IHS Ministries partners with Church of Lanesville

By Guest Columnist Sophielena Abuzeid

We have seen the Lord at work through our partnership with the Orthodox Congregational Church of Lanesville over the past 25 years. A group from the Massachusetts-based church has been coming to Mississippi each year to host a VBS in Canton and serve the surrounding community through home improvement projects and work at IHS campsite. 

The Lanesville group came from July 9-18, and the VBS camp took place during that week. Each year they attend, they always come with the desire to meet the needs at IHS and in Canton. 

Peter Aberle, the pastor of youth and family at OCC Lanesville, is a long-time friend of the Bacons and partner with In His Steps Ministries. He was first introduced to the Bacons in 1996 through one of his mentees at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, who happened to be from Mississippi. After getting connected, the first VBS and service mission took place in 1997. 

VBS started in Redbud Park and moved over to the Sawmill Quarters neighborhood in 1999. 

Mr. Aberle said, “through the providence of God the ministry has morphed from what I thought it would be. God’s providence brings people together to accomplish his works. It’s pretty exciting!” 

Rev. Jasper Bacon shared, “These dear brothers and sisters epitomize Jesus’ example and the statement in Mark 10:42 which states, ‘The Son of Man didn’t come to be served but to serve.”’

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sophie Abuzeid is the Media and Communications Specialist for In His Steps Ministries. Abuzeid is an alumna of Mississippi College and now resides in her hometown of San Antonio, TX.