Connecting to churches via the internet
By Brinda F. Willis, Ph.D.
JA Contributing Writer
Vikki Bell, a retired City of Jackson employee, was severely injured while on the job in a city vehicle on October 25, 2024. Her left leg was crushed. The city vehicle was a total loss.
Bell was first employed by the City of Jackson in 2007. She rose to the position of Security Supervisor with the Jackson Police Department. Bell states, “I enjoyed my job and loved meeting and greeting people as they came into City Hall.”
On October 25, 2024, everything changed for Bell when she was involved in a life-changing accident that landed her in Baptist Hospital. Two weeks later, she was discharged using a wheelchair. Bell then spent two additional weeks in Methodist Rehabilitation Center, where she learned to maneuver her new wheelchair and adapt to living with a severe disability. She says, “I had to accept my new situation and allow caretakers to assist me with my new lifestyle.”
In January 2025, Bell applied for Social Security Disability. However, her application initially was denied. She sought disability assistance from the Social Services office located at the Jackson Medical Mall. Bell reports that she was finally awarded her Social Security Disability payments in August 2025. By then, her savings were depleted.
“I was in a severe state of depression and needed something to hold onto.” Shirley Cole helped Bell discover via the internet church services led by Pastor Charles Thurman at the Greater Harvest Baptist Church. She joined the church in March 2026. Bell reports that she “soon felt my depression becoming less.”
Pastor Thurman said, “Vikki has become a staunch and dependable part of our congregation. I am just elated that technology has enabled her to be a part of our Harvest church family in her spiritual journey. I look forward to having her input every week in Bible Study and Sunday School Review. It has been my pleasure to have technology utilized by homebound people to become involved in our services.”
The Greater Harvest Baptist Church, located at 304 Cedar Lane in Jackson, Mississippi, is on Facebook.
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