ConnectionPoint Church pastor leading congregation in spiritual growth, outreach

Many attend church to be connected with God and other believers. Pastor Chris Vaught of ConnectionPoint Church in Jackson sees the mission of the church to be just that.

"We exist to connect people to God and others to ministry," Vaught said. "This is a very exciting time for our church. We're excited and passionate about our faith, serving the community and sharing our faith."

ConnectionPoint has worked with community organizations such as the Safe House for Women, Love INC, Jackson Food Pantry and the Amen Center in Delta. Vaught said the congregation is also involved with everyday projects, care for people in nursing homes, compassionate and care ministries and supported missions around the world.

Vaught said the church was already serving when he arrived at ConnectionPoint and he has encouraged them to continue that outreach.

Vaught became pastor of the Jackson church in January 2011 after the Rev. Luther Rhodes retired.

ConnectionPoint was formerly called First General Baptist Church of Jackson. According to Vaught the church is the same, but they wanted to emphasize and better communicate the mission of the church.

"We asked ourselves, 'How can we communicate what the church does to ourselves and to others?' We wanted to be intentional and do everything with excellence."

Vaught said the church wanted to emphasize the worship experience. He said anyone attending on Sundays can expect a welcoming, upbeat, friendly atmosphere for both traditional and contemporary services.

Connecting Groups meet throughout the week with the youth group gathering on Wednesday nights. ConnectionPoint has also opened a new children's worship center that features more ministries and safety measures.

Twice a year, ConnectionPoint has Bible conferences that look deeply at biblical topics.

"We want to continually get the Word into our hearts and apply it. We want to not just learn about the Bible but put it into practice," Vaught said.

The pastor described his 19 years in ministry as "an exciting journey."

"I get to be with people in their grandest moments and in their most devastated," Vaught said. "I get to see people connect with Christ. It is very rewarding."

Vaught felt strongly convicted by God calling him to go into full-time ministry during college. He helped a small church in Kentucky and studied pre-med, but later he changed his degree course to pastoral studies.

Vaught described being in ministry as "very fulfilling." The pastor has taught and spoken in churches across the country, moderated meetings with the General Baptist Convention and presided over the General Baptist governing body: the Council of Associations.

Raised in a small Pentecostal church, Vaught began dating his wife, Lisa, in high school. Her father was a deacon at the General Baptist church and he began attending with her. The two have been married for 21 years and have three daughters.

"It's not how you start, it's how you finish. And God got a hold of me," Vaught said.

ConnectionPoint's current sermon series is titled "Not a Fan." Vaught said they have looked at what it means to be a follower of Jesus. He said it takes a total commitment to learn from and follow Christ.

ConnectionPoint's sermons for the rest of the year will build off those points and look at biblical topics of stewardship, prayer and outreach, among others.

"If we want to see God do great things in 2012, we have to be his followers," Vaught said. "We want to be the church God has called us to be."

ConnectionPoint is located at 1506 S. Farmington Road in Jackson. More information on the church and its ministries can be found at www.yourconnectionpoint.com or by calling 243-8467.