I found these two interesting news items concerning Mississippi, one good and one bad. The first, a CBN News item dated December 6, 2025, concerns a breach of freedom of religion and speech in Brandon, Mississippi. An evangelist, Rev. Gabriel Olivier, was on a walkway handing out gospel tracts to people going into the amphitheatre for a concert. He was arrested because he was not in a designated zone for protesters. It seems the city of Brandon had passed the ordinance to restrict protests and demonstrations; however, they are now using it to prevent religious speech they do not want to tolerate.
The evangelist was not protesting anything. He was sharing the gospel. He said, “I love to go out and tell folks about Jesus. I hand out tracts to people and tell them about the message of Christ as they walk into the concert.” I Cor. points out that the gospel is offensive to unbelievers. Bro. Olivier did not have to serve time in jail, but he is suing the city to get the ordinance thrown out for violating first amendment rights. The article indicated that this case would be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Another YouTube video, entitled “A New Morning at Parchman,” sponsored and presented about a year ago by Pepperdine University, was produced and directed by Byron and Andrew Johnson. It was truly joyful to learn that Parchman, the penitentiary located in the Mississippi Delta, long known for being one of the most violent prisons in America, had such good news coming out of it. The video stated, “A transformation of Parchman is underway. At the center of the movement is a seminary embedded within the prison to train ministers, as well as inmate-led congregations and ministers.”
The seminary students live together on the same “zone” and worship together on Sunday mornings. The video featured many men, black and white, old and young, dressed in striped pants and white t-shirts, together singing praises vigorously, clapping hands, yet with no instruments, microphone, or media. At one point, when a few sang in harmony and were applauded, the prison superintendent observed and joined in the applause. After singing to the Lord, one reads scripture. Then someone preaches the Word of God.
An observer commented, “The men are praising God, men are happy. The Spirit is moving on that zone. It is unreal to see men with hands up high, praising God.” The video included many testimonies of changed lives. One said, “This is something that has absolutely changed me. I didn’t think there was any hope in here. I had given up years ago, and when I found Christ, I finally came over here to this zone and went to the seminary. It’s changed my life.” One inmate shared, “We want to see this place change. And we do everything we can to make it change.”
Another said, “We accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, and the Spirit of God is enough. Wherever we are, on the yard, the dining hall, at school or inside the zone, we have to worship God.” They emphasized that this was not a requirement of the prison, but that they do it because “God is worthy to be praised.” They also shared how their “brotherhood” has caused them to love each other like “family.” He continued, “We don’t see no color. We are one.” Another encouraged, “Keep your mind on the Lord and you’ll find joy and peace.”
People get ready, Jesus is coming soon! You may contact me at lagnesrussell@gmail.com or 601-635-3282.
