Golden Triangle pastor offers message of hope to those still recovering from the hardships of 2020

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, MISS. (WCBI) – Whether it’s the nearly 5,000 Mississippians who have lost their lives to COVID-19 or the emotional toll of taking action in the nationwide social justice movement, there are plenty of things people cannot leave behind in 2020.

That’s why pastor Tyrone Ellis of Running Water Baptist Church in Noxubee County spread a message of hope as we begin a new year.

“It all gets back to hope, regardless of what you’re going through,” he says. “You must have hope for a brighter day.”

People across Mississippi and the rest of the country are hoping that 2021 can be a brighter year. But turning the page on a calendar is not the same as turning the page on the impact of 2020.

“Even though we are going through this pandemic in 2020, just because we’re in 2021 does not mean that it’s over,” Ellis says.

The local pastor says he has counseled so many who will still need help in 2021.

“I’ve had so many calls where there’s attempted suicide, on more than one occasion of young teenagers,” Ellis says. “I’ve had young teens running away.”

Ellis says he has counseled young people who have been devastated and confused during the year’s lock-downs as well as families who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19.

“It’s difficult I should say, to find the words to erase the pain and the hurt that the people have, the families have,” Ellis says.

Ellis says his message for people going forward is to ask themselves how they would like to rebuild their lives in 2021 if they had the opportunity to hit the reset button.

“It’s OK,” he says. “This is not something that you can’t overcome. You can overcome this and do not let it overcome you. ”