Ever heard “where there is a will, there is a way?”

Tri-State Cross for Christ had a will to see a cross rise high above the tree line on a hill along Highway 72 and they found their way.

It has not been an easy journey for those involved in the project, but they will also tell you it has been an experience watching their prayers being answered. When it felt like they may not make a deadline, they trusted in God and he provided a way.

They have had donations come from as far as Texas and Chicago, Illinois along with industries in Tennessee gave, some donors with no connection to this area.

Community members of all ages took time out of their evening to write their name, favorite scripture, and draw a cross. You could even see someone traced their hand. The base along with the steel beams inside the cross were covered in scripture, names, dates, and prayers prior to it being raised.

Thursday, August 15th, a large crowd gathered to watch the raising of the Cross. Early arrivers for the event set up lawn chairs in the shade. Cars lined the road that runs passed the cross, the highway in both directions, and took over extra parking in the car lot across the highway.

For some, it was an emotional event watching large cranes lift the cross off the ground and place it in its resting spot high on a hill.

Local teenagers went one evening and held a Bible study and praise worship at the foot of the cross.

Organizers of the endeavor will tell you they are far from finished. There is still more work to be completed. They set a goal of $200,000 and have currently raised $178,376, but there are still more expenses. With all donations including equipment and time donated, they have raised well over $200,000. Services were donated by C&I Crane from Tuscumbia, Alabama. They wanted to provide the crane and workers to raise the cross in honor of their mother, Bernice Isom, who was on hand to watch the momentous occasion.

There will be ongoing costs of insurance, electricity, and maintenance. The Board has continued to be blessed by community members donating electrical work, dozer work, filler dirt, shrubs, and landscaping, along with the upkeep of mowing the area. More businesses than can be listed have continued to donate. Check out their facebook page to see those who have given services and time.

Tishomingo Stone will be placed from the concrete pad up eight feet around the base of the cross.

Other ways to give, you can donate the funds to purchase a bench to be placed on the grounds in honor or memory of someone. The benches are made at the State Penitentiary and shipped from Jackson, Mississippi; including benches, plaque and shipping the cost is approximately $960. Three benches have been donated, they are hoping to have three more before they are shipped.

The members hope to one day have enough money for a pavilion on the site.

If you are interested in donating; you can mail your donations to Tri-State Cross for Christ, Post Office Box 316, Iuka, MS 38852, or you can take your donation to Cadence Bank and deposit into the Tri-State Cross for Christ account. They hope to have more ways to donate in the future.