About Us

The Biloxi Branch is located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with members living in Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula, and Wiggins Mississippi, covering a range of 70 miles. We are in close proximity to two other branches of People of Praise, Mobile, some 60 miles east, and New Orleans, about 70 miles west. The climate is subtropical with mild Autumn weather which flows into Spring, followed by about six months of tropical Summer. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a tourist destination with the world’s longest man-made beach attracting the summer sun lovers and our many golf courses drawing the mid westerners down in the cooler season. Other activities include fresh water, salt, and deep-sea fishing; numerous small museums and historical attractions like Beauvior, the last home of the Confederate president, Jefferson Davis. The area also boasts many fine seafood and other restaurants, quite a few of which are located in the local casinos. This is also a military community with a large Air Force technical training base, a Naval construction battalion base, an Air Guard base, and a Naval Home Port, and a high concentration of military retirees.

Our community originated in 1978 as a covenant community called “Community of God’s People.” Members of three prayer groups, two from the Gulf Coast and one from South Dakota, came together to make the first covenant. For a number of years we were in a teaching relationship with the People of Praise in South Bend, Indiana. Members of that community made regular visits and provided guidance to us. On Feb 7, 1987, we dissolved our covenant and 14 members signed the covenant of People of Praise while 21 others became underway members, and we became the Biloxi Branch of the People of Praise.

We presently consist of 21 members, 16 adults and five children (One family of five on assignment with the Air Force). We meet weekly in members’ homes for a branch gathering and in men’s and women’s groups. We also gather frequently for various social events. Blessed with close proximity to other branches of the People of Praise, we have contact several times during the year for men’s and women’s retreats, kids summer camp, picnics, and other gatherings. We have hosted numerous visitors from other branches in recent years and welcome visitors in the future.