Ordinary Work

If you know anything about Mountain T.O.P., you know that we aren't unique. As a matter of fact, we are pretty ordinary. Our mission is borrowed. Our inspiration is borrowed. We are plain people of the Kingdom trying to live out its vision.

Here is a snippet of our history as quoted from the website:
"After serving together at the Hinton Rural Life Center in North Carolina during the summer of 1974, several youth from Blakemore United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee wanted to take their experience into their own 'backyard.' After much prayer and planning, the Mountain T.O.P. dream was born. The backyard turned out to be the Cumberland Mountain counties east of Nashville. In the summer of 1975, the first Mountain T.O.P. camp was held at Beersheba Springs Methodist Assembly in Grundy County. Over 200 participants, representing 12 church families, were a part of this first camp."

Each person who passes through our gates hears the same message: the life-long call of Jesus to "fish for people"(Matt 4.18-20). We love to hear of former MTOP participants who go home and do the MTOP thing in their own "backyard". And countless groups have done just that.

The Starfish Project began as one of these ministries. It's an outreach of Pulaski FUMC (TN), a long-time participant in MTOP's programs. People like Maria Wong and Shane Woodard seek out needs in their church family and community. Every 3rd Saturday, a group of committed adults meets at the church, has a short devotional, and goes to work. Projects are paid for by group members or through another church outreach: Matthew 5 Thrift Store. The proceeds from the thrift store fund missional work, whether that is paying for building materials or an electric bill.

The name, Starfish Project, came from that well known, adapted story about saving starfish, one at a time. Appropriate, when considering how we are viewed by people who think our work is small and insignificant when staring into the face of extreme circumstances. But, oh, how amazing is our Father's love, that not only does he notice the injustices, but also he invites us to participate in making them right.

In a pool of sand and silt a starfish had thrust its arms up stiffly and was holding its body away from the stifling mud.

"It's still alive," I ventured.

"Yes," he said, and with a quick yet gentle movement he picked up the star and spun it over my head and far out into the sea. It sunk in a burst of spume, and the waters roared once more.