Jackson Free Press

108 Mississippi United Methodist pastors have released an open letter endorsing Initiative 42. The letter states that each signing pastor's position on the upcoming ballot initiative stems from John Wesley's passion for meeting educational needs even in 18th century England and Jesus' command to let the "little children come to me." Bruce Case, head pastor at Parkway Hills Methodist Church, helped craft the letter and send it out to pastors throughout the state. Pastors were invited to respond and sign their name to the letter, and it took Case less than a day to collect over 100 signatures. Case said they could have collected more signatures, but wanted to get the letter out due to timing.

The full letter has been produced verbatim below:

A Letter from 108 Mississippi United Methodist Pastors:

As Mississippi United Methodist pastors serving in rural areas, county seats, and large towns all across our wonderful state, we are compelled to speak out on behalf of our children and Mississippi public school education.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, was passionate about providing all children access to educational opportunities in 18th Century England. He opened libraries, published reading material for children, and founded schools that served impoverished children. He believed every child—regardless of gender or economic background—deserved the opportunity a quality education provided.

Because we believe that every child in Mississippi has a right to a great education, we will be voting in favor of Initiative 42 when we go to the ballot on November 3. Initiative 42 will require our legislators to follow our state law and fully fund public education based on the MEAP (MAEP) formula. Our Legislature has failed to honor this law nearly every year since its adoption (by our legislature!) in 1997.

We are disappointed that politicians have added 42-A to the ballot. 42-A will confuse thousands of people who are trying to make an informed decision regarding our children’s well being. Please be advised: 42-A is simply a vote for the status quo. What is the status quo?

-Since 2008, the state budget (excluding federal funds) has grown by 35% while K-12 education's portion of the state budget has grown by 2.47%. -MS ranks 47th in per student funding out of 51 (including District of Columbia). -Mississippi ranks last among our neighboring states in per student funding.

The status quo limits our children; it limits our state; it deprives all of us of economic stability.

We can rise above the status quo! We can begin to work together to ensure every community in our state has a school with high-quality facilities, full of teachers and students who have all they need to succeed. Initiative 42 will be a much-needed step in the right direction for K-12 education in Mississippi.

We strive to be faithful to Jesus’ high calling in the communities we serve, and we can think of no higher priority in God’s Kingdom than our children. Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” We can’t think of a single child in Mississippi that Jesus would turn away. Let’s make all children our top priority. They desperately need it, and they deserve the resources Initiative 42 will bring.

Signed,

1. Rev. Bruce Case, Madison
2. Rev. Dr. Eddie Rester, Oxford
3. Rev. Dawn Douglas Flowers, Bay St. Louis
4. Rev. Austin Hoyle, Gautier
5. Rev. Brad Corban, Hattiesburg
6. Rev. David McCoy, Jackson
7. Rev. Rick Brooks, Tupelo
8. Rev. Reed McCaleb, Brandon
9. Rev. Martha June Kirby, Ocean Springs
10. Rev. Megan Becnel, Picayune
11. Rev. Lisa Garvin, Jackson
12. Rev. Chris Brooking Richardson, Summit
13. Rev. Susannah Grubbs-Carr, Vicksburg
14. Rev. Stacey Parvin, Louisville
15. Rev. Lance Presley, Gulfport
16. Rev. Paige Swaim-Presley, Gulfport
17. Rev. Justin White, Greenville
18. Rev. LaRue Owen, Jackson
19. Rev. Jonathan Altman, Gulfport
20. Rev. Richard Robbins, Madison
21. Rev. Lynette Little, Ocean Springs
22. Rev. Heather Hensarling, Brookhaven
23. Rev. Rachel Benefield-Pfaff, Biloxi
24. Rev. John Brashier, Jackson
25. Rev. Susan Eaton, Hattiesburg
26. Rev. Victor Chatham, State Line
27. Rev. Becky Youngblood, Jackson
28. Rev. Mitch Cochran, Vicksburg
29. Rev. Joe E. Garvin, Montrose and Garlandville
30. Rev. Dr. Eric Pridmore, Poplarville
31. Rev. Bess Perrier, Biloxi
32. Rev. Pamela Cameron, Yazoo City
33. Rev. Vera Hall, Lorman
34. Rev. Chris Cumbest, Brandon
35. Rev. Sheila Cumbest, Brandon
36. Rev. Lynn Mote, Tupelo
37. Rev. Dr. Larry Hilliard, Ridgeland
38. Rev. Terry Hilliard, Ridgeland
39. Rev. Rod Dickson-Rishel, Long Beach
40. Rev. Dorothy Dickson-Rishel, Long Beach
41. Rev. Smith Lilley, Saltillo
42. Rev. Greg Ducker, Ellisville
43. Rev. David Sellers, Hattiesburg
44. Rev. Allen McGraw, Water Valley
45. Rev. John Moore, Ridgeland
46. Rev. Jon Kaufman, Ocean Springs
47. Rev. Rob Gill, Hattiesburg
48. Rev. Jim Fisher, Gulfport
49. Rev. Sarah Windham, West Point
50. Rev. LaSonya DeBose, Ocean Springs
51. Rev. Allison Dickerson, Brandon
52. Rev. Claire Dobbs, Gulfport
53. Rev. Marianne Smith, Gloster and Crosby
54. Rev. Oscar McGough, Brandon
55. Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton, Jackson
56. Rev. David Huffman, DeSoto County
57. Rev. Timothy C. Thompson, Sr., Ridgeland
58. Rev. Bruce Taylor, Decatur
59. Rev. Johniel Henry, Laurel
60. Rev. Diane Braman, Brandon
61. Rev. Warren Black, Oxford
62. Rev. Sally Bevill, Biloxi
63. Rev. Clint Gill, Hattiesburg
64. Rev. K. Dale Hensarling, Terry
65. Rev. Rusty Keen, Meridian
66. Rev. Dr. Stephen Cook, Jackson
67. Rev. Philip Messner, Madison
68. Rev. Dr. T.W. Lewis, Jackson
69. Rev. Dr. Carl Grubbs, Ridgeland
70. Rev. David Price, Hattiesburg
71. Rev. Dr. Connie Shelton, Jackson
72. Rev. Elijah Mitchell, Ocean Springs
73. Rev. Chris Diggs, Oxford
74. Rev. Frank Gipson, Greenwood
75. Rev. Jim Beam-Ingram, Picayune
76. Rev. Chris McAlilly, Oxford
77. Rev. Willie Williams, Webb
78. Rev. Dr. Detra Bishop, Durant
79. Rev. Randy Marchant, Indianola
80. Rev. Chance May, Belzoni
81. Rev. Bert Felder, Ridgeland
82. Rev. Carol Burnett, Biloxi
83. Rev. Vickie White, Madison
84. Rev. DeMario Benson, Jackson
85. Rev. Maxine Bolden, Jackson
86. Rev. Robert Brown, Brandon
87. Rev. Keith Tonkel, Jackson
88. Rev. Joe May, Jackson
89. Rev. Patrick Hutto, Hattiesburg
90. Rev. Rachel Pitts, Vicksburg
91. Rev. Karie Sue McCaleb, Brandon
92. Rev. Jimmy Carr, Brandon
93. Rev. Joy Carr, Brandon
94. Rev. Ed King, Jackson
95. Rev. Don Fortenberry, Jackson
96. Rev. Emily Sanford, Jackson
97. Rev. Linda Lindsey-Williams, Brandon
98. Rev. Amy Pearson Roller, Richton
99. Rev. Kurt Appel, Petal
100. Rev. Judy Longo, Biloxi
101. Rev. Leanne Burris, Gulfport
102. Rev. Cynthia Cross, Hattiesburg
103. Rev. Cliff Burris, Diamondhead
104. Rev. Jerry Chapman, Ocean Springs
105. Rev. Ella Dedeaux, Pass Christian
106. Rev. Anna Fleming-Jones, Jackson
107. Rev. Todd Owen Watson, Hattiesburg
108. Rev. Paul Roller, Sumrall