Southside Baptist Church

GOD
There is only one. He reveals Himself to us as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each distinctly different in personality, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

JESUS
The one and only Son of God, he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died a criminal’s death, so that we may be redeemed from sin, then, arose from the grave and ascended into Heaven. We wait for the day when Christ will return again.

HOLY SPIRIT
The Spirit of God, fully divine. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.

MAN
We believe that man is a special creation of God, made in His image, but that through the sin of the first man, Adam, mankind fell so that all men are sinners and need salvation.

SALVATION
Salvation is the redemption of the whole man. It is a gift offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. Once the gift is accepted, it can't be taken away.

THE BIBLE
True and perfect, without error, it was written by human authors through the divine guidance of The Holy Spirit. It is our instruction manual for life. It is our supreme and final authority.

THE CHURCH
We believe that the church is the body of baptized believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head.

BAPTISM
We believe that water baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Christ and is a public profession of a personal relationship with Christ.

HEAVEN AND HELL
Heaven and Hell are literal places. Those who die in their sins without Christ spend eternity in Hell. Those who die with their sins forgiven through Christ spend eternity in Heaven.

Dr. Jeff Parker - Pastor
jeffparker@

Our Pastor:
Jeffrey Parker was born in Niagara Falls, New York on November 27, 1955. Growing up with a father who worked for NASA, he was afforded the opportunity to live in various states all across the country. Eventually, Jeff’s family settled in Yazoo, Mississippi where he remained until he graduated from Yazoo City High School in 1974. From there, he went on to receive a Bachelor from Mississippi State University in 1978, complete the Master of Divinity program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1982, and finally the Doctor of Ministry program at Reform Theological Seminary in 1994.

Through these years God continued to bless Pastor Jeff in his personal life. In 1978, he married his wife Shiela. Together they have four children, Amy, Emily, Ledger, and Jeffrey, and three grand children, Sam , Judah, and Ethan.

Pastor Jeff has served faithfully in the ministry for the last 30 years beginning with a short time in the US Army as an officer and a chaplain. In the years following, God used Pastor Jeff and his family to minister throughout the globe. Between 1991 and 1996, Pastor Jeff served with the International Mission Board in Zimbabwe, Africa and Cornwall, England. In 1996, Pastor Jeff was called as the pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi where he devotedly remains to this day.

Throughout his 30 years of ministry, Dr. Jeff Parker has addressed congregations all over the country. In 2001, he was invited as the speaker at the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Furthermore, Pastor Jeff has taught, on occasion, at many schools, seminaries, and colleges in both the United States and other parts of the world. Through the present, Pastor Jeff maintains relationships with pastors and churches that he worked with while on mission in Zimbabwe, Africa and periodically returns when needed to offer assistance to these. The vast need for assistance with the growing orphan population led to Pastor Jeff authoring a book, Kidnapped for Christmas, to aid in raising funds for Zimbabwe orphans.

Heather Rodgers - Secretary/Admin Assistant
heatherrodgers@

Steven Harper - CMA, Choir Director
stevenharper@

Irene Hughes - Dir. of Senior Adult Ministries
irenehughes@

Our adult ministry is rooted in our mission: To serve in our world as Christ served in His. And how did Christ serve in His world? He drew men to Himself, built them up in their faith, finally sending them out into the world to be His ambassadors. Spiritual growth is a life-long pursuit. Whether you find yourself early in life or a seasoned believer with white hair, God desires for us to know Him and glorify His Son. How do we glorify Christ? Christ centered service. Seeking the lost and bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (John 15). We want to be fishers of men.
Our Adult Ministry has a variety of classes that range in age from 18-80+


Ledger Parker - Dir. of Student Ministries
ledgerparker@

Go!
This is Jesus’ final command to believers before resuming his rightful place in Heaven. It should be the focus of all believers to GO and make disciples of all nations. What better opportunity is there than in our colleges, universities, and workplaces. Our College and Career ministry strives to spread the Gospel of Jesus through leadership in our classrooms and workplaces, as well as through service to our community. We want to make disciples!
(Matthew 28:18)
Our College and Career Ministry is for ages 18-30


Reggie Glenn - Dir. of Youth Ministries
reggieglenn@

The goal of our youth department is to build leaders in the community by preparing young adults with the authority of the Word of God so that they can go out and be the difference in their community, their family, and their peers. We strive to give them the confidence and knowledge they need to be positive examples, in both faith and action, to the world around them.
(1 Timothy 4:12)
Our Youth Ministry is for grades 7-12


Christina Tipple - Dir. of Children's Ministries
christinatipple@

The children’s ministry understands the importance of leading children to the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and preparing them for a lifelong relationship with Him. It is our goal to enrich our children’s faith by encouraging and strengthening their individual, God-given abilities and talents. The Bible is clear that Jesus was very passionate about the children around Him, and we believe that He has great plans for them, beginning at the earliest stages of childhood.
(Matthew 18:1-6)
Our Children’s Ministry is for grades 1-6

Eric Sills - Website Support/Dir. of Sound and Communications
ericsills@


Other ministry opportunities involve:

SOUTHSIDE READING PROGRAM
Many people in the community around Southside are unable to read. That means they may not have the opportunity to fully understand the power that can be found in God's Word, The Bible. We have recently established a reading program for community children and youth that begins at 4:15 every Wednesday night, right before our Wednesday evening service. With the success of this program and the help of volunteers, we hope to expand this program to adults in the community.

HOMELESS HOLIDAY MEALS
Every year on Thanksgiving and Christmas day Southside serves the homeless with a hot, home cooked meal. Southside members and volunteers from around the Greater Jackson Area help by bringing food and by fellowshipping with our honored guests.

FOOD PANTRY
Southside feeds 1000's of people each year through our food pantry, and with each person fed, comes an opportunity to spread the Gospel of Jesus. It is through church giving and outside donations that we are able to provide this life changing ministry.

SACK LUNCHES
We provide sack lunches daily for those in need.

CLOTHING CLOSET
Our church provides clothing for many homeless each year. More than just clothing, we also provide clean bathrooms and showers. We are helped in doing this through the donations of clothing and toiletries by Southside members, through donations of other area churches, and private donations.

HOMEBOUND
The Southside body of believers spreads beyond the physical walls of our church building. Our membership also includes men and women whose circumstances may not allow them to attend our regular church services. Southside has a team of dedicated men and women who meet the needs of such members by scheduling visits for fellowship, prayer, and bible study.

UNITY CONCERT
In what has become an annual event, Southside gives the community the opportunity to unite in a worship event with multiple live bands and choirs from JSU and Alcorn State. The Unity Concert was developed around the yearly Jackson State vs. Alcorn State football game. It is a Christian alternative to the routine parties and celebrations that traditionally go on the night before Jackson's "Big Game."

GLOBAL
And Jesus came and said to them,” All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

From right here in Jackson, MS, as far away as England and Vietnam, Southside understands this call for evangelism. We help to send missionaries all over the globe in an effort to spread The Good News.

While we support missions all over the world, one country holds a special place in the heart of our pastor and our church: Zimbabwe, Africa. We are involved in funding multiple churches, and are currently funding the development of an orphanage for the countless children orphaned due to HIV, AIDS, and the more recent cholera epidemic of 2008.


OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Extended Care Session Volunteers
Van Drivers/Workers
Drama Team
Dance Team
Art Team
Video Team
Choir

If you would like to be a part of these ministries, please contact our church office for details.

Our church offices are open Monday - Thursday 9:00 - 4:30