Hope Mississippi – Détails, épisodes et analyse

HOPE MISSISSIPPI is a bimonthly podcast educating Mississippians about the needs of fellow citizens, encouraging residents to work together to change the trajectory of our families and children, and sharing success stories.

Dawn and Stephen Beam are successful professionals (now retired) seeking to improve conditions in their beloved Mississippi. What started many years ago with the "WHAT IF" meetings evolved into an ambitious non-profit and now an uplifting "feel good" podcast. 

After decades of church-sponsored missions to Central America, the Beams were inspired to channel their energy and efforts to their home state of Mississippi.

To get the whole story, listen to the episode!

In HOPE MISSISSIPPI's pilot episode, our host, Retired Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam, welcomes the show's first guest, Stephen Beam. In addition to being Justice Beam's husband, Stephen is an author and a retired physician. He is passionate about being a force for good. Their journey is impressive, and their banter is engaging, sincere, and often humorous. 

The Beams share their respective humble beginnings and HOPE MISSISSIPPI's origin story. They are leading Mississippians by example and are convinced that with collaboration and communication, small acts of service can have a massive impact on those without hope.

HOPE MISSISSIPPI spotlights generational poverty, food scarcity, education, racial division, and other socio-economic issues that negatively affect many communities.

HOPE MISSISSIPPI also shares success stories and ways to do our small part for the greater good.

The opposite of HOPE is APATHY.

Relevant Scripture: Matthew 25:40
 “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" 

Suggested reading:  "Hope Rising: How the Science of HOPE Can Change Your Life." https://bit.ly/HellmanBook

Dawn and Stephen Beam are successful professionals (now retired) seeking to improve conditions in their beloved Mississippi. What started many years ago with the "WHAT IF" meetings evolved into an ambitious non-profit and now an uplifting "feel good" podcast. 

After decades of church-sponsored missions to Central America, the Beams were inspired to channel their energy and efforts to their home state of Mississippi.

In this trailer episode, you will learn about how the HOPE MISSISSIPPI pocast came to be and Dawn Beam's hope and prayer for Mississippi.

God bless and enjoy!

Reverend Eddie Spencer shares his powerful journey from childhood poverty to ministry, including his recent battle with cancer and sepsis that brought him near death yet deepened his faith and peace in Christ.

• God has a plan to use each of us uniquely—your testimony, whatever it includes, can impact someone who needs exactly your perspective
• Eddie's path included service with Young Life, opening three restaurants in the Mississippi Delta, and eventually pastoring multiple churches
• Despite coming from generational poverty, Eddie's life was transformed by mentors who invested in him, showing how we can be God's hands and feet
• Eddie faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis and prostate cancer, spending 42 days in the hospital and losing 83 pounds
• We should not use our weaknesses as excuses not to change—God can transform any aspect of our lives if we surrender it to Him
• When we align our desires with God's will, He provides exactly what we need, not necessarily what we think we want
• Eddie's peace in the face of terminal illness comes from certainty about his salvation—"to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ"

If you have not given your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, don't continue to put it off. There is nothing but a step between us and death. Search your heart—if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, just ask Him to come in and forgive your sins, and He will change your life.

Eddie Spencer's life story reads like a modern parable of redemption. From a childhood marked by humiliation and poverty to a young adulthood filled with violent crime, Spencer's trajectory seemed fixed. But what happens when divine intervention meets a willing heart?

The turning point came in first grade when classmates mocked him for wearing secondhand "girl shoes"—the only footwear his family could provide. This single moment ignited a rage that would fuel years of criminal behavior. By 17, Spencer was facing decades behind bars, with multiple stays at training schools already behind him. 

"I thought that the lifestyle that I have chosen, this is where I would be basically all my life, a thug, a gangster," Spencer recalls. Yet in 1982, everything changed when he stopped bargaining with God and instead offered unconditional surrender. What followed was an extraordinary transformation that saw him not only reform his own life but also become instrumental in changing countless others.

Perhaps most remarkable is how Spencer's ministry flourished both inside prison walls and after his 1988 release. From the prison sergeant who once beat him but later sent troubled inmates his way, to the muscular football player who approached him years later saying "you speaking changed my life," Spencer's testimony has proven a powerful catalyst for transformation.

The divine poetry of his release date—January 14, 1988—being the exact same date he would later lead prayer at Governor Reed's inauguration twelve years later, showcases the full-circle journey of a man who found his purpose through pain.

Listen as Dawn Beam uncovers this riveting story of second chances, and discover how a life once destined for destruction became a beacon of hope for thousands of troubled youth across Mississippi.

What does it look like when faith moves beyond Sunday services to transform an entire community? Amy Lancaster of We Will Go Ministries shares a powerful story of answering God's unexpected call to serve not overseas, but in downtown Jackson—their "Jerusalem."

The journey began when Amy and her husband David sold their home and prepared for international missions, only to hear God redirect them to Jackson's deepest needs. What started with simply giving neighbors sandwiches has grown into a comprehensive ministry that feeds 30,000 people annually, provides daily children's programming, and engages thousands of volunteers in meaningful service.

Against the sobering backdrop where one in four Mississippi children live in poverty, We Will Go creates spaces of hope by restoring abandoned buildings and offering practical assistance to approximately 900 families monthly—many headed by grandparents supporting multiple generations on meager fixed incomes. Yet their approach transcends mere charity. "We sit with every single neighbor and pray with them," Amy explains, emphasizing the dignity of relationship over transactional giving.

Perhaps most compelling is how the ministry dismantles barriers to service. "Maybe we've made it too hard," Amy reflects, encouraging listeners to simply "start with something." Whether reading to a child, tending a community garden, or replacing a fence, every skill becomes valuable in God's hands. The impact flows both ways, as volunteers—from church groups to corporate teams—often find themselves deeply transformed through these encounters.

Amy's own family embodies this transformation. All three Lancaster children, now adults with professional degrees, have chosen to return home and join We Will Go using their skills in accounting, ministry leadership, and media.

Ready to discover how your unique gifts might bring hope to your community?

Visit wewillgo.org to explore volunteer opportunities that match your interests and availability.

As Amy reminds us, "God doesn't have a plan B. His plan is to use me and you to be the difference in the world."

What happens when government agencies, churches, and community members break down silos and work together? Lives transform, families reunite, and hope takes root in even the most challenging circumstances.

Dawn Beam and Cindy Cheeks dive deep into the science of hope and its practical application in Mississippi's child welfare system. With startling statistics—one in four Mississippi children living in poverty and one in five experiencing food insecurity—they reveal how economic hardship directly feeds the state's foster care system, with over 70% of removals stemming from poverty-related issues rather than abuse.

Hope science isn't just wishful thinking; it's a research-backed approach that defines hope as "the belief that tomorrow can be better than today and you have the power to make it so." Through compelling stories, Dawn and Cindy showcase remarkable collaborations: transportation officials offering commercial driver training to parents seeking stability, housing authorities creating pathways to homeownership, and church groups wrapping around young mothers with practical support and mentorship.

What makes this conversation particularly powerful is the blend of systemic solutions and deeply personal experiences. Cindy vulnerably shares her journey of reconciliation with her estranged son during his final months, discovering how the very principles of hope she taught others—identifying goals, recognizing pathways, and maintaining willpower through support—sustained her through profound grief.

Whether you're a community leader looking for collaborative models, a person of faith wondering how to serve effectively, or someone simply needing encouragement that difficult circumstances can change, this episode offers both practical frameworks and heartfelt inspiration. Every one of us has something valuable to contribute to those struggling around us—what will your contribution be?

Reverend Martha Cherry's life reads like a journey through America's most pivotal moments of the last century. From witnessing the bombing of Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church where her friend Carol Robertson died, to studying under Dr. King's sister at Spelman College when he received the Nobel Peace Prize, Cherry's path has intersected with history at remarkable turns.

"I drew from my faith that we were going to have a brighter future," Cherry reflects, describing how hope sustained her through childhood fear amid bombings and civil unrest. That same hope would later carry her through unimaginable personal tragedy when both her pregnant granddaughter and grandson were murdered in separate incidents.

Rather than allowing grief to define her, Cherry transformed her pain into purpose. "My healing took place by talking about it," she explains. Now working in Hattiesburg Public Schools, she connects with children facing poverty and trauma. "These children need somebody to listen to what they have to say," Cherry emphasizes, recognizing that in a state where one in four children lives in poverty, simply being present can change trajectories.

Cherry's forthcoming book, "Tear Down These Walls," challenges faith communities to move beyond comfort zones and address real-world problems. "We need to leave our gated communities and magnificent church buildings to go where the problems are," she urges, calling Christians to year-round engagement rather than seasonal charity.

Through her remarkable journey from office administrator to police chaplain to educator and minister, Cherry demonstrates how seemingly disconnected experiences form a divine pattern. "God takes all of these experiences we have in life and they just come together like pieces of a puzzle," she shares. Her story reminds us that despite our differences, "We all hurt the same" – and in recognizing our common humanity, we find the strength to build hope together.

Be the change you want to see in the world. Get involved with your local community – you'll make a difference while receiving tremendous hope and joy in being God's hands and feet.

Dawn Beam welcomes Elder Scottie Tyrone for a heartfelt conversation about building hope through faith, community service, and crossing racial divides in Mississippi. Their profound discussion explores how genuine connections and spiritual transformation can bring healing to individuals and communities facing significant challenges.

• Lincoln Park church serves as a "hospital" where people can come as they are for healing and hope
• Miraculous testimonies of cancer patients experiencing unexpected recovery through prayer and faith
• Scottie's powerful ministry to Dawn's family during her mother's end-of-life celebration (the tambourines came out!)
• Breaking racial barriers by focusing on spiritual connections rather than physical differences
• Using musical gifts through "Tasteful Tuesday" and "Thankful Thursday" to encourage others
• The Zamar Awards program honoring unrecognized musicians who faithfully serve their communities
• Lincoln Park's expansion vision for community outreach, including a shelter, feeding program, and youth center
• Addressing Mississippi's challenges, where one in four children live in poverty
• The importance of both asking for help when needed and extending help to others

If you have gifts, get involved in meeting the needs of your community. If you are hurting, know there's a body of Christ around you in Mississippi available to help.

Relevant Scripture: James 4:2
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet, but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

Contact:
(601)-336-2056
[email protected]
https://sites.google.com/view/scottietyroneministries/home

Nestled on 42 acres in Purvis, Mississippi, Homes of Hope stands as a beacon of possibility for vulnerable children across the state. In this deeply moving conversation, Executive Director Dr. Scott Hanberry reveals how this unique residential ministry is transforming lives by providing much more than shelter – they're cultivating genuine hope.

Unlike traditional institutional settings, Homes of Hope creates actual family environments where children live in single-family homes with dedicated house parents who provide stability, safety, and unconditional love. "We serve at-risk children from all over Mississippi and their families," Hanberry explains, emphasizing that family reunification remains a priority whenever possible.

Using trust-based relational intervention, staff help children move from a constant state of fight-or-flight into a place where healing and growth become possible. As Hanberry poignantly notes, "Hope is thinking of the future, and many of these kids come in a state of survival." 

What sets this ministry apart is its holistic approach to development. From gardens and chickens that teach responsibility to innovative partnerships with local universities for tutoring, every aspect of campus life serves a deeper purpose. Even recreational spaces like their new fire pit facilitate healing conversations, which Hanberry describes as "therapy we couldn't pay for."

The most powerful moments come through success stories – a young woman with undiagnosed dyslexia now thriving in college, house parents gifting a minivan to help reunite a family, and teenagers recognizing their time at Homes of Hope not as an obstacle but as "a springboard into successful adult life."

Ready to make a difference? Discover how you can Pray, Provide resources, or Participate directly in this transformative work. As Hanberry reminds us, "We're not all called to be foster parents, but we're all called to do something."

To learn more about Homes of Hope or to arrange a tour, call 769-456-7021 or email Scott at [email protected].

Relevant scripture: James 1:27 
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Dwight Owens shares a powerful message of hope and resilience, drawing from personal experiences of trauma and loss, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration in building a brighter future for Mississippi. The episode discusses overcoming adversity, the impact of education, the struggles faced by the disability community, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

• Importance of spreading hope in communities facing challenges 
• Personal story of overcoming trauma and finding purpose 
• The role of education in rising above poverty 
• Addressing race relations through dialogue and understanding 
• The need for collaboration and kindness in healing communities 
• Experiences within the disability community and advocating for change 
• The power of forgiveness and moving forward from pain 
• Engaging with young people to inspire change and resilience 
• Collective action as a means to uplift others and create lasting change

Read Dwight's book - Still Standing

Relevant Scripture - Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.