At the heart of Mt. Vernon Church lie four fundamental attributes that embody our essence and guide our existence. These qualities are integral to our identity, shaping our operations and infusing our mission with purpose. They represent the fabric of our spiritual DNA, influencing every aspect of our work and how we fulfill our calling.
Who We Are.
We’re not different on purpose – we’re different WITH purpose.
Jesus taught that His followers would be distinguished by their love. Thus, we are wholly committed to embodying this love in our community through every action and interaction. We strive to cultivate environments where individuals feel genuinely welcomed and can experience the presence of Jesus. As a community of diverse and imperfect individuals, we have encountered Jesus and discovered His unwavering love for us, and we are dedicated to extending that same grace to others.
We’re intentional about connecting relationally.
Navigating life independently is not our path. Following Jesus is less about individual depth and more about the depth of our connections with one another. We aim to be positioned to support each other’s needs and to safeguard one another’s vulnerabilities. Christianity is a communal endeavor, so let us come together, prepared and united in our journey.
We serve, not sit.
Love inherently manifests through action. While it is possible to perform actions without love, it is impossible to truly love without acting. Jesus, who came to serve, is our model. As we serve, we increasingly reflect His character. Spiritual maturity is not defined by the extent of our knowledge, but by the depth of our love and service.
We breathe hope.
While your relationship with God is deeply personal, it is not meant to be kept private. Jesus is not merely a friend to sinners—He is the only friend of sinners. We reach out not from a place of superiority, but from a recognition of the transformative difference He has made in our own lives.
What We Believe.
God
God is creator of the universe and author of life. God is spirit, and therefore, is timeless. Sovereignly possessing all power and all knowledge, He never tires, gains strength, or acquires new knowledge. He is all-present in the universe. God never changes.
God is one. He exists eternally in three persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is of the same essence, co-equally God. He providentially sustains His creation by the word of His power.
God reveals Himself to us generally through nature and specifically through His Son and the Word of God, the Bible. We exist to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. Because of the finished work of Jesus, we can know God as our holy and loving Father.
Related Scriptures: Genesis 1:1, John 5:26, John 4:24, Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:17, 1 John 3:20, Isaiah 46:9-10, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 139:7-10, Hebrews 6:18, Malachi 3:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 48:16, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:3, Romans 1:18-20, John 1:1-3, Matthew 6:9
God is one. He exists eternally in three persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is of the same essence, co-equally God. He providentially sustains His creation by the word of His power.
God reveals Himself to us generally through nature and specifically through His Son and the Word of God, the Bible. We exist to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. Because of the finished work of Jesus, we can know God as our holy and loving Father.
Related Scriptures: Genesis 1:1, John 5:26, John 4:24, Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:17, 1 John 3:20, Isaiah 46:9-10, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 139:7-10, Hebrews 6:18, Malachi 3:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 48:16, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:3, Romans 1:18-20, John 1:1-3, Matthew 6:9
Jesus
Jesus, the eternal Son of God, exists uncreated and is equal in deity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The promised and prophesied Messiah is the Word that became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
While retaining His divine nature, Jesus became man, being born of a virgin through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is truly God and truly man. Though sinless, He suffered and died by crucifixion as an atoning sacrifice for our sin.
Buried in a borrowed tomb, Jesus bodily resurrected from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven and will return in the same manner to judge those living and those already dead. He reigns forever and His kingdom has no end.
Jesus is unique among other religious leaders in that He didn’t point to a path to be followed but declared Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus is the only way to God.
Related Scriptures: Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, John 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13, John 14:6
While retaining His divine nature, Jesus became man, being born of a virgin through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is truly God and truly man. Though sinless, He suffered and died by crucifixion as an atoning sacrifice for our sin.
Buried in a borrowed tomb, Jesus bodily resurrected from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven and will return in the same manner to judge those living and those already dead. He reigns forever and His kingdom has no end.
Jesus is unique among other religious leaders in that He didn’t point to a path to be followed but declared Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus is the only way to God.
Related Scriptures: Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, John 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13, John 14:6
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, third person of the Trinity, co-equal in deity with God the Father and God the Son, is the promised Comforter, the Helper, the Spirit of Christ, who lives in those who follow Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. The Spirit has a mind, emotions, and a will. He teaches, testifies, leads, and intercedes. He directs, prompts, sends, and gifts the people of God.
He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit regenerates hearts and lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
The Holy Spirit works to change us so that we conform to the image of Christ. The Christian seeks to be filled with the Spirit and live under His control daily.
Related Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 12:11, John 14:26, John 15:26, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:26, Acts 5:3-4, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Corinthians 2:7, 10, Luke 1:35, Psalm 139:7-10, Acts 8:29, Acts 13:4, Acts 16:6-7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18, Ephesians 3:19
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. The Spirit has a mind, emotions, and a will. He teaches, testifies, leads, and intercedes. He directs, prompts, sends, and gifts the people of God.
He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit regenerates hearts and lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
The Holy Spirit works to change us so that we conform to the image of Christ. The Christian seeks to be filled with the Spirit and live under His control daily.
Related Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 12:11, John 14:26, John 15:26, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:26, Acts 5:3-4, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Corinthians 2:7, 10, Luke 1:35, Psalm 139:7-10, Acts 8:29, Acts 13:4, Acts 16:6-7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18, Ephesians 3:19
The Bible
The Bible, containing Old and New Testaments, is the infallible, inspired word of God. Written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is the ultimate source of doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof.
The Bible is the final authority for Christian beliefs and living and includes all that is needed for a life of godliness. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any way. Any prompting from the Holy Spirit must be measured against the standard of God’s Word. God’s Word and His Spirit will never contradict.
While there are many evidences to the credibility of Scripture, such as its unified message, its majestic style, its endurance despite efforts to destroy it, and its manuscript evidence, it is the inner witness of the Holy Spirit that ultimately convinces the believer that the Bible is authoritative.
Related Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:160, Psalm 12:6, Proverbs 30:5, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 8:16, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 1 John 4:6, John 15:26, John 16:13, John 18:37
The Bible is the final authority for Christian beliefs and living and includes all that is needed for a life of godliness. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any way. Any prompting from the Holy Spirit must be measured against the standard of God’s Word. God’s Word and His Spirit will never contradict.
While there are many evidences to the credibility of Scripture, such as its unified message, its majestic style, its endurance despite efforts to destroy it, and its manuscript evidence, it is the inner witness of the Holy Spirit that ultimately convinces the believer that the Bible is authoritative.
Related Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:160, Psalm 12:6, Proverbs 30:5, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 8:16, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 1 John 4:6, John 15:26, John 16:13, John 18:37
Humanity
Humanity is made in the image of God. Because we are made in His image, we are unique among creation and have special worth derived from our maker. Made in God’s image, He defines our identity and we belong to Him. Our purpose cannot be separated from Him.
Although designed by God for fullness and fellowship with Him, we alienated ourselves from God through disobedience. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and choose to sin against God. Because we are spiritually dead in our sin, we are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through our own efforts.
Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6, Mark 12:17, Romans 3:23, Colossians 1:21, Isaiah 59:1-2
Although designed by God for fullness and fellowship with Him, we alienated ourselves from God through disobedience. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and choose to sin against God. Because we are spiritually dead in our sin, we are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through our own efforts.
Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6, Mark 12:17, Romans 3:23, Colossians 1:21, Isaiah 59:1-2
Salvation
Jesus is the only way to God. There is no other way of salvation. By trusting in Jesus, we are saved from the curse and penalty of sin and can enjoy an abundant, eternal life that begins when we believe.
Following the pattern of this world, we once lived under the influence of the enemy and were by nature, deserving of God’s anger. We were dead in our trespasses and sins without hope, and because of our sin against a holy God, we deserved eternal punishment in hell. No amount of self-improvement, good works, or religion could ever make up for our sin.
But God, who is rich in mercy and love for us, made us alive through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though we were dead in our sin. He saved us, not because of our goodness or our good works, but according to His own mercy and for His own name’s sake. He washed us, regenerating and renewing us by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior.
The Bible teaches that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. To those who receive Jesus, believing in His name, God gives the right to become His children. We have been born again, raised up, and seated with Christ. In addition to peace, reconciliation, and access, we have been given an inheritance as children that will never spoil or fade away.
Related Scriptures: Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Galatians 3:10-13, John 17:3, John 1:12-13, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:1-5, Galatians 3:25-26, John 3:3, Romans 5:1-11, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-13, 1 Peter 1:4
Following the pattern of this world, we once lived under the influence of the enemy and were by nature, deserving of God’s anger. We were dead in our trespasses and sins without hope, and because of our sin against a holy God, we deserved eternal punishment in hell. No amount of self-improvement, good works, or religion could ever make up for our sin.
But God, who is rich in mercy and love for us, made us alive through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though we were dead in our sin. He saved us, not because of our goodness or our good works, but according to His own mercy and for His own name’s sake. He washed us, regenerating and renewing us by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior.
The Bible teaches that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. To those who receive Jesus, believing in His name, God gives the right to become His children. We have been born again, raised up, and seated with Christ. In addition to peace, reconciliation, and access, we have been given an inheritance as children that will never spoil or fade away.
Related Scriptures: Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Galatians 3:10-13, John 17:3, John 1:12-13, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:1-5, Galatians 3:25-26, John 3:3, Romans 5:1-11, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-13, 1 Peter 1:4
Eternal Security
Because God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ, believers are secure in their salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by a Christian’s self-effort. It is the grace and eternal power of God that gives this security. We are assured of our salvation based on the character of God who can never lie.
Through confession of sin and repentance, a Christian continues to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ. A Christian never uses the forgiveness of God as an excuse to sin. A person continuing in sin may have professed Christ without truly possessing Christ. The fruit of repentance is a changed life.
Related Scriptures: John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:10-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5
Through confession of sin and repentance, a Christian continues to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ. A Christian never uses the forgiveness of God as an excuse to sin. A person continuing in sin may have professed Christ without truly possessing Christ. The fruit of repentance is a changed life.
Related Scriptures: John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:10-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5
Eternity
We were created to exist forever. Those who follow Christ will exist eternally together with Christ in the kingdom of heaven. Those who do not know Christ will be separated from God in eternal torment.
We believe Jesus Christ will return to Earth personally and visibly according to the promises in Scripture. His return will be for the purpose of establishing His absolute rule and authority on the earth. Christians are challenged to be watchful and obedient until His return.
While there are many viewpoints concerning Jesus’ second coming, we believe Christians should look for His return with great anticipation while obediently pursuing the mandate of the Great Commission.
Related Scriptures: John 3:16, 1 John 2:25, John 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 25:13, Hebrews 9:26-28
We believe Jesus Christ will return to Earth personally and visibly according to the promises in Scripture. His return will be for the purpose of establishing His absolute rule and authority on the earth. Christians are challenged to be watchful and obedient until His return.
While there are many viewpoints concerning Jesus’ second coming, we believe Christians should look for His return with great anticipation while obediently pursuing the mandate of the Great Commission.
Related Scriptures: John 3:16, 1 John 2:25, John 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 25:13, Hebrews 9:26-28
Sound doctrine is an essential part of our DNA. In the book of Titus, Paul commands that we “teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine” (2:1). Multiple times in the book of 1 Timothy, Paul urges, “Watch your life and doctrine closely” (4:16) and " Command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer” (1:3). It’s obvious God cares about sound doctrine, so we do too.
Our Team.
We’re proud of our incredible team of people who dedicate themselves to making sure Jesus is at the center of our worship, our serving, our church community, and so much more.
Ryan Musgrove
Interim Lead Pastor
Lisa Hodson
Wylain Bailey
Jennifer Hannah
Matt Jacobsen
Our Story.
Located just outside Columbus, MS, Mt. Vernon Church is a vibrant and rapidly growing congregation with a rich history dating back to 1928. We are a community marked by a youthful spirit, drawing an average of 120 students weekly to our dynamic youth ministry. Our exceptional children’s department and supportive culture for young families further enhance our welcoming atmosphere.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to service, with members actively engaging in church activities and community outreach initiatives. Mt. Vernon Church is led by a dedicated team of eight full-time staff members, under the guidance of our Senior Pastor. This pastor-led team receives wise counsel from a group of elders who are devoted to supporting our shared vision and mission.
Located in Lowndes County, we welcome individuals and families from surrounding areas, including New Hope, Steens, the nearby US Air Force base, and even from Alabama. We aim to create a genuinely welcoming environment, ensuring that our church feels like a safe haven for those exploring faith or returning after time away.
Our Life Groups provide opportunities for deeper engagement and serve as a vital expression of our care ministry. Guided by the mantra “showing God’s love with no strings attached,” Mt. Vernon Church is dedicated to living out this calling in meaningful and transformative ways.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to service, with members actively engaging in church activities and community outreach initiatives. Mt. Vernon Church is led by a dedicated team of eight full-time staff members, under the guidance of our Senior Pastor. This pastor-led team receives wise counsel from a group of elders who are devoted to supporting our shared vision and mission.
Located in Lowndes County, we welcome individuals and families from surrounding areas, including New Hope, Steens, the nearby US Air Force base, and even from Alabama. We aim to create a genuinely welcoming environment, ensuring that our church feels like a safe haven for those exploring faith or returning after time away.
Our Life Groups provide opportunities for deeper engagement and serve as a vital expression of our care ministry. Guided by the mantra “showing God’s love with no strings attached,” Mt. Vernon Church is dedicated to living out this calling in meaningful and transformative ways.