An exhilarating Disciple Now 2025 impacted some 185 youth and college participants. This year’s theme was “180” as the event marked its 10th anniversary in Choctaw County.
Since its inception, the focus of DNow has been to teach the younger generation what it means to be part of a Christian community and to serve others. This tradition of collectively gathering youth in the spirit of community to work and fellowship in unison has been an ongoing collaboration of Ackerman Baptist Church, Chester Baptist Church, and Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
“We are proud of the successive years of DNow, with the only break because of the pandemic mandate,” said Jason Stewart, a longtime DNow organizer and youth minister of Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church. “Every year, it takes many volunteers and generous contributions to ensure our county initiates engagement and interaction on this spiritual level with our youth through DNow.”
During January 24-25, teens, primarily ages 6th-12th grade, came together to worship, learn, fellowship, and serve for DNow 2025, while college students volunteered as small group leaders. Their shared vision and focus for the weekend was “180.”
“We are called to be 180 degrees different, which translates into a complete change from one direction to a God-driven direction as we become Christians. And we’ve been able to spiritually reflect upon this calling firsthand with our youth throughout the weekend,” said Stewart.
For DNow 2025, teens and adults from five churches worshipped and fellowshipped at Chester Baptist Church, this year’s host church with youth ministers Chris and Amanda Robinson. Along with Chester, the four other churches represented were Ackerman Baptist Church, Blythe Creek Baptist Church, Enon Cumberland Presbyterian, and French Camp Baptist Church.
The featured speaker was Brock Lillis, a Mississippi native of Philadelphia who resides in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He became a Christian as a result of religious efforts by his fellow college athletes. Since that time, he has served as an evangelist and missionary. Presently, Lillis is lead pastor at Bethel Community Church in Murfreesboro and ministers to students and athletes at Middle Tennessee State University through his Rock Campus Ministry. In 2024, Lillis visited Choctaw County as a speaker for the “Not Because of Me” Crusade at Dale Davidson Field. Along with Lillis, DNow 2025 featured a nine-member band from the Baptist Student Union at Mississippi State University.
Beyond the in-church worship, DNow 2025 attendees were divided into groups and dispersed to pursue acts of kindness and service projects in various locations. Prayer walks through Ackerman with youth praying over residences and businesses were a highlight. Additionally, some youth visited and played games with Choctaw Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents, while others cleared leaves from the downtown Governors Park and Walking Track. Furthermore, Choctaw County families qualifying through the food pantry at Broken Wings will benefit from some 224 pounds of food items purchased by youth with donations. And for downtime, DNow 2025 participants exhibited teamwork and enjoyed Mega Relay competitions at Dale Davidson Field.
Organizers have slated the next DNow for 2026. The event is typically held in late January or early February of each year. Persons interested in attending DNow 2026 or assisting with next year’s event and service projects can contact Stewart at Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church at (662) 285-3303.
