In days gone by, a burning cross was a symbol of the Ku Klux Klan and its violence against black Mississippians. For two decades now, Mission Mississippi has been working to transform the state through its message of unity between the races.

By using the symbol of a glowing, lighted cross, Mission Mississippi urges us to share Christ’s light with each other. The glowing cross also is a positive symbol in opposition to the negative image of the burning cross, which was associated with the days of racial segregation.

Earlier this year, Brookhaven became home to the 22nd chapter of Mission Mississippi, and on Friday, Aug. 16, our city will host one of a series of celebrations in honor of Mission Mississippi’s 20th anniversary.

To commemorate Mission Mississippi’s founding date, Aug. 7, 1993, when the group’s initial members raised a cross in Jackson to symbolize the unity found in Christ, a lighted cross began a journey across the state on Aug. 7, 2013.

The glowing cross is now on its way through each of Mississippi’s 82 counties and will arrive in Brookhaven Friday.

Mission Mississippi state president, Neddie Winters, encourages everyone to “follow the cross” as it comes into the county. Organizers said law officers will be escorting the procession, and Fellowship of Christian Athlete students will walk/run with the cross as it moves through town to the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Government Complex.

“Join with us in celebrating 20 years of ‘changing Mississippi … one relationship at a time’ and the unity we have as one in Christ,” Nedders continued.

Mission Mississippi’s goals are certainly deserving of support. Details on the exact route for the cross are still being firmed up, but watch The Daily Leader later this week for more information.

The county celebration at the Government Complex is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday.