Guy King
Staff Writer
Tradition, fellowship and worship is how Jackson State University kicked off its 2014 Homecoming on Oct. 5
Pastor Dwayne K. Pickett, Sr. and the New Jerusalem Church family provided an uplifting message and helped JSU rock the Rose E. McCoy auditorium with praise as the Blueprint: One Tiger, One Roar celebration began.
Jackson State was founded in 1877 as Natchez Seminary and in keeping with tradition, this homecoming began with a worship service.
“Bringing a church service to campus was a great idea because there are so many other events that are happening throughout the campus this week, it’s only right to saturate the campus with Gods’ glory to kick off homecoming the proper way,” said Brittany Moman, a New Jerusalem church member.
The music ministry began with a song entitled “Fill Me Up,” as praise dancers performed with the choir.
“The music ministry was phenomenal. They gave God the praise. The ministry was energetic, entertaining and they really got the crowd involved in the worship experience,” said Christy Lee a junior early childhood education major from Jackson, Miss.
After greetings from 2014 Student Government Association President Keonte Turner and 2014 Miss Jackson State University Anissa Butler, Pastor Pickett began his sermon.
In his topic: The Power of Forgiveness, Pickett stated that forgiveness was difficult, but once people learn to forgive each other, God will forgive you.
“There are some people in my life that have done me wrong, and I’ve been holding grudges that are doing nothing but hurting me in the end. After listening to this sermon, I realized that I need to actually forgive them without wanting anything in return. I need to finally move on from that hurt and work on being happy with the life God gave me,” said Kanika Williams, a junior education major from Jackson, Miss.
Ending the service with an alter call, Pastor Pickett also gave the students an invitation to attend New Jerusalem Church as well as find Christ.
“I loved the fact that my church came to JSU,” said Justin Roach, a freshman industrial technology major from Jackson, Miss. Native. “I felt the message that was preached and it really was a great way to start my first homecoming as a JSU student. I took Pastor Pickett’s advice and began to ask for many of my peer’s forgiveness as well as others.”
