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wings
Blessings come from
Big Stone Gap & Chattanooga
Holston Conference, my new home, continues to make me so proud. In this Annual Conference, people and churches have caught the spirit of the Good Samaritan. I want to lift up two such places - although I could have chosen so many others, because there are so many other examples. Yet, even as I lift these two models, I ask that other congregations find ways to share with each other how the Lord is moving in your midst - calling you to share "the old, old story" in your communities and beyond.
On Tuesday morning, Feb. 8, I had the joy of sharing conversation and good eating with the pastors of our Big Stone Gap District at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wise, Va. Later that evening, I spoke at the Black History Month program sponsored by the Wesley Foundation at University of Virginia's College at Wise. Following the program, I spoke with Phillip Bates, outreach minister of Andover UMC, and he shared with me the work he is engaged in at Appalachian Prayer Fellowship.
Phillip was so excited about how the Spirit of God is moving at the Prayer Fellowship! He said they began this work with five persons attending, and in the last few months, the number has grown to 25. He spoke of the joy he experienced as he baptized new believers. He spoke of his joy in reaching people that may not have been reached if the Andover congregation had not realized a need to go outside their walls. You could see joy on his face and almost experience the worship with him afresh and new. I went to Big Stone Gap to be a blessing - and received a blessing as I was reminded that God is not through with us yet.
On Sunday morning, Feb. 6, I preached twice at First-Centenary UMC in Chattanooga, Tenn. Once again, it was after the worship that I discovered a tremendous outreach ministry. The director of the church's Inner City Ministries, Karen Fletcher, introduced herself to Delphine and me and offered to take us on a tour of the facilities.
Inner City Ministries dates back to 1968, when some women of the church noticed needy children playing outside. The women invited the children in and began a tutorial program that has grown to encompass many rooms in the church's facility. I was told that the majority of these children are African Americans and Hispanic. I heard that it is almost impossible to count the number of volunteers that assist with this program. In fact, while we were touring one of the members came by to begin preparation for the next day. I saw books, beautifully decorated walls, and pictures of happy children and workers, and I thought to myself, "God, this is proof that your Son did not die in vain."
Thank you, Phillip and Karen, for my blessings on Sunday and Tuesday, and thank you for the ministry you do every day in Jesus' name.
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Bishop James Swanson
Resident Bishop
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