Two weeks before what was once a thriving annual event was to take place, Wayne Custer received some discouraging news. Only four men, four scout leaders, and 20 scouts had registered for the West Virginia Conference United Methodist Men’s annual Circuit Rider event at Jackson’s Mill.
In 2023, there had been 600 scouts and 140 men, Custer, West Virginia Conference president for United Methodist Men, explained. And in some recent years, as many as 800 scouts had participated.
“Some of the newer officers wanted to cancel,” Custer said. “But I said, ‘I won’t cancel. Not this one. I may not plan one for next year, though.’ ”
And then he prayed.
“Constantly,” he said. “I couldn’t get on my knees because of bad knees, but I was constantly asking God for guidance.”
Not only did Custer receive guidance, but within the next two weeks, he received good news. The day before his deadline to confirm the number of needed meals for the event, 15 United Methodist Men had registered, along with 70 adult scout leaders and 140 scouts.
“I was relieved that the numbers came up, but the devil was still working on this,” Custer said. The group’s scheduled keynote speaker suddenly canceled due to health issues.
“So I pulled a rabbit out of my hat,” Custer said, speaking about drawing on connections he had formed over decades of involvement with United Methodist Men on the national level.
“Bishop James E. Swanson graciously stepped forward and said he would be here,” Custer said.
Swanson retired as bishop of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church on Jan. 1, 2023. He currently serves as interim general secretary of United Methodist Men.
Years ago, Swanson and Custer bonded over a technology joke that poked fun at West Virginia and Mississippi.
“We’ve had brotherly love ever since,” Custer said.
They also bonded over bow ties, something their mothers had insisted they wear and taught them to tie when they were young boys.
By the time the event arrived, West Virginia’s United Methodist Men were prepared to host a weekend that included mountain bike riding, STEM activities, history lessons, blacksmithing, climbing walls, forestry, demonstrations, and other activities for scouts and their leaders.
They even had a Dutch oven cook off, which Swanson helped to judge.
“He spoke to us all about standing on the rock and relationships,” Custer summarized, noting the significance of the vesper rock behind the Jackson’s Mill chapel, which United Methodist Men built in 1957.
”It turned out to be a great event,” Custer said. “This is story about faith and trust in your faith.”
And Custer is still relying on that faith. His prayers for United Methodist Men continue, not only for next year’s Circuit Rider but because out of 850 churches in the West Virginia Conference, there are only 57 registered men’s groups. Custer said anyone interested in starting or re-organizing a men’s group at their church should contact him at 304-238-6807 or via email.
“We have a lot of work to do,” he said. “But I’m encouraged. … At the end of the weekend, I’m walking out on the grassy knoll and two Tenderfoot scouts are walking next to me, and I said, ‘How are you?’ And they said, ‘We know you’re responsible for stuff and you’re in charge. We just want you to know we’re definitely coming back next year.’ So I’ve already been challenged.”