By Curtis Richardson and Dr. Stephen Love
HUGER—On Sept. 17-19, a United Methodist Men’s teaching church event marked the beginning of a new start for men’s ministry presence in the Charleston district—and among the churches of the St. Thomas Charge and Stewart Chapel United Methodist Church, the host congregation.
This was a powerful event calling all men first to worship and then to service. The event began at Stewart Chapel UMC, with two nights of praise and worship led with the preaching of the Rev. James Friday, Greenwood District superintendent. The experience begin with worship service on Sept. 17 with Friday bringing a strong opening word to the body of men. His sermon was titled, “Is There a Kingdom Man in You?” Then, on Friday, he brought another word: “Will You Be the Man?”
The event, “In Search of the David Within You,” came about because of a vision from God to bring men together for the sole purpose of spiritual renewal and energizing a new spiritual commitment for ministry among men within the UMMen in the church.
The Scripture reference for workshop was 1 Samuel 16:13: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.”
On Saturday, the event continued at the Cainhoy Elementary Middle School with the following workshops: “You’ve Been Overlooked for Too Long: Forgotten But Favored,” led by Rev. Jeffery Salley, congregational specialist for African-American Ministries and the Hartsville and Columbia districts; “Empowering the Fight In You,” led by Rev. Jeff Dunn, pastor of Christ UMC, Myrtle Beach; and “Uncovering the Gifts Within You,” led by Keith Britton, president of the Northeast Conference Lay Organization Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church.
The worship services had more than 120 in attendance each night. The Saturday workshops were attended by approximately 60 men. Each workshop offered information that taught and challenged men to right living. They reminded all present of the king within and the responsibility to live as men of God in all walks of life.
We want to encourage all men to seek out other UMMen teaching church events and join us at the Men-N-Ministry weekend in February in Myrtle Beach.
Richardson is Charleston District UMM coordinator and event organizer. Love is senior pastor of the St. Thomas Charge.
