By By Ida Brown / religion editor
June 17, 2004
A recurring theme has become more concrete for a Florence man.
Through his Jesus Saves Ministries, Omer Rivers is making concrete-cast replicas of the Ten Commandments available to churches, businesses or anyone who wants them.
Instead of being passive, Rivers took an active approach and not only founded a ministry, but also a devised a way to make a concrete impression.
Spreading the gospel
Rivers' first revelation for his ministry came by way of a dream.
For three days, he wondered about the meaning of the dream. He received a second revelation at a church service.
His third revelation was conveyed while watching television.
A visit to a concrete business in Florence provided the inspiration. He saw a friend making a replica of the Ten Commandments and was impressed by the quality of the work. A few weeks later, the first set of replicas produced through Rivers' Jesus Saves Ministries was made.
A heavy mission
The Ten Commandments monument is made of concrete and steel and weighs 120 pounds. Reinforced with steel rebar, the set is available with indoor and outdoor steel display easels.
The first two sets were purchased by the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. One set is displayed in the lobby, the other outside. Since then, the monuments have installed in more than 150 churches and businesses in the Jackson area.
Rivers has embarked on a Ten Commandments Across America Tour, a two-year endeavor aimed at setting up two sets of monuments in every state capital.
Highlights of this year's campaign include delivering the replicas to the president, vice-president and the state's congressmen and senators during the week of July 4. And Oct. 22-23, the tour will join Vision America's Ten Commandments Rally in Washington, D.C., which is expected to draw more than 2 million people, he said.
Local stop
On Wednesday, two sets of the Ten Commandments replica were set up at Northcrest Baptist Church one in the church's vestibule, the other outside.
The church first became aware of the monuments through member Mike Bunkley, coordinator of sales in Mississippi.