The Giant Cross

On the largest cross in Mississippi

This post from WLBT 3 On Your Side led to almost 400 replies and reposts, with over 80% of them negative. While some of the replies were from people claiming to be atheists, most of the negative replies were from people claiming to be Christians, many of whom I personally know to be Christians, and at least three of them active or retired ministers.

Some people see it as a beacon drawing people to Christ. More people see it as a prideful boast from the people who built it that they could have the "biggest cross in the state." There doesn't seem to be much consideration about the structure's aesthetics, seemingly sacrificing beauty for height and visibility. Some people brought up the historical connection between these country-road crosses and the KKK.

It's good to have these conversations. It's good to try and understand each other's perspectives. Everyone who replied wanted the best for the people of Mississippi, even though they had very different perspectives on how to accomplish it.

One of the most influential churches in Mississippi was a small neighborhood church on Bailey Avenue. As its neighborhood changed, attendance at Wells church began to die off, and the church faced extinction; then, in 1969, a young minister named Keith Tonkel was assigned to the church and had a vision for a new type of Methodism.

Tonkel never had much money for his ministry, but he had boundless energy, and he had a vision, and that was enough to build one of the most influential ministries in Mississippi history. His influence led local musicians and artists to hold a festival every year to raise money for his ministry. It was never a great deal of money, but it was enough, and Wellsfest drew in people who might otherwise have been less interested in the Christian message.

Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits." The fruits of Keith's ministry have been bountiful and plentiful. All of this from a humble church in a humble neighborhood, from a quiet man who believed in God.

For me, a fifty-thousand-pound metal cross on a rural highway in Mississippi might remind some Christians they are on a winning team, but for the actual work of Christ, look to the quiet ones, the humble ones, the ones who wear blue jeans to church, and play songs without words

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