Tuesday just as important as Sunday at Northside Christian Church

Northside Christian Church and its surrounding buildings dominate Cottrell Street in West Point, MS.

As soon as one enters the building it’s obvious the structure accommodates a large congregation every Sunday, but today is Tuesday and there’s still people in the pews and cars in the parking lot.

That’s because this church doesn’t just minister to its own parishioners. Every Tuesday church leaders from all over Northwest Mississippi come to Northside Christian Church for information and inspiration to share with their respective congregations on Sundays.

Rev. Orlando Richmond, Senior Pastor at Northside Christian, speaks from the pulpit during usual church services, but Margaret Shelton is doing much of the instruction today. The Tuesday outreach program is her brainchild.

“This started as a vision of mine,” Shelton explained. “Something the Lord encouraged me to do.”

This vision has become reality, as pastors and reverends come from Columbus, Phoebe, Aberdeen and the surrounding area to enhance their own sermons and Sunday School lessons. Margaret’s husband, Reverend Henry Shelton is the Pastor of a church in Walker Grove. He underscores the longevity and importance of the program.

“We’ve been doing this for the better part of fifteen years, and we support at least eight congregations,” Shelton said.

If ecclesiastical service weren’t enough, a home cooked lunch is also served every Tuesday to the attendees across the street at the Fellowship Hall. It’s here where one of the participants, Eddie Buchanan, relates how important this service is.

“If I go to church without coming here the prior Tuesday I feel like I’m not dressed properly,” Buchanan said.

Like many congregations, Tuesdays at Northside felt the impact of Covid-19. As another attendee Earnestine Metcalfe recalls that pre-pandemic the closing prayer would see the entire church floor encircled by those that came to take in the lesson. The numbers are steadily increasing according to Mrs. Shelton. Even if there are fewer people at Northside Christian Church on Tuesdays these days, its impact is still felt.

As Karen Montgomery relates, “When I first started here I was sick and on Oxygen, but this has been my medicine.”