I was born and raised in Summit, MS. I surrendered my life to the Lord when I was 12 years old at a revival at Friendship Baptist Church. I graduated from North Pike High School and then attended Southwest Mississippi Community College. During my tenure at SMCC, I found myself not living my life according to the calling that I had received in Christ (Eph.4:1). The conviction from the Lord brought me to a place of surrender to deeper community, worship, and discipleship from my local church, FBC Summit and the BSU. I then transferred to Mississippi State University where I majored in Agricultural Education. Over the next years of my life, I was fortunate enough to be discipled by my BSU Director Daniel Herndon, travel all across the world through BSU Missions, and feel a call to gospel ministry during my time of undergraduate studies. During a crazy season of COVID-19, I then got married to the love of my life, Kelsi Bankston, and we began to do ministry at FBC Summit while I attended seminary at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. A passion for college ministry carried Kelsi and I to Columbus, MS to serve as the Campus Missionary for MUW/EMCC BSU. After 2 short years of serving in this ministry, God called me to be the full-time BSU Director here at MUW/EMCC BSU!  

I am passionate about seeing students come to hear and surrender to the gospel, serving on missions, and growing in their faith throughout these years as they transition into young adulthood.

Education:

B.S. Agricultural Education // Mississippi State University (Class of 2020)

M.A. Pastoral Ministry // New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Class of 2022)

To Know Christ & To Make Him Known

-Jonah Bankston