http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/index/ en dustin.secrest@gmail.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-06T03:20:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/tell/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/tell/#When:03:20:00Z Hi, today I spent some time on The Christian Action Commission website.  There’s a ton of good information on there.  You should check it out. http://christianaction.com tell 2008-05-06T03:20:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/voice_your_values/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/voice_your_values/#When:03:02:00Z Tips For Communicating To Elected Officials You are often asked to participate in this democratic process by contacting your state and federal officials and expressing your opinion on legislative issues. Here are a few suggestions to consider before addressing a bill or issue with your legislators: Before contacting your legislator, pray that you will be able to communicate your message in the right spirit so that it will be well received. Determine the voting districts you live in and Identify Your Elected Officials. The person who answers the legislator’s phone is often an office assistant or staff member.  Treat them with respect. When speaking to an official, be kind, courteous and remember to say, “Thank you” for their time. When you contact them on tough issues, share your feelings and give a reasonable explanation for your conviction. Know the subject matter, the number of the bill, if applicable, and be able to state your position in two to three minutes. A good rule of thumb is “one contact – one issue.” The section below, Identify Your Elected Officials, will help you find out who your elected officials are. Then, determine the most effective form of communication by asking someone in their office. Some do not utilize e-mail, but they ALL talk on the phone, read letters, and visit with their constituents---thus the three best ways to contact them. Identify Your Elected Officials Local Elected Officials To determine who your local elected officials are, go here and enter your 5-digit zip code and select GO. State AND Federal Representatives and Senators To determine who your State AND Federal Legislators are, go here and enter your 5-digit zip code and select GO. NOTE: You may next be asked to enter your full 9-digit zip code or home address if your zip code has more than one Senator or Representative.  If you know your full 9-digit zip code enter it and select GO. If not you can either enter your home address then select GO, or go to the US Postal Service site enter your address and it will give your 9-digit zip code.  Enter it and proceed. You can also contact your County Circuit Clerk whose office is responsible for administering this information.  Give your name and street address and the Circuit Clerk will be able to assist you.  You can find their number by going to Local Elected Officials and entering your zip code. Contact Your Mississippi Elected Officials Local Elected Officials State Elected Officials State Elected Representatives and Senators (Official Site) State Elected Representatives and Senators (Voting Records, etc.) Mississippi Legislation Legislative Bill Status Looking to stay informed on the status of Mississippi legislation?  The State of Mississippi has a great website designed for this purpose.  Click here to search proposed legislation and find out where bills are in the legal process. Live Webcasts of House and Senate Sessions Want to watch the Mississippi Legislature in action when in session?  Now it’s possible with the State’s new webcast technology.  Just click here and you’re on your way. Voter Registration Have you recently moved from another state or to another area within Mississippi and need to register to vote?  No worries.  Just click here and in three easy steps you can complete, print, and mail voter registration form! Contact Your United States Elected Officials President of the United States Federal Elected Representatives and Senators (Official Site) Federal Elected Representatives and Senators (Voting Records, etc.) Misc. Links Mississippi House of Representatives Mississippi House of Representatives District Map Mississippi Senate Mississippi Senate District Map Mississippi Supreme Court United State House of Representatives US House of Representatives District Map United States Senate United States Supreme Court 2008 Mississippi Legislative Guide Static Content 2008-05-06T03:02:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/serve/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/serve/#When:02:52:01Z Disaster Relief Disaster Relief Manual www.namb.net (Disaster Relief) Food Pantry Beginning a Hunger Ministry Hunger Relief Fast Facts www.namb.net (Hunger Ministry) Medical & Dental Ministry Medical and Dental Ministries Ministry to Disabled Disabilities Awareness Pregnancy Care Ministry Static Content 2008-05-06T02:52:01-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/give/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/give/#When:02:45:00Z There are many ways Christians can give and make a difference in someone’s life, but giving basically comes down to providing another time and finances.  Under the headings “Pray for Others” and “Serve Others,” people can see how they can give of their time.  Below are several opportunities to give financially and make a difference in the lives of others. If you have any questions contact the Christian Action Commission at (601) 292-3329 or toll-free at (800) 748-1651, ext. 329. E-mail: cacinfo@christianaction.com. Memorial to the Missing Memorial to the Missing memorializes children who have been aborted in America since abortion became legal in 1973.  Initially, the goal was set to collect 50 million pennies (or $500,000) from individuals and churches that would represent 50 million children.  To God’s glory, this goal was reached in October of 2008!  The $500,000 in donations will be used to establish an endowment to fund Mississippi pro-life ministries in order to help save the life of the unborn. Even though the initial goal has been reached, the memorial will continue to receive donations to further much needed ministry to women struggling with pregnancy decisions.  There will be no administrative costs coming out of the donated funds which makes every dollar you donate go toward investing in saving the life of an unborn child.If you are led to make a donation to reach the life of a mother and her unborn child, you may send donations to: Memorial to the Missing Mississippi Baptist Convention P.O. Box 530 Jackson, MS 39205-0530 “Choose Life” Mississippi Car Tag Buy a Tag and Help Women Choose Life! Grant Mississippi’s unborn babies a “License to Live” by helping their mothers “Choose Life.” Simply take your current tag to your local tag office and order a new Choose Life tag for just an additional $31. You don’t even have to wait until your current tag expires! Your new tag will be mailed to you. It’s that easy! World Hunger Southern Baptists Give 6 million to World Hunger Fund Give to the World Hunger Fund through your local Southern Baptist church’s Cooperative Program, and designate the gift to the World Hunger Fund.  To learn more about World Hunger and how you or your church group can adopt a hunger project, visit this link on Promoting World Hunger Psalm 139 Project Psalm 139 says that God knows the unborn child before they are even born! Although human wisdom can never come close to that of God’s, this project attempts to give the mother similar knowledge of her unborn child. Psalm 139 Project places sonogram machines in pregnancy care centers to offer the mother a window to the womb that they might know their child.  Statistics show that women are much less likely to abort their child if they have the opportunity to see their child using sonogram technology. Your financial assistance can help place this expensive technology in pregnancy care centers across the U.S. and greatly increase the chances of saving an unborn life.  Visit http://psalm139project.org/ Psalm 139 Project now and see how you can make a difference. Static Content 2008-05-06T02:45:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/pray/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/pray/#When:02:34:00Z Praying for Your State Praying for Mississippi Legislature Praying for Mississippi Praying for Your Nation Praying for National Leaders Operation Prayer Shield National Day of Prayer Praying for Your Family Praying For Revival In Your Marriage and Family Praying for Your Family Becoming a Praying Husband Praying for Your Wife Praying for Your Husband Praying for Your Marriage Praying to Save Your Marriage The Praying Parent The Praying Parent Prayer Guide Praying for Your Children Praying for Your Community Cultivating A Passion for the Lost Praying for Public Servants, Police, and Firefighters Praying for Schools Praying for Your Community 40 Days of Purpose Praying for Your Church Seven Days of Prayer for Your Pastor Praying for Your Pastor and Staff Seeking God for Revival Praying for an Evangelistic Church Static Content 2008-05-06T02:34:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/pray_for_others/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/pray_for_others/#When:03:33:00Z Pray for others Static Content 2008-04-23T03:33:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/serve_others/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/serve_others/#When:03:33:00Z Serve Others Static Content 2008-04-23T03:33:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/rob_chambers/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/rob_chambers/#When:21:56:00Z Rob is a Consultant with the Christian Action Commission – a ministry of the Mississippi Baptist Convention dedicated to providing resources on social and moral concerns and their implications on public policy issues from City Hall to Congress.  With training in theology, ethics, and philosophy, Rob brings both insight and practical ideas to churches and Christian organizations on biblical ethics as they relate to moral, cultural, philosophical, and political issues. Rob holds the Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is in the thesis writing stage for the Master of Philosophy from the University of Mississippi.  He is originally from Ackerman, MS and married Ann Wyndham Fletcher of Indianola, MS.  They live in Madison, MS.  Rob can be contacted at (601) 292-3331 or rchambers@christianaction.com. Static Content 2008-04-09T21:56:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/rita_mccollum/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/rita_mccollum/#When:21:55:00Z Rita McCollum is the Administrative Secretary for the Christian Action Commission.  She has worked for the CAC since July of 1994.  Rita attended Mississippi State University and has an associate degree in Office Administration from the University of Louisville. She is married to John McCollum and they live in Brandon, MS.  Rita can be contacted at (601) 292-3329 or at rmccollum@christianaction.com. Static Content 2008-04-09T21:55:00-06:00 http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/dr_jimmy_porter/ http://www.christianaction.com/index.php/site/dr_jimmy_porter/#When:21:45:00Z Vita Executive Director-Treasurer (since 4/1/2000) - Mississippi Baptist Christian Action Commission, Inc. Jackson, Mississippi Family Married to Tommye Lynn Burns of Philadelphia, MS Two daughters: Nikki Burke and Maribeth Porter Grandchildren: John Porter and Andrew Educational 1984 – Doctor of Ministry, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary 1978 – Master of Divinity, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1974 – Bachelor of Arts, Blue Mountain College, Blue Mountain, MS 1964 – Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia, MS Ministerial Pastored over 37 years and led the churches in outreach and evangelism all those years. Preached over 300 revivals. Participated in Billy Graham School of Evangelism in Birmingham, AL. Visited/interviewed the developer of GROW and then implemented it at First Baptist Church, McComb, MS. Certified in FAITH. Attended college and seminary classes in evangelism. Downloads Dr. Porter’s Résumé Photo - Black & White Photo - Color Static Content 2008-04-09T21:45:00-06:00