Logo Church Nears Groundbreaking!  

     Our Knoxville District Mission Team had a great trip to South Sudan from November 6-16. We were with the people of Logo village on three of those days. On Sunday, we worshipped in their makeshift covering because their previous structure had collapsed. Our worship service was cut slightly short by a hard rainstorm that forced us into a nearby tukul. (Some suggested God may have sent this storm so the people would not have to endure my preaching any longer!) The next day our team met with their leaders to discuss further details of our covenant with them, along with finalizing the details of the new church to be built. As a group of children came through and shook our hands, I told the gathering that my heart was warmed as I envisioned them worshipping in this new church throughout their lives. (Once again, THANK YOU to all who contributed to this project!) The third day we were back in the village to assist our medical personnel as they performed health screenings on the children.

     We also visited the GRACE Home orphanage. Wes and Heather Hayes (from Christ UMC in Halls) and my daughter Becca especially connected to the children there. Wes and Doug Jennings made sure the swing set was completed, much to the delight of the children. Heather was in her element wherever there were children! Becca enjoyed sharing time with Drs. Lynn and Sharon Fogelmann in various settings. And I discovered that Rev. Jennings (pastor at Mascot and Strawberry Plains) is a super handyman. I think he can take apart and put back together almost anything! He and I also enjoyed sharing two days of classes with the pastors of the district.

     I continue to give thanks for the leadership that Rev. Fred and Libby Dearing are offering there in Yei. Please keep them in your prayers, along with the Fogelmanns. I also express much gratitude to Rev. Mike Sluder for his missionary heart and the leadership he is now giving in the area of missions for all of Holston Conference. He was invaluable in getting us through all of the airports!

     As the people of the Knoxville District, be assured that you are serving the mission of Jesus Christ with the people of South Sudan. Seeds of grace and hope are being sown throughout that land. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

Love, Grace & Peace,

Nathan Malone

Mission Opportunities:

• $1/Day for one year to pay for the new Wesley House! We invite individuals, families and groups to pledge $30/month for one year to pay off the loan for the new building which continues to grow our ministry to children in the inner city.

• Volunteer at Wesley House. Call 524-5494 to find out how you or your group can serve the children and staff there. Individuals and groups can make a big difference!

• Camp Wesley Woods - work teams and capital funds are always welcomed here.

• Our Covenant with Logo Village - people to be on our next mission team to travel there and funds to support the covenant.

Way to Go! Way to Give!

            Check out the new video message of gratitude each month on the Holston Conference website www.holston.org. (Messages from previous months are also archived there.) These are excellent opportunities to share with the people of your church about the difference they are making in the lives of others.

Giving Tuesday: Help your favorite

 Holston ministry on Dec. 2

Holston Conference members are encouraged to support their favorite Holston ministries on Dec. 2, when the denomination celebrates "Giving Tuesday" with a promise to match the first $1 million in donations. 

Holston-related ministries established as "The Advance" projects under the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) are eligible to receive matching donations.

Last year on "Giving Tuesday," United Methodists collectively raised a record $6.5 million on line in through The Advance. 11,000 individuals and churches in 34 countries gave more than 16,300 gifts to mission and ministries they believe in. 

In Holston Conference, a ministry supported by the Johnson City District, the English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Prague received a total $7,090 in last year's "Giving Tuesday" donations. Jubilee Project in Sneedville, Tenn., received $5,130 in 2013. Holston's Church and Community Workers, who are also supported through The Advance, received as little as $25. (See 2013 report.)

Find out more about Giving Tuesday and how to give to United Methodist missions.