Mississippi Cursillo
About
Cursillo
What is Cursillo?
The Gospel of Luke relates the story of the risen Christ appearing to two who were going along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. This was a heart-warming experience as Jesus walked and talked with them. The illuminating climax came when Jesus took the bread and said the blessing, then broke it and gave it to them. The two had their eyes opened and recognized him as the risen Christ and rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others. (Luke 24:13-35)
Cursillo is a three-day immersive experience of Christianity from a New Testament perspective. It is a highly structured weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people.
The purpose of the Cursillo Movement in Mississippi is to be one of the instruments to renew the world by the fullness of Christ’s ministry through the laity, deacons, ministers and bishops. It is our aim as well as the aim of the national movement to bring Christians to a fuller personal knowledge of their relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ and to a deeper level of apostleship and commitment. It is our hope and prayer that Pilgrims will strengthen their spiritual lives, and gain answers about prayer, study, and sharing their faith.
Purpose
History
Cursillo History
CURSILLO, meaning "short course," began when a group of men dedicated themselves to bringing the men of their city to know Christ. The first stirring of what was later to become the Cursillo Movement began on the Island of Majorca during World War II. The idea was born to have a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James at Compostela, during which time young men and women of Spain would dedicate themselves in a renewed way to the work of being an apostle.
The first three-day Cursillo was held in the monastery of San Honorato on the Island of Majorca, Spain, on January 7, 1949. Cursillo came to this country through two young Spanish airmen who were in training with the U. S. Air Force in Waco, Texas. In 1957, the Cursillo Movement began in the Roman Catholic Church here in the United States.
Today, Cursillo is an international movement touching all of the Americas, Europe, Japan, Africa, Australia and other lands, and involving the Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Cursillo in Mississippi became a reality on October 8-11, 1981, when Mississippi Methodist Cursillo Number 1 was held at St. Mary of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi. Since that time, over 7600 people have attended Mississippi Methodist Cursillo weekends. Founded in the Cursillo method, as influenced by John Wesley’s Methodist teachings, today’s Cursillo Movement in Mississippi has grown towards being an ecumenical ministry, appealing and open to those of all Christian denominations seeking to strengthen their relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe that the history of the Cursillo Movement bears witness to the truth of Jesus’ words: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32 NIV)
2026
Calendar of Events
This is our list of upcoming Cursillo weekends. Included is the Cursillo
number, date, location, and leaders.
#258 - April 2026
April 23-26 2026
Camp Lake Stephens
Michael Towles
Ryna' Smith
#259 - August 2026
August 13-16 2026
Camp Wesley Pines
Tony Alexander
Sean Nissen
#260 - November 2026
November 5-8 2026
Camp Lake Stephens
Tracey Mooneyham
Jennifer Hewlitt
#261 - December 2026
December 3-6 2026
Camp Wesley Pines
Linda Griffis
Joel Hall
2026 Secretariat
Executive Committee
Chairman
Norman Ford
Past Chairman
Melissa Bolland
Secretary
Donna Rademacher
Registrar
Barbie Scales
Treasurer
Hugh Langley
At Large Representatives
Jim Bush
Kathryn Ford
Amanda Hall
Joel Hall
Leah Jarell
Angela Pope
JT Rowell
Marty Stamper
Laura Thrash
Karl Walker
Advisory Committee
Angela Sellers
General Palanca
Jane Brown
Historian
Randy Miller
Music
Robbyn Weaver
Newsletter
Mina Lightsey
Pre-Cursillo Rep
Jerry Lightsey
Property Manager – CLS
Greg Campbell
Property Manager - CWP
Glynn Pope
Spiritual Directors
Daniel Ward
Website Administrator
2026 Ultreya Leaders
Batesville Presbyterian, Batesville
Christ United, Jackson
Cook’s Chapel, Philadelphia
Courtland Baptist - Courtland
Crossgates Methodist, Brandon
Crossway Comminty Church, Philadelphia
Crystal Springs Methodist,
Crystal Springs
The Exchange, Pearl
First Baptist, Philadelphia
Brandon First Methodist,Brandon
First Global Methodist, Olive Branch
First Methodist, Philadelphia
Getwell Church, Southaven
Heritage Church, Hattiesburg
Lakeshore CM, Byram
Lauderdale Ultreya
Madison Methodist, Madison
Maples Memorial UMC, Olive Branch
Midway Methodist, Oxford
Oxford Ultreya
Neshoba County Ultreya
Reservoir Community Ultreya
Sandtown Methodist, Philadelphia
Southside Methodist, Philadelphia
Taylor Methodist, Taylor
Wells UMC Ultreya
