Debra McGee serves as keynote speaker at New Hope Baptist Church Women’s Day service: Janelle Jefferson chosen as New Hope Mother of the Year

By Jackie Hampton,
Publisher,

“Christian Women Edifying, Empowering and Equipping Others for Outreach Ministry” was the theme for the Women’s Day service at New Hope Baptist Church, held on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024. The speaker for the occasion was Debra McGee, vice president and director of Business Development at BankPlus in Jackson.
Most of the women in the congregation at the Beasley Road location where Dr. Jerry Young serves as pastor, were dressed in white, with pink corsages.
After the call to worship by Pastor Young, Joann Mickens took to the podium to serve as program guide.
Cheryl Carpenter and Ashley Molden welcomed visitors and recognized special guests. The occasion was given by Annie Gail Myles.
A Mother’s Day tribute was given by Deacon Calvin Hill, at which time he announced that Janelle Hannah Jefferson had been chosen Woman of the Year.
Jefferson, who is a native of Kosciusko, MS currently serves as a board member of Hinds County Resource Agency and is a leader in secondary education. She has served as a room mom for several years, a high school band booster club president and an elementary school PTA president. In her latter role, she led the effort to have the school’s name changed from Jefferson Davis to Barack Obama I.B. Elementary School.

Jefferson, who was listening from the choir stand for the surprise announcement, was tearful as she exited the choir to receive roses and a plaque presented by Deacon Hill and Deacon Robert Patterson, both members of the Men’s Ministry.
Debra McGee took to the podium after being introduced by Erica Hendricks as the keynote speaker.
McGee stated when first asked to serve as keynote speaker she was reluctant to accept the invitation, but a friend told her that she had been doing God’s work behind the scene for a long time and it was time to emerge from behind the scenes and step out.
She thanked her friend Kathy Jackson for those encouraging words as she stepped out and shared her thoughts on the importance of encouraging and embracing others. She told the audience, “Everything we do for God is essential to our personal growth. Edification is part of what we do as Christian women, lifting each other up and offering words of encouragement and hope.”
McGee told the audience that One’s faith must not be placed in man or material things. In making her point she quoted biblical passage 1 Peter 3: 3-4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
As she closed her message McGee stated that Christians should be creating a legacy to leave for future generations.
“May we continue to be women who edify, empower and equip one another, filling each other up with love.”
A special presentation was given to McGee by Alma Miller, Women’s Missionary Union president.
Pastor Young, in his remarks, stated how much he appreciated the Women’s Day choir, the program committee, all the participants and the speaker whom he commended for such a great message.
The program planning committee included Emma Adams, Jerlen Canada, Deborah Davis, Gisele Gentry, Joann Mickens, Alma Miller, Ruth Patterson and Greta Terry.