The seeds of love: at the Mustard Seed in Brandon, mentally challenged adults find a nurturing environment and a unique creative outlet.

As 2005 approaches, Mustard Seed Inc. director Paul Jones is looking forward to celebrating the organization's silver anniversary as a therapeutic Christian community for moderately mentally challenged adults. "We've made it 25 years, thanks be to God!" said Jones.

Founded in 1981, the privately run facility in Brandon serves 34 clients, 13 of whom live in group homes on campus. The rest participate in a day program filled with enrichment activities including music instruction, educational field trips, and a unique art program hailed around the state for the one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces it generates.

The Mustard Seed's mission is to provide a loving Christian community that meets the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of its clients to aid them in fulfilling their potential, Jones said. "God gives us all potential. They need help finding and making the most of that potential," Jones said. "What we are is a unique little subdivision of God's kingdom."

The Mustard Seed is also unique in that it seeks to meet the needs of a community that is often underserved by existing services. Few educational programs exist for mentally challenged adults who have adequate self-care skills but little ability to work or live independently, Jones noted. "This group can be underserved," he said.

Many of the "Seedsters" have congenital disorders such as Down's Syndrome, while others have no specific medical diagnosis but show cognitive deficits on evaluation. The program serves residents as young as 21 and others who are older, Jones said. "Our oldest client is 63 years old, and he's such a spring chick," Jones said. "He's a leader and a real participant."

Although the organization endorses the Christian viewpoint and message, the Mustard Seed is a non-denominational facility. Most of its financial support comes from local churches and individuals. "The majority of our church support base is Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian," said Jones. "(Residents) currently go to First Baptist Church of Jackson, and it's because they provide a special-needs Sunday School class." Through their music education program, the 18-member Mustard Seed Bell Choir ministers in area churches with one or two performances a month, more often during the Christmas season. "They are actually able to go into churches and lead in the worship services," Jones said.

Three-quarters of the Mustard Seed's income is from donations, and one-quarter is from tuition and sales from their gift shop, where the art created in their acclaimed enrichment program is sold to the public. "Eighty-five percent of our income goes directly into our educational programming," said Jones.

The Seedsters' ceramics received national recognition in 2003 when the Mustard Seed prepared 50 ceramic ornaments to hang on Mississippi's tree at the Pageant of Peace in Washington, D.C. The Mississippi tree, one of 56 representing each state and territory, was located near the National Christmas Tree on the White House grounds. Twenty-five of the special ornaments were in the shape of the state of Mississippi, while the other ceramic teardrops, bells, and balls were painted according to the residents' personal taste, according to Rachel Remus, Mustard Seed operations manager.

This year, the Mustard Seed has created a group of new angel ornaments that will again grace the Mississippi Christmas tree in the nation's capital, according to Remus. Although these specific ornaments are not returned to Brandon, Mississippians can buy decorations similar to both years' special ornaments.

A trip to the facility's gift shop reveals that the ornaments only represent a small part of the Seedsters' ceramic offerings. Serving trays, vases, mugs, platters, canvases, and flowerpots, all painted in a wide variety of vivid colors and patterns, cover the walls and shelves of the store.

The quality of the ceramics and the story of their creation was very compelling to Washington project organizers, said Audrey Hartsell, coordinator for the state trees. "We try to find not only someone who will do something attractive that represents the state, but a group who is happy to be able to do the projects," she said. And who better than the Mustard Seed, whose participants' sheer joy shows in every piece they create?

The Mustard Seed Gift Shop is located at 1085 Luckney Rd. in Brandon. Visitors are asked to call ahead. Ceramics are also available at gift shops around the state. For details, call 601/992-3556 or www.mustardseedinc.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TEMPY SEGREST