This is the vision of organizers for the Night of Unity. It’s a Saturday mass religious revival at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, that aims to bring people of all faiths, races, and backgrounds into the Christian fold. Unite Mississippi, a nonprofit founded by powerful church, business and political leaders in Mississippi, is hosting the event. Chip Miskelly of Miskelly Furniture, chair of Unite Mississippi said that “it’s going to be a move by God like we’ve never seen in a long while.” We hope that this will be the catalyst, not the end — but the beginning of something which will unify our state. It will also be an example to the rest of the nation, saying, “If they can unify Mississippi, and have a great revival. Why can’t it happen here?” The event is free and will feature motivational speakers such as Tony Evans, and performances by Israel Houghton (Mississippi Mass Choir). The event will include an altar call, where participants can share their stories. Unite Mississippi deputy director and Pastor Larry Nicks described the event as “a 21st Century Billy Graham crusade, on steroids.” He said that the Night of Unity was meant to invoke the crusades of Graham the internationally-respected Christian evangelist, who spoke out against segregation in his sermon in Jackson in 1952. Tens of thousands of people attended Graham’s Mississippi crusade. Miskelly, who was a participant in a second Graham crusade, remembers its impact on him. A group of pastors from the state has been working for revival since 1975. They have met with Billy Graham and prayed regularly. Miskelly and Bishop Ronnie Crudup Sr. of New Horizon Church agree that the revival will not only bring all religions together, but also boost Mississippi’s economy. Crudup stated, “It’s no trickle-down.” It’s a flow-down and it starts to affect yes, the economy as well. This is something we already know. We already know that this is not just religious. It touches the entire church house.” State records show that Unite Mississippi has been registered as a religious organization. According to the Internal Revenue Service, Unite Mississippi does not appear in searches for federally registered nonprofits. Nicks estimates that the non-profit will spend more than $750,000 for the event, including promotional efforts and in-kind donations from partners. Nicks stated that it is not unusual for something this large to cost between $3 million and $4 million. Unite Mississippi names Gov. Phil Bryant, AT&T Mississippi president Mayo Flynt and former executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority Leland Speed are among its sponsors and donors. Bryant’s participation in the event was not confirmed by a spokesperson for Bryant. Bryant had earlier this week declared April a “Month Of Unity,” though in previous years, he has made proclamations calling April “Confederate Heritage Month.” Bryant’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Jackson Police Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, will provide security. SWAT teams, bomb squads, and other special units will also be present. Pelicia Hall, Mississippi Department of Corrections’ corrections commissioner, announced that the event will be livestreamed across all state prisons in Mississippi. Hall is listed as a sponsor for the event. Miskelly would like chaplains or pastors to be present at the correctional facilities to welcome prisoners who have converted that evening. Hall stated that Hall sees this as an opportunity for faith-based groups to continue working together. Hall stated that the department had previously worked with faith-based organizations to provide different activities, programs, and services. MDOC will stream it “in as many places as possible to the extent resources permit,” Grace Fisher, an agency spokesperson, said. Participation is voluntary. Although organizers claimed that the federal prison in Yazoo City would livestream the event as well, a spokesperson for the federal facility said to Mississippi Today that the facility cannot stream the program to prisoners “due our capacity to stream information to the inmate populations.” A contest is open to high school students asking “What would a united Mississippi look to you?” The winners could win $1,000 cash or electronic devices. According to Miskelly, Unite Mississippi also reached out to Jackson Public Schools superintendent Errick Greene to distribute tickets to JPS students. Greene stated that students will have access to the tickets, but parents will decide if they want to go. He also said that no public money will be used to support the event. Nicks stated that organizers anticipate the event will draw more than 60,000 people Saturday, and that they believe that “over 8,000 people” will give their lives for Jesus Christ through the Night of Unity.
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