Mission First

A special thank you to real estate agent Felicia Brister for coming and pouring into our girls! Your willingness to share the many opportunities within the real estate world truly opened their eyes to new possibilities. Thank you for being so transparent about your journey, both professionally and in your walk with Christ. Your story was powerful, inspiring, and impactful. You’ve planted seeds that will continue to grow!

Our ELC students have been learning about the weather this week! We made weather simulations using various materials for some hands-on learning. Thank you so much to our incredible teachers who bring learning to life!

Last week, a team from Believers City Church in Menomonie, Wisconsin, came to serve our community. They tutored students at the ELC, completed various projects, and even got to spend some time working with our Ash Street students on their chess skills. We are so grateful for this team and the way they blessed our community.

We were excited to welcome Mr. Anthony Epps for a visit at Peyton's House. Mr. Epps attended Blackburn Middle School and Provine High School here in Jackson, where he played basketball. Through his strong work ethic and dedication both in the classroom and on the court, he earned a four-year basketball scholarship to Oklahoma State University.

His message about what it takes to reach the next level was both motivating and inspiring for our students to hear.

Author Sherry Tate recently visited our OASIS After School program to share about her new book, Ryann & the Sea World! This book, illustrated by our OASIS director, David Jackson, encourages kids to use their imagination as they explore the world around them!

We are so excited about our upcoming Princess Tea fundraiser! Every ticket supports the work God is doing through Mission First Early Learning Center. We hope you will join us!

We are thrilled to announce that tickets to Once Upon A Fairytale are available NOW! ✨ Come experience this magical event filled with sweet memories and storybook charm — all while supporting an incredible cause that truly makes a difference. Grab yours before they’re gone at fairytaleprincesstea.com/tickets!

REMINDER: Peyton's House will be having a Preview Day THIS Thursday, February 19th!

Peyton's House is a mentor ministry for 6th-12th graders that has after-school and summer programs! If you have a student who is ready to have fun while growing socially, academically, and spiritually, this is for you!

Let us know you're coming by using the QR code or the link below. We can't wait to meet you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepb7_QrADli7LNCGMqikjaA4Y6QFVz98AEtKTSIsIIJmSzNQ/viewform

We are excited to announce that Peyton's House will be having a Preview Day on Thursday, February 19th!

Peyton's House is a mentor ministry for 6th-12th graders that has after-school and summer programs! If you have a student who is ready to have fun while growing socially, academically, and spiritually, this is for you!

Let us know you're coming by using the QR code or the link below. We can't wait to meet you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepb7_QrADli7LNCGMqikjaA4Y6QFVz98AEtKTSIsIIJmSzNQ/viewform

As we begin the new year, we want to pause and reflect on some truly special moments from the Christmas season at Mission First.

Our Christmas Store was a wonderful success! Thanks to our incredible volunteers and the generosity of local churches, schools, and individuals, 99 children received Christmas presents—gifts, stocking stuffers, Bibles, books, pajamas, food, and more. We are especially grateful to our friends from Miskelly Furniture, Park Place Baptist Church, the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Metro Jackson, Hartfield Academy, and Pinelake Church for being present and helping make the day run so smoothly.

Before students left for Christmas break, we also celebrated Jesus’s Birthday Party! Each student enjoyed a special Christmas chapel service and received a gift from our friends at Republic Services, along with stockings provided by Aligned Oral and Facial Surgery.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Ann Carter and everyone involved in the annual Shrimp and Santa Celebration for our Peyton’s House students. Because of your faithfulness and generosity, our students felt seen, valued, and deeply loved. Thank you for making this cherished tradition so meaningful year after year.

We rejoice in all that God did in 2025 and look forward with hope and expectation to all He has in store for 2026!

We recently had members of the Entergy Legal Department visit our Legal Aid office to help with intake meetings for potential new clients. We appreciate their willingness to support our community!

Our after school program has such amazing volunteers who help make every day special for our students. One of the members of MC's Laguna Tribe recently spent some time doing art with one of our students, Sasha, who is an incredible little artist.

Our friends from First Presbyterian Church helped bring the Christmas story to life yesterday with a live nativity at our Ash Street location! This was such a fun and impactful way for our students to experience the story of Christ's birth.