By Shaun McInnish, Sr., City Beat Writer, Pelahatchie News
The scent of bacon and fresh coffee greeted everyone who stepped into the Pelahatchie Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday morning, September 6. From the moment you walked in, you could already tell it was going to be a great breakfast—and it didn’t disappoint. A thick guest book lay open at the entrance, its pages filling quickly with the names of early arrivals before they joined the lively hum of conversation and the aroma of a home-cooked meal.
Mayor Karl VanHorn welcomed the crowd, which included a long list of familiar faces from across Rankin County. Among them were Michelle Adcock, Rankin County Circuit Clerk, and Steve Gaines, District 4 Supervisor for Rankin County, along with several town aldermen and other local officials who joined neighbors and church members for a morning of prayer and fellowship.
Bro. Spencer Sullivan opened the program with a heartfelt invocation, and Alderman Eddie Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance. Nikki Shoemaker followed with a soaring rendition of the National Anthem and later returned to the microphone to perform an original song. It almost seemed as if she had written the piece especially for this occasion. The lyrics reminded everyone that you never really know what someone is going through on the inside that might shape the way they act on the outside—and that we should meet others with grace and compassion. The message, paired with her soulful delivery, earned warm applause from the audience.
The breakfast—prepared by Andy Johns, Gary Carpenter, Doyle Grissom, Eugene Pennington, and Jimmy Pace—was classic Southern comfort: hot, hearty, and served with a smile. The biscuits smothered in gravy, paired with a fresh glass of orange juice, were a personal highlight, and quickly became a favorite topic at the tables. Guests shared stories and laughter as the Fellowship Hall filled with the easy chatter of friends catching up.
Shoemaker’s music set the stage for keynote speaker Rep. Lee Yancey, a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives representing the 74th District. Yancey delivered a strong, faith-based speech that asked an important question: How do we want to be remembered? Drawing from Luke 23:42—“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”—he reminded listeners that the way we live our lives determines the legacy we leave behind. His message of faith and reflection struck a chord with the audience and was met with warm applause.
Door prizes from local businesses—from Crooked Letter Kitchen and Crawbillys to Rankin County Co-op and Down Right Southern—added a fun finish to the morning. Sponsors ranging from local churches and fitness centers to banks and small businesses helped make the event possible, and special thanks were given to Cooper Berry Farms, Charles Lindsey, and Rita Mashburn for providing the fresh muscadines and homemade jelly.
As Bro. Jerry Hamilton closed the gathering with a benediction, the feeling in the room was clear: the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast remains more than a yearly tradition. It’s a reminder of how Pelahatchie—neighbors, leaders, and friends—comes together in faith and fellowship to start the Muscadine Jubilee weekend on the right note.
Comment
Comments