Memphis in the Summer

• SA Engages

June 4, 2021

It is finally summertime! After a hectic year of classes, we can finally enjoy this summer sun. As we exhale from this past semester, we take up our summer jobs and disperse all over the world. This summer, I have the privilege to work for a church in Memphis, Tennessee.

This past summer, I went to Memphis for the first time and had no idea what to expect. This summer as I get to return to work at Bellevue Baptist Church, and I am ecstatic to go back to my Memphis family  to work with 4^th and 5^th grade ministry this summer.

As I visit and live in Memphis, I have discovered how uniquely beautiful Memphis is in comparison to different cities. I have traveled the world, and I have stood on the beaches of the Bahamas, seen Paris at night, and walk the streets of New York City but through it all there is no place like Memphis. The city of Memphis is packed with history, food, and culture.

The city was formally established in the early 18^th century and is located on the southwest corner of Tennessee. It is built on the Mississippi River and is a central point in the US. Memphis is home of the National Civil Rights Museum. The museum is located at what was formally the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in 1968. After visiting this sobering museum, I recognized that the Lorraine Motel still has the same cars parked there from the day Dr. King was shot, and they have a reef hanging in the balcony where he was shot to honor him and the movement he started. Another historical landmark is Beale Street. This downtown street is known for all the constant live music and restaurants found here. The city of Memphis has deep roots in jazz and rock and roll. The great singers, Elvis Presley and Justin Timberlake, are from Memphis as well. On top of that, Elvis has a mansion named “Graceland” which was his home.

The city is also known for its great variety of food and local restaurants. The city has many different BBQ restaurants: Central BBQ, Rendezvous, and Commissary all in which have been noted as local favorites. Central BBQ is the hang out place and is famous for their BBQ nachos. Outside of BBQ there is also some great fried chicken places to try. Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken is a Memphis signature and one of my personal favorites. Another great place to get some good chicken is Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, and if you have an urge to eat some spicy chicken, this is the place for you! Then, if you are feeling tired after eating all this food, you have a huge variety of some great coffee shops that can be found through the whole city. All this food and coffee can be great ways to build community, but what really makes the city great is the culture.

The culture of Memphis rallies around the term “901”. 901 is the area code used in Memphis and the surrounding area, and the people of this city champion their city. They believe in Memphis and all of its local endeavors. While working at Bellevue, I made so many friends that are Memphis locals. They were able to show me all the beautiful art and music created by all the creative locals. A lot of my closest friends go to the University of Memphis, and they love it. I have never been to a city where so many different people with different backgrounds and different worldviews all still rally around a love for their city. Memphians are some of the friendliest people, and their hospitality is unmatched. Memphis was home to the first Passion Conference as they met in Shelby Farms Park. The church also has a huge impact on this city, and the ministry reaches far past the walls of their church building.

As I work at Bellevue for the second summer, I get to reflect on the history of the beautiful church in this growing city and look forward to the healthy growing change that is taking place even now. I have grown to love this beautiful, diverse, and growing city not just because of what it has to offer but because of the people that live here. So, if you ever want to eat some good food, meeting some incredible people, and make memories you will never forget, Memphis, Tennessee is the place to be.

---