Finding Hope

Finding Hope in Jesus for the challenging seasons of life.

Sessions

We invite you to discover how you and your family can find hope for your specific life season. You’ll also be exposed to applicable resources to promote spiritual health and growth.

Wednesday, April 9

Finding Hope - Fast & Pray

Dr. Kelly Wheat

6:00 PM - Sanctuary

Thursday, April 10

Finding Hope for Senior Adults

Guest Speaker – Dr. Jim Futral

11:30 AM – MPB

Lunch will be served.

  • PERSONAL

    Son of late Mississippi Baptist pastor, Rev. Guy Futral and Mary Sue Futral

    Married to the former Shirley Fay Moore of Bessemer, Alabama

    Three children: Melodi (Tim) McNair, Rob (Kimandria) Futral, and Mysti (Philip) Chustz

    Eight grandchildren: Madi, Trea, Ridge, Rivers, Banks, Coleman, Mary Lamar, and Clay

    Converted: age 9 Called to preach: age 18

    Licensed by Meadowview Baptist Church, Starkville, MS (1963)

    Ordained by Hickory Flat Baptist Church, Hickory Flat, MS (1964)

    EDUCATION

    Graduate of Clarke College (1964)

    Graduate of Blue Mountain College (1967)

    Graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1977)

    Graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min. 1980)

    HONORS

    Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Blue Mountain College (1989)

    Received an Order of the Golden Arrow Award, Mississippi College (1989)

    Received the Distinguished Alumni Award, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1990)

    Honorary Doctor of Divinity from William Carey University (2009)

    Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Mississippi College (2014)

    PASTORAL EXPERIENCE

    Whittentown Baptist Church, Ripley, MS (1964-65)

    Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, New Albany, MS (1965-67)

    First Baptist Church, Verona, MS (1967-71)

    First Baptist Church, Briar, TX (1971-72)

    Antioch Baptist Church, Columbus, MS (1972-74)

    Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Gulfport, MS (1974-78)

    First Baptist Church, Amory, MS (1978-81)

    North Fort Worth Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX (1981-85)

    Broadmoor Baptist Church, Jackson, MS (1985-1998)

    PREACHING/TEACHING

    Numerous revivals, Bible conferences

    Preaching mission to Costa Rica (1971)

    Supplementary Teaching Staff, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

    DENOMINATIONAL EXPERIENCE

    Trustee, Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village (1979-81; 1987)

    Member, Executive Committee, ACTS of Jackson, Miss., Inc.

    President, Mississippi Baptist Convention (1987-89)

    Member, Education Commission, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (1989-92)

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Jim Futral

    Member, Foundation Board, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

    Member, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board and Executive Committee (1990-96)

    Chairman, Executive Committee of Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (1993-96)

    President, National Alumni Association, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1994)

    Member, Executive Committee, Southern Baptist Convention (1996-1998)

    Executive Director-Treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (1998-2020)

    Executive Director-Treasurer Emeritus of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (2020-present)

    PUBLICATIONS

    Devotional writer for The Baptist Record (1980)

    Sermons published in 1983 edition of The Ministers Manual, edited by Charles L Wallis

    Articles in Caregiving, a Sunday School Board publication (1995; 1998)

    Author of Directions, weekly article published in The Baptist Record, which is mailed to all

    82 counties in Mississippi (1998-2020)

    Author of Directions for Each Day of the Year with Jim Futral, a 366-day devotional

Thursday, April 10

Finding Hope for Marriage & Couples

Guest Speakers - Ben & Lindsay Skipper from Carterville Baptist Church, Petal, MS

6:00 PM - MPB

Dessert and coffee will be served.

  • Ben and Lindsay Skipper serve Carterville Baptist Church in Petal, MS. Ben holds a PhD in New Testament from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Lindsay holds a Master of Arts in Christian Education from NOBTS. The Skippers parent 3 teenage sons and have dedicated much of their ministry to encouraging couples to thrive in their marriage with Godly counsel, times of connection, and biblical coaching. They have developed intentional resources to enrich the marriage relationship while leading marriage retreats and seminars around the South.

Friday, April 11

Finding Hope in Hard Times

Guest Speaker - Chase Sims

6:00 PM - Sanctuary

Saturday, April 12

Finding Hope in the Next Season for College & Young Adults

Guest Speaker - Chase Sims

11:00 AM - CBBR

Lunch will be served.

Finding Hope in Hard Times

Guest Speaker - Chase Sims

6:00 PM - Sanctuary

  • Chase Sims served in various ministry contexts around the country including student ministry, church planting, and as the college and young adult pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX. Along the way, Chase experienced hardship and difficulty on multiple levels, from the sudden loss of his father at 18 years old to traumatic health challenges in adulthood. As a young husband and father, Chase was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016. He has faithfully championed his faith through emergency surgery, treatment, and the emotional aftermath of the cancer battle. Chase and Corrinn have 5 children and were recently featured on an episode of HGTV Home Town. They currently live and serve the Lord in Laurel, MS, where Chase works to improve emotional and mental health opportunities for Mississippians.

Sunday, April 13

Finding Hope for the World

Dr. Kelly Wheat

10:30 AM Worship Service- Sanctuary

Sunday, April 13

Finding Hope in Parenting

Guest Speakers - Will & Courtney Kassner, Owners of Crew & Co.

6:00 PM Evening Worship Service - Sanctuary

  • Will and Courtney Kassner are the owners and creators of Crew + Co., a small, faith-based business that focuses on encouraging and colorful family devotional products. They grew up in the Memphis area and now live close by in north Mississippi. Their three children, Crew, Grey, and Sutton, were the inspiration to start their business in 2015. Will and Courtney are the authors of When the World Wakes Up and Abundant Grace: 40 Days of Walking in the Goodness of God. When not at work, Will and Courtney love being outdoors with the kids, growing wildflowers, and camping.

    You can learn more about them at crewandco.com

Sunday, April 13

Finding Hope for Students

Guest Speaker – Jack Schultz from Oxford, MS

6:00 - MPB

  • Originally from New Jersey, Jack moved to Oxford, MS when he was in 8th grade and claims Oxford as his hometown. He previously served in youth ministry for two years and as College Pastor at FBC Oxford for 5 years before earning his law degree from the University of Mississippi (which he affectionately calls the “Harvard of the South”). He’s spent the last 4 and a half years working in the legal profession but still has a heart for student ministry and routinely teaches/preaches at various churches and ministry events.

Sunday, April 13

Finding Hope for Children

PJ Keen

6:00 PM - CBBR