timeline

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1962:     John Perkins began the Voice of Calvary in Mendenhall, MS and became the first president of what is now known as The Mendenhall Ministries.

1963:     Artis Fletcher became a Christian under Perkins’ early ministry.

1964:     Dolphus Weary became a Christian under Perkins’ early ministry.

1968-1970:     Dolphus Weary worked in Mendenhall during his college vacation summers.

1971:     Dolphus and his wife Rosie returned to Mendenhall to work in full-time Christian ministry.

John Perkins and his family moved to Jackson because of increased danger to his life and family due to his civil rights activities. Dolphus Weary became the Director of the Ministry in Mendenhall and John Perkins concentrated his efforts on traveling and fundraising.

1974:     Artis Fletcher returned to Mendenhall and became full-time pastor of Mendenhall Bible Church.

1975:     The Robert A. Buckley Christian Center (Gym) was built to serve the recreational needs of youth and adults. The Ministry’s central office was moved to Jackson and the public relations were done in Jackson and all the outreach was in Mendenhall.

1976:     Mendenhall Cooperative Health Center began; today known as Mendenhall Family Health Center, provides health care to over 11,000 low-income patients annually.

1977:     Genesis One Christian School began as a kindergarten; it became an elementary school for grades 1-3.  Today it serves students Nursery 3 thru 5th grade.

1978:     The Ministry in Mendenhall became a separate entity from the Ministry in Jackson.

1981:     The Ministry’s name was changed from “Voice of Calvary” to “The Mendenhall Ministries” (TMM)

Dolphus Weary is named the second president of The Mendenhall Ministries. TMM purchased 120 acres of land and the MBC Farm began with a plan to help provide for the nutritional needs of people in Simpson County and surrounding counties and to encourage local landowners to utilize farming to subsidize their incomes. 

1982:     TMM organized a Board of Directors and first overall audit was conducted.  TMM joined the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). TMM’s Community Law Office was opened to address the legal needs of families and youth in Simpson County and surrounding counties.

1989:     Pastors Development Ministry (PDM) began focusing on helping pastors become more effective and efficient in their roles as leaders in their churches and communities.

1991:     TMM received 541st Point of Light Award from former President George Bush.

1997:     Dolphus Weary resigned as President and Timothy Keys, Executive Vice President, assumed a broader leadership role

1999:     Timothy Keys became TMM’s third president

2000:     TMM Volunteer Center renovation. An official After School program began with Genesis One Christian School serving as the hub for its students and the general community. The Thrift Store moved its operations to the gym; the building was then leased to Five County Head Start Center

2001:     TMM began the promotion of a community-based, comprehensive family support program in Simpson County, which is called the Simpson County Families First Resource Center. TMM operated Youth Prevention/Intervention Program through a Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) state grant 

2002:     TMM built a 31-Unit senior citizen apartment building now known as Harper Village Apartments with HUD funding. TMM’s Youth Upward Bound Program began to mentor young African-American males, ages 12-17, to envision themselves in positive positions in life. TMM opened the Claude W. Phifer Library and Technological Learning Center

2004:     Timothy Keys resigned as president and Artis Fletcher became interim president

2004-2007:     Daryl Thigpen served as TMM’s fourth president. Genesis One Christian School expanded to Prep School for grades 9-12 and a post-grad program offering opportunities in sports

2005:     Genesis One Christian School’s first high school graduation 

2007:      Ernestine Skiffer is named interim president 

2008:      Eagles Youth Basketball League started as an outreach to local children

2010 -13:     Derek Lane served as fifth president of TMM

2013 -17:     Dr. Carrie Ann Turner and Artis Fletcher served as interim presidents

2017:      Dr. Scottye Holloway became sixth president of TMM in May 2017

2020:     Genesis One Christian School relocated from 717 Center St. to 104 S. Grand Avenue 

2021:     Re-dedication of refurbished R.A. Buckley Recreation Center, December 17, 2021