On a tree-lined stretch of Raymond Road in south Jackson, Mississippi, Raymond Road Baptist Church has been gathering neighbors from Byram, Raymond, Clinton, and Terry for Bible study, worship, and midweek ministry. The church's stated vision is to "produce passionate disciples of Jesus Christ," and its weekly schedule is built to do exactly that: Sunday school at nine, two Sunday worship services, and a full Wednesday night program for adults, students, and children running at the same hour.
Sunday Mornings: Three Gatherings in One Day
Sunday at Raymond Road begins at 9:00 a.m. with Small Group Bible Study, also called Sunday School, offered for every age. At 10:15 a.m., the congregation moves into the main sanctuary for the morning worship service, which usually runs to about 11:30 a.m. The order of service follows a familiar Baptist shape: prayer, congregational singing with words onscreen, a message from the Bible by Pastor Aaron Tucker, and an offering. Visitors are never pressured to give. An evening worship service follows at 6:00 p.m.
What a First-Time Visitor Will Find
The church keeps things easy for newcomers. There is no dress code, and on a given Sunday you may see jeans and T-shirts as well as dresses and ties. The main scriptures appear on a screen, and Bibles are in the pews for anyone who needs one. Greeters at the main entrance will help a visitor find the right Sunday School class. There are three parking areas: in the center near the sanctuary, to the left near the children's wing, and to the right near the student center. Handicapped and guest parking sits in the center of the lot close to the main entry, and two covered drop-off areas in front of the building make it simple to unload little ones or passengers.
Wednesday Nights Built Around Every Age
Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. is the second pillar of the week. Adults meet for prayer and Bible study. Students gather for student worship. Children are split into age-appropriate groups: Royal Ambassadors (R.A.'s) for boys, Girls in Action (G.A.'s) for girls, and Mission Friends and preschool choir for the youngest. The Wednesday night program runs from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and is designed so an entire family can come together, then head to their own rooms.
Children: Nursery Through Sixth Grade
Children are treated as a central part of the congregation. Childcare is available for babies through K-4 during every weekly meeting, including Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. The children's wing is staffed by volunteers who have been interviewed and background-checked, and a check-in system keeps parents reachable if they are needed. Children in K-5 and up join their families in the main worship service. For 1st through 6th graders, Sunday morning offers an age-appropriate Sunday School class, and Wednesday nights bring the missions-focused R.A. and G.A. programs that walk kids through cultures and missionaries around the world. Three-year-olds through kindergartners also have preschool choir and a chance to sing for the adults during the year.
Students: Bible Study, Worship, and Citywide Events
The student ministry serves 7th graders through high schoolers with a full rhythm of its own. On Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., students join small group Bible study, then attend the 10:15 worship service with the rest of the church. Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. are reserved for student worship, with music, teaching, and time to be together. The ministry also partners with SouthNet Ministries for community-wide events like Disciple-Now and Summer Tour, giving students a chance to connect with other churches in the area.
Senior Adults: Joy Lunch and a Monthly Bible Study
Senior adults have two standing monthly gatherings in the fellowship hall. Joy Lunch meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for food and fellowship. A Bible study led by a special guest meets on the last Friday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Both are open to anyone who wants to attend. Senior Adult Coordinator Deborah Nichols oversees this ministry and the many fellowship events that keep the group active throughout the year.
Pastoral Staff and Ministry Leaders
Aaron Tucker serves as pastor and preaches at the Sunday worship services. He is described as someone who loves God, his wife and daughters, good coffee, talking about the Bible, and the outdoors. Alisha Grace is the Family Minister, overseeing both children's and student ministry. She and her husband Preston have three daughters. The Music Minister leads congregational singing on Sundays and Wednesdays. Janice Golden serves as Ministry Assistant, helping with church operations and getting to know the people of the congregation. Beth Sullivan serves as Financial Assistant for the church's giving and accounting.
The Building and the Community It Serves
The church's physical campus is laid out around the parking lot described above: a central sanctuary, a children's wing to the left, and a student center to the right. Fellowship hall, the senior adult gathering space, anchors the Wednesday night and Tuesday/Friday programs. The congregation serves not only south Jackson but also the surrounding communities of Byram, Raymond, Clinton, and Terry. The church partners with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Mississippi Baptist Convention, and the Metro Baptist Association.
Worshipping Online and Giving
For those who cannot attend in person, the Sunday 10:15 a.m. service is livestreamed on Facebook, with the video feed usually starting a few minutes before the service begins. Past sermons are archived on the church's YouTube channel. Online giving is available through an E-Giving link, with options for one-time or recurring gifts and the ability to keep a personal record of donations by creating an account. Prayer requests can be submitted as well. The church's current teaching theme, drawn from Exodus 15:2, is "The Lord is my Song."