This past Sunday Mountain T.O.P. was invited by Shelbyville First United Methodist Church to come be a part of their Missions Fair. I was also invited to speak about Mountain T.O.P. during the morning worship service. After some technical difficulties, the power point presentation was underway. Shelbyville FUMC has lots of friends of Mountain T.O.P. including John Carney and Andy & Edna Lee Borders. Andy Borders cooked a fabulous meal for the Missions Fair which consisted of pork loin, green beans, sweet potato casserole, fruit salad and the most amazing Earthquake Cake for dessert. I definitely should've taken a picture of the plate of food. The people of Shelbyville FUMC love and support Mountain T.O.P. in many ways and we thank you!!!
On Sunday, Ed was asked to speak at Germantown UMC. He was given the opportunity to speak at two different times to a good group of folks. Germantown UMC has been a longtime friend of the ministry. Thank you Germantown UMC for inviting Mountain T.O.P. into your space. Good conversation, good questions, good friends!
This past weekend, I had the privilege of visiting Christ UMC in Plano, Texas. Glen Thorton, a member of the church working on expanding the mission opportunities for the congregation, called in a few weeks ago about AIM. I just so happened to be visiting Fort Worth, so I asked if I could come speak to those interested in hearing more about Mountain T.O.P.
Glen set me up with a projector and meeting space and advertised throughout the sunday school classes. We had a great group of interested people, including the missions coordinator, Linda, youth director, Amanda, and several other church staff members. (Oh, and Linda brought us some dunkin’ donuts and coffee ... mmm!)
Glen set me up with a projector and meeting space and advertised throughout the sunday school classes. We had a great group of interested people, including the missions coordinator, Linda, youth director, Amanda, and several other church staff members. (Oh, and Linda brought us some dunkin’ donuts and coffee ... mmm!)
It turns out that one of the preachers, Rev. Stacey Piyakhun, attended Mountain T.O.P. as a youth!!! Mark got to hear Stacey preach and we both got to meet her after the service. She fondly remembers building an out house :) and told me that her grandparents noticed something different in her the week she got back from Mountain T.O.P.
I have always felt that part of my personal calling at Mountain T.O.P. is to hone in on the objective to actively encourage the Christian growth of the participants and staff who come to Mountain T.O.P. Stacey’s story reminded me of the HUGE part Mountain T.O.P. plays in the spiritual formation of youth and adults. Her words inspire me to persevere and serve with all my being as we continue seeking God’s spiritual vision for this summer.
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