Rigney Ministries

Benjy and I moved to Picayune in 1989, after I graduated college. NASA’s sub-contractor, Sverdrup Engineering, had come to our school to interview those of us who would be graduating that month, and I was offered a job in the engineering department at the John C. Stennis Space Center. I never expected to get the job … I only interviewed in order to get some experience with the interview process. Benjy’s job was in Mobile, AL, and our family lives in that area, so I was hoping to find a job there. It’s a long story, but God made a way for Benjy to hire on at Stennis a month later … and we’ve been in Picayune ever since!

A short time after we moved here, Benjy was invited to lead music at Unity Baptist Church, and we served there for 13 years. This sweet congregation holds a special place in our hearts, because they became family to us during those years.

Benjy, singing his heart out just before the message. Everybody knows how red in the face he gets on the high notes … this was just before that happened!	Bro. Arlis Grice, making a bold statement in his Sunday morning sermon! Benjy tells me I wait till people are making funny faces, then take a pic. Sorry Bro. Grice!

Recently, Unity  celebrated their 40th anniversary, and invited Benjy to come back and lead the praise service in the morning … then do a concert after dinner on the grounds. It was a great day of celebrating what the Lord has done in the community through that church … and what it has meant in the lives of those of us who have joined with them in worship and Christian service.

I took an extra measure of pictures, wanting to capture the faces of those we love. I was sorry that some weren’t able to be there that day … and I missed those who had gone on to be with the Lord. Some of those had been so key in the growth Benjy and I experienced while we served there … people like Buddy Stewart, T.J. Jarrell, Marcella Stockstill, and Sweetie Moody.

McKenzie and Ms. Jo. We sat on the pew behind this dear woman for most of our 13 years at Unity. She is such a tender-hearted and loving soul. I really miss her husband, Buddy. He was the church ‘cut up’ and always kept things lively. He called McKenzie ‘Curly’ most of the time when she was little … because she had no hair!	Benjy and Bro. Termite … that’s right … Termite! His real name is Lloyd, but I have never heard one person call him that. Termite has been one of the most humble servants in Unity’s congregation, and he has been such a blessing to our family.
Ms. Joann and Tammie. I just LOVE her! We stood side-by-side in the choir for 13 years while Benjy lead the music. Her life has been a beautiful example of how to remain faithful and keep a smile, even in uncertain circumstances.	Becky and her little man. Isn’t he the cutest thing? Becky signs the message for a couple of our members who are deaf. She has the most beautiful smile and a sweet spirit to match.

It was a great time of celebration, and we hated to leave when it was all over. We stood around for the longest time afterwords and reminisced about old times and caught up on the latest goings on with a few of our closer friends. It felt good to be home! I posted more pics in our online photo album, if you’re interested.

On His Exciting Journey,

See what's next on Our Calendar or schedule Benjy to sing or preach.
Visit our Photo Album for more ministry and family photos.