradehas been scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Dec. 16, a time when the city isfilled with holiday shoppers.

McCraven believes the busy time will allow the teenagers toreach more people with their message.

After the parade, the cross will be passed to youth in LawrenceCounty. Other neighboring counties, such as Pike and Copiah, havealready participated in Cross Walk. It will continue to othercounties in Mississippi, then to Alabama.

Even though the cross will be leaving Lincoln County, Acteenleaders want the message of faith and love to continue circulatingin the area.

“This will be something that will go on after this week becausewe will continue to meet the needs of the people in the community,”said Case.

Anyone interested in participating in the Missions Cross Walk,call the Lincoln County Baptist Association office at 833-8111.