MSX grew out of a desire to live out the gospel authentically in the world.  Through discussions with friends and other youth pastors, Caleb Land and Tyler VerSteeg both agreed that it was time to send out students into the community to demonstrate the love of Jesus in the world rather than focusing on what we want and how we can have a good time. So, for a week in July of 2007 Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church and Lawrence Drive Baptist Church partnered with St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Macon for the first Missional Student Experience.

A group of 50 students and leaders ministered to nearly 100 students in a low income part of Macon and gathered for training, Bible teaching and worship throughout the week. In addition to this partnership, teams from the churches took turns cleaning up the neighborhood and various parts of the city and also passed out cold water to people on walking trails and in the parks of downtown Macon. In a global missions effort, the groups also combined to give 1,000 dollars to blood:water mission, an organization dedicated to providing relief in Africa through clean blood and water. Many of our students will never be the same.

But the story continues. Further events happened in Macon last fall at Thanksgiving and Christmas and in the Spring through partnerships with St. Mary's, Macon Rescue Mission and The Miracle League of Macon. MSX 2008 promises to be even better as the churches again unite to impact the community, gather school supplies for local children paint houses and buildings at St. Mary's and provide a VBS experience for some 100 students.

We are striving to impact our community through strategic events. If you are a student worker or youth leader in Macon, please contact Caleb Land at 474-7577 to find out about upcoming events. We are also striving to assist other churches around the globe as they minister to their local communities. Contact Caleb at cland@mabelwhite.org if you would like more information.