Three churches and a United Methodist Church District were awarded Equipping the Local Church Grants in June 2022. They tell about their initiatives and how they are inviting their communities to join the Christian journey.
Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Winston Salem, NC
Pastor Mary Miller says New Beginnings Dinner Church to Go ministry is a place where everyone has a place, where Christ’s love shines through. It’s a place where we make new friends and strengthen old friendships, where we gather and say grace and worship in all kinds of places, and where Messy Church and Dinner Church meet, to take Christ’s love to the streets.
Smoky Mountain District, Western NC Conference of The United Methodist Church
District Superintendent, Dr. Jae Lee describes Re(Discover) Evangelism as a “heart movement” by offering ourselves to our neighbors in the love of Christ. It’s an initiative to equip clergy and lay leaders who will go through 3 training sessions and an evangelism pilgrimage led by teachers from different ethnic backgrounds and perspectives, scholars and practitioners, to grow and build confidence in a Wesleyan way of evangelism.
Patton United Methodist Church, Franklin, NC
Patton Sunday Supper will be a worship service centered around a meal, especially geared for those who are uncomfortable in church sanctuaries and who need a meal or fellowship. Most importantly the desire is to invite attendees to join the Christian journey.
Snow Hill – Iotla United Methodist Charge, Franklin, NC
Pastor D’Andre Ash was the first black pastor appointed in the Smoky Mountain District of The United Methodist Church. He and these two churches have begun an experiment called The Gospel in Black and White, with a vision to record the faith stories of those in the congregation (and someday beyond), and then to share those stories online, inviting those who see it to join the Christian journey. Discussion, reconciliation, and hope are the outcomes desired Through this work of faith-sharing.
