FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2010
SWARTZ CREEK, Mich. – Dr. Jack Ewing, Executive Director for The Foundation for Evangelism, presented Swartz Creek United Methodist Church with the 2010 Culture of the Call Church plaque on August 29 at the church’s worship service. Dr. Ewing was the guest preacher that morning and was pleased to present this award for the first time.
“It will be very important for the future of The United Methodist Church that more churches embrace the important responsibility of identifying, nurturing, encouraging, and supporting young people who have the gifts and graces for pastoral ministry and are called by God to this role.” said Dr. Ewing. ” I am so pleased that Swartz Creek UMC is the first recipient of the Culture of the Call Award as they are a congregation that has clearly embraced this responsibility and has been doing it well. There is definitely a culture of the call within this congregation. We hope that more congregations will be inspired by their example and accomplishments.”
Swartz Creek UMC’s history of leading young people into the ministry convinced District Superintendent Eugene Blair to nominate the congregation for the prestigious award. Swartz Creek UMC is a place where, “young people continually see ministry as a positive and viable option for their lives because of what they see and experience in evangelism and discipleship ministries,” said Dr. Blair. The award was announced May 23 at the Detroit Annual Conference held at Adrian College in Adrian, Mich.
The Culture of the Call Church Award recognizes one local congregation of The United Methodist Church with a history of helping young people age 35 or younger experience God’s call to full time Christian service as a result of affiliation with that church. The award is presented by The Foundation for Evangelism as part of its vision to raise up generations of leaders with a passion for evangelism. Swartz Creek United Methodist Church is the first church to receive this award.
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The Foundation for Evangelism contact information:
Barbara Bowser, Communications
The Foundation for Evangelism
125 N. Lakeshore Drive · PO Box 985
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
(800) 737.8333 · (828) 454.6800
www.foundationforevangelism.org
bbowser@foundationforevangelism.org
Photos:
http://foundationforevangelism.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Swartz_Creek_YouthGroup.jpg
(courtesy of The Foundation for Evangelism)
Caption (left to right): Barbara Benjamin, declared candidate; Rose Parks, Lay leader; Rev. Dr. Eugene Blair, Flint District Superintendent; Rev. Dr. J.D. Landis, Swartz Creek pastor; Dr. Jack Ewing; Rev. Justin and Katy White, Virginia Conference; Ray White, staff parish co-chair.
Want more information?
Swartz Creek UMC ( http://umc-sc.org/)
The Foundation for Evangelism Website (www.foundationforevangelism.org)
