1 of 12

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson delivers the Sunday message at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church in February. (File photo | The Natchez Democrat)

The choir sings at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

A crowd joins the Black History Month service at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

The choir sings at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Former Natchez mayor and Natchez-Adams School District board Vice Present Phillip West welcomes attendees to a Black History Month service at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

State Rep. Robert Johnson III welcomes Congressman Bennie Thompson as the guest speaker Sunday. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson speaks with the Rev. Roderic Lewis at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church as the guest speaker on Sunday. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Tony Fields delivers a special song Sunday for New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church's Black History Month service. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson delivers the message Sunday at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson receives a plaque from New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church in February 2023. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Rev. Roderic Lewis closes the sermon Sunday at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

A crowd joins the Black History Month service at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Attendees at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church’s special Black History Month service on Sunday morning were moved not just by traditional gospel music, which brought the congregation to their feet and some to dance, but also by a moving message from U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson.

Thompson, a Bolton native, has served Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District since 1993, which Adams County recently joined after redistricting. He is both the first Democrat and the first African American to serve as the chair of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Attendees saw elected leaders from local, state and federal levels, with State Rep. Robert Johnson III and several Natchez Aldermen, the mayor, sheriff and county supervisors present.

Thompson spoke about the importance of electing leaders who understand “both where they are and whose they are,” referring to God as their creator.

He also spoke passionately about how Mississippi’s historically Black colleges and universities have been underfunded and should therefore receive more in state funding to catch up.

He spoke of how rural communities with Democratic majority populations have been “shorted” by their elected leaders. This shorting isn’t new, he recalled, as he described how, in his childhood, he passed by two segregated white schools in Hinds County to get to one Black school that received handed-down textbooks from the white schools.

“That’s how it used to be,” he said. “Separate and unequal.”

Of all the counties he represents, Thompson commended Adams County for being interested in history and sharing the whole story.

“Black History is living history and there are some parts of history that should never be allowed to repeat itself,” he said. “We’ve come a long way, but we need to tell that story.”

More News

11 year old girl from Ferriday has died after long illness

‘Pray for her miracle’: Doctors fear worst for 11-year-old girl from Ferriday

Sheriff answers question of upside-down flag: ‘We’re not under duress; Nothing was vandalized’

GALLERY: Comm-UNITY Thanksgiving welcomes everyone to dine in, fellowship