By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALGIERS/WOODWORTH – Jesse Joyner amazed the many children and adult leaders who attended the recent M-JAM conference, using his juggling skills to encourage them to share Jesus.
“Everybody has a different gift and talent,” he said. “That’s the beauty of being a part of the body of Christ. We all represent different talents and gifts to do things God has called us to do in this life.
“Think about your talents and hobbies,” he continued. “God made each and every one of you different and unique and special so you can share the Word of God through the special way God has called you.”
More than 500 children and adult leaders met separately at two locations to learn how to be “set free” by Christ. The event at Connect Church in Algiers, March 30, and the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, May 4, allowed participating first-through-sixth graders and their leaders to attend the Missions Jamboree nearest them.
The day-long event featured IMB missionaries, a clear presentation of the Gospel, and people who serve in different areas of compassion ministries. All activities and messages centered around the theme “Set Free,” based on John 8:36.
“I always have a wonderful time planning and taking part in M-JAM,” Jess Archer, children/youth mission education strategist for Louisiana Baptists, told the Baptist Message. “This is a day where all students can get a ‘taste’ of missions. Each person can move in and out of the day’s rotations and hear about how God is at work locally, nationally, and internationally. This is truly a great event!”
Kandon Thompson attended M-JAM with six friends from Esler Road Baptist Church in Pineville. He raved about the stunts performed by Joyner.
“It was just crazy what he did on stage with the different props. Some of it seemed dangerous,” Thompson said. “Everything he did he brought to focus on Jesus, which was cool.”
Miriam Kinnison came to M-JAM with seven other members from the Family of Grace Church in Alexandria and she, too, enjoyed the juggling act.
“It was sort of dangerous,” she said. “I liked how he talked about Jesus, and also hearing from the missionaries about their culture.”
The next M-JAM is scheduled for May 2, 2020, at the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, and Oct. 10, 2019, at Woodland Baptist Church, Hammond. M-JAM is a Cooperative Program-funded event sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Team.
