A Tribute to Reverend Jeffrey Reed

Talk of the Town - March 2026

The author reflects on how his relationship with Rev. Reed as a young man helped shape the person he is today.

- By Jason M. (“LP”)

Editor’s Note: Many along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are mourning the terrible loss of Reverend Jeffrey Reed. Those who knew Reverend Reed understood that his impact wasn’t defined by a single moment, but by countless small ones. He embodied the warmth and resilience that define coastal life.

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The true measure of his influence lives in the personal stories shared by those who encountered his faith, his mentorship, and his unwavering commitment to pouring into others. Around here, stories aren’t just told — they’re shared sittin’ on front porches, over a pot of coffee, and in conversations that pick up right where they left off, no matter how long it’s been.

On the coast Reverend Reed called home, his story will live on through the people who knew him and the lives he so touched. Jason is only one of many reflecting on the invaluable time he spent with Jeffrey Reed. -KR
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2017 Shoofly file photo of Ref. Jeffrey Reed during his tenure as a Bay St. Louis councilman.

​Bishop Reed poured into me at one of the most important moments of my life. After I gave my life to Christ at Miles College, every trip back home to the Gulf Coast led me straight to The Powerhouse [Powerhouse of Deliverance Ministries]. He saw my hunger for God, and instead of just acknowledging it, he invested in it. He handed me tapes from his ministry, taught me, corrected me, and showed me, by example, what a true man of God looks like.
 
I would cut hair in my dorm room, hold Bible studies, and play those tapes over and over. His voice, his teaching, and his consistency helped me build a spiritual foundation strong enough to withstand the pressures of college life. He didn’t just preach to me…. he prepared me.
 
Every time I saw him, he gave me even more than tapes; he gave me his time, his wisdom, and his beliefs. He embraced my gift and welcomed me into the PowerHouse to lead the young people and pour into them as he did for me, long before I fully understood the calling as my life’s calling.
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Reverend Jeffrey Reed and his wife, Pastor Tina Reed, in 2020 | Shoofly file photo

 
Bishop Reed blessed me in ways he never fully knew. His impact is woven into my walk, my ministry, and my growth as a man. I honor him, I thank God for him, and I will carry his influence and legacy with me for the rest of my life.
 
Writer's Bio: Jason M. Sr., known as “LP,” is a Gulf Coast-born artist, youth advocate, licensed barber, educator, motivational speaker, life coach, and author. A Miles College alumnus and award‑winning artist, he has led national youth outreach for over 20 years and founded the community organization Our Corner of the Coast.
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