By Morgan Mizell

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Cousins and Pastors, the Rev. Leroy White and the Rev. Melvin White are joining forces and congregations for a revival service.

The revival will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12-14 at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church.

Dr. Frank E. Ray Sr. is scheduled to return as the special guest this year.

Ray is a recording artist as well as the senior pastor at New Salem Baptist Church in Memphis.

“He blessed us so much last year, we asked him to come back this year,” Leroy White said. “We believe we will have an even greater turnout this year because those who were here last year have gotten the word out.”

Melvin White said members of the churches will be going into the neighborhoods witnessing prior to the revival in hopes of reaching lost souls and bringing them to Christ.

The idea of joining together is something  both pastors feel strongly about. In fact, Leroy White has a history of pulling churches together.

“When I came home from California and began preaching here, I was the pastor of five churches,” he said. “I was running all over the place and we came together and joined the churches together and became New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church.”

This idea of togetherness and unity is what both ministers say they believe is the central idea behind the revival.

“Everyone is welcome,” Melvin White said. “We want everyone in the community to know that it is free and open to the public.”

Both ministers said the world, especially our country, is dealing with so much division and they feel a spirit of unity is badly needed.

“If they come, they will be blessed,” Melvin White said. “We just need people to show up.”

They are confident people will come.

“We have put the word out, and we had people come from as far away as Jackson and Monroe,” Leroy White said. “We look to see them come back as well as others coming from Wilkinson County and other areas.”

The special music will be provided by a joint choir made up of members of both churches.

“We are looking to save souls that are lost and a reviving of our current members.” Leroy White said. “We know, if they come, they will be delivered, and we know there are people in our church, community and even our nation that are needing to be encouraged, and they can do that if they get to know God on a personal level.”