ONE Matters Award
Jordan Chapel United Methodist Church was awarded the 2023 ONE Matters Award. In 2021 the church had no baptisms; in 2022 celebrated five baptisms, four of which were for people over the age of 13. The congregation involves about 30 people for in-person worship each week and another 30 online. They had 15 first-time attendees during the past year. The confirmation class resulted in 14 professions of faith. The small and growing congregation was awarded $1,000 and a plaque from the partnership with WVUMC and the United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. Jordan Chapel is in the Greenbrier Wesleyan District and is served by Pastor David Lancaster.
Harry Denman Evangelism Awards
Kevin Yates (laity) and Robert Fulton (clergy) were awarded the Harry Denman Evangelism Award for 2023.
Yates drives the van for 4th Street UMC in Huntington and provides transportation for persons in addiction recovery homes. He uses travel time to share his faith story and his journey of recovery with his passengers. Many of those have made professions of faith, received baptism, and joined the church.
Robert Fulton, pastor of Hamlin UMC led the merger of two churches, the building of a new facility (in the midst of a pandemic), and led the way in innovative worship and partnering with the local community. Finding creative ways to engage worshippers, Fulton led parking lot worship, Upward Sports in the church’s gym, and focused on those new to the church. Nine baptisms, 27 first-time guests, and more than 400 online worshippers are the result of Pastor Bob’s efforts.
Francis Asbury Award
Angela Gay Kinkead was the recipient of the Francis Asbury Award for her work fostering United Methodist Ministries in higher education and going above and beyond to help students during her tenure at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She mentored, fed, and improved student success while ministering to them spiritually during her career at the United Methodist affiliated college.
Global Missions Service Award
Pastor Sarita Robinson and Dr. Michael Richards along with the Cornerstone Charge team were awarded the Global Missions Service Award. This is only the second time this award has been granted. The Global Missions Service Award recognizes congregations and individuals who do outstanding work in the community, beyond the walls of the church. Robinson, Richards and the Cornerstone team have thus far welcomed and assisted two families from Ukraine. Thanks to the Cornerstone Charge Churches from across the MonValley have supported these families and shown them the love of Christ.
