The Journey Summer 2024

Journey The

Summer 2024

Featured Story: Cline Church Nursery

The Generational Blessings of Faith, Perseverance, and Hard Work (left to right - Cline Church, Amber Scott, Alex Church, Ellen Church)

Also Featured in this issue: Ben Cox, Emily Dinsmore, Eric Henderson, George and Megan Shinn and Jeff Smith

Inspirational Stories by People You Know

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Owner & Publisher Ben Cox Co-Owner & Distribution Manager Connie Cox Graphic Designer Terry Henry Editor & Blog Manager Caroline McCrorey Accounts Manager Heather Cotten

Ben Cox | Caroline McCrorey | The Church Family | Emily Dinsmore Eric Henderson | Terry Henry | Jeff Smith | Maggie Watts | George & Megan Shinn

Contributing Writers

© 2024 High Country 365

Online flip-through version, distribution locations, and other inspirational content available at: JOURNEYNC.COM 828.263.0095 | info@journeync.com 1651 Highway 194 N. • Boone, NC 28607 This magazine is intended to present people’s stories about their personal relationships with God from their point of view. We endeavor to have a diversity of perspectives in the testimonies we share from people who identify themselves as followers of Christ. Furthermore,

we carefully and prayerfully consider the content of the stories we tell, as well as the character of those who tell them. People who share their testimonies with us have experienced God’s love in real ways, and our encouragement for you, is that you also can experience His love wherever your journey takes you.

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CONTENTS 06

06 10 18 24 32 38

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BEN COX:

CONNECTIVITY WITH JESUS, HIS WORD, AND HIS PEOPLE

A Teaching and Introduction to The Summer Journey 2024 Written by Ben Cox

CLINE CHURCH NURSERY:

THE GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS OF FAITH, PERSEVERANCE, & HARD WORK

Written by Maggie Watts, Caroline McCrorey and Ben Cox with the Church family

EMILY DINSMORE:

I PRAY MY LIFE AS A COACH WOULD EXEMPLIFY JESUS’ MISSION

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Written by Emily Dinsmore with Caroline McCrorey

ERIC HENDERSON:

HOW GOD CALLED ME TO EQUIP

Written by Eric Henderson with Caroline McCrorey

GEORGE & MEGAN SHINN:

PASSING ON A LOCAL CORNERSTONE: HOW GEORGE AND MEGAN SHINN ACQUIRED CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE

By Caroline McCrorey with George & Megan Shinn & Ben Cox

JEFF SMITH:

FOLLOWING JESUS FROM BOONE AND BACK AGAIN

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38

32

Written by Jeff Smith with Terry Henry, Caroline McCrorey and Ben Cox

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CONNECTIVITY WITH JESUS, HIS WORD, AND HIS PEOPLE Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus in the High Country A Teaching and Introduction to The Summer Journey 2024

by Ben Cox I am so excited about the stories you are about to Thousands of God fearing Jews and converts to Juread!!! Every one of them accentuates how each person daism had come from many nations to celebrate the followed Jesus into his or her calling and gifting. Then feast of Passover. These religious Jews were well acthey joined with the rest of quainted with the Hebrew the Body of Christ in spreadBible, which Christ following the good news of the ers call the Old Testament.

Kingdom of God to a world So, after Peter preached to that so desperately needs it! them from their own Holy The Kingdoms of this Book, convincing them that world are in chaos, but Jesus, who the religious and the God who created us civil authorities had crucihas a plan to correct all fied, was indeed their Mesthat, which was already siah. Here’s what happened in place before He created according to Acts 2:37-38, the Universe!

“When the people So, what’s the plan? Our heard this, they were Creator’s plan is to welcome cut to the heart and said any human, who is willing, to Peter and the other into His eternal kingdom apostles, ‘Brothers, what of righteousness, justice, shall we do?’ Peter replied, peace, and joy.

‘REPENT and be baptized, However, Jesus Himself every one of you, in the told us that the only way we name of Jesus Christ for can enter His eternal Kingthe forgiveness of your sins. dom and experience abunAnd you will receive the dant life for an eternity is to gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Ben Cox - Owner & Publisher repent!! Repentance simply These passages of Scripmeans that we humans must ture are just 2 among many humble ourselves and acknowledge our need to under- where the Lord reveals His plan in His Book. stand and walk in Our Creator, God’s higher ways.

We know His Book is called the Holy Bible Consider Mark 1:15 where Jesus says this: “The written by prophets, priests, kings and apostles and time has come. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent inspired by the very Spirit of God. But we also know and believe the good news!” In Acts 2, we see the the Bible is a must read for anyone who claims to Apostle Peter emphasizing repentance, just like his be a seeker of truth.

Rabbi Jesus had taught him! Here’s how it went down:

“The Kingdoms of this world are in chaos, but the God who created us has a plan to correct all that, which was already in place before He created the Universe!”

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“But we also know the Bible is a must read for anyone who claims to be a seeker of truth.”

When people ask me what my favorite book is, I’m shall know the truth and the truth will set you free” starting to tell them I don’t have one favorite book, I have (John 8:32). Therefore many of us are learning together 66 favorite books in one volume called the Holy Bible. that the more we read God’s Word, digest it, and hold This book was miraculously written and preserved by each other accountable to obey it, with the Holy Spirit one of the greatest continual Divine interventions that teaching us, the more free and whole we become. our world has ever seen. What I mean by this is that The “unity in our community” that these stories our Creator God inspired many people, over a long represent reveal many different kinds of giftings, period of time, to record His historical account of callings and service from imperfect people who have His chosen people’s waywardness in comparison to learned the value of being continually transformed into His absolute perfection. whole people as we follow our perfect Lord and Savior Then, when God sent His only Son Jesus to fulfill Jesus Christ. By God’s Spirit working in our lives we the Messianic prophecies that He revealed to His are sanctified to be “conformed to the image of Jesus chosen people in the Old Testament, this ultimate Christ” (Romans 8:29).

Divine intervention of God coming to Earth as a According to 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11, 1 Corinthians human, changed the course of human history!! After 12:27-31, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:7-16 & 1 that, the apostles and other followers of Christ were Corinthians 7:6-7 there are approximately 24 “Gifts led by the Spirit to help us connect the dots of the Old of the Holy Spirit” given to believers when we are born Testament to the New Testament just like their Rabbi again and filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus pours these Jesus had done for them. Now through God’s Word and gifts out on us in different ways so that we can form

by God’s Spirit, people are still responding to Jesus’ call One Body of Christ to be His hands and feet that to become His forever followers. shines His light in a messed up world.

In light of this and our own personal faith When this whole idea of spiritual gifts is encounters with God, any serious follower of first mentioned by the Apostle Paul in God’s Christ knows that the Bible was written by the holy and inspired Word, here’s what was said in Divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit through His 1 Corinthians 12:1-7: Holy People. These people were not perfect people, “Now about spiritual gifts, I do not want you to be but they were whole-hearted in their love and ignorant… There are different kinds of gifts, but the devotion to God. same Spirit. There are difTherefore, after our ferent kinds of service, but Therefore many of us are learning together initial salvation experience, the same Lord. There are that the more we read God’s Word, digest we can and should devote different kinds of working, ourselves to following Jesus it, and hold each other accountable to obey but in all of them and in evby allocating large chunks it with the Holy Spirit teaching us, the more eryone it is the same work of of our time to reading His God. But the manifestation free and whole we become.

Word and learning at Jesus of the Spirit is given to each feet. Then He will teach us one for the profit of all.” In

by His Holy Spirit like He promised He would. the rest of the passage, a total of 17 supernatural “manIn addition to this, we will also allocate time to ifestations of the Spirit,” are listed. Those gifts of the gather with other believers around His word to study Holy Spirit should be at work among us. Furthermore, together and “spur each other on to love and good in Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:7-16 & 1 Corinthians works” (Hebrews 10:24).

7:6-7, God’s Word informs us that there are at least 7 Bible belt Christians must realize that our Holy more gifts in addition to those mentioned!!

Bibles are not merely meant to be placed on our And what are we, as followers of Christ coffee tables or in our places of worship or businesses supposed to do with our different giftings? Use and only paid attention to on Sundays, during revival them to be a blessing to all we encounter both services, or Vacation Bible School. Jesus said, “you within and outside the Church!!!

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“The unity we experience in our community has very much to do with the many people of deep faith in Christ who came to settle in these mountains as long ago as the late 1700s.

But it also has much to do with the many “transplants” to the region who were led here to fulfill their unique calling and purpose from God!” Three of the 6 articles in this edition of The Journey are from people who were born and raised in this region. They have found and fulfilled their purpose and calling in the High Country to bless, strengthen and uplift us in one way or another. The other three articles are from transplants to the region.

The unity we experience in our community has very much to do with the many people of deep faith in Christ who came to settle in these mountains as long ago as the late 1700s. But it also has much to do with the many “transplants” to the region who were led here to fulfill their unique calling and purpose from God! The Cline Church family and Eric Henderson come from families who have been rooted here for generations. Pastor Jeff Smith was raised here but left to follow his calling to be a pastor in the Body of Christ in South Carolina. Though he thought he’d never return to this

area, his calling to follow Jesus to come to Boone and pastor First Presbyterian Church is a joy to read.

Transplants like Emily Dinsmore and George and Megan Shinn were also led to come to our community, as you will see in their wonderful stories of obeying God’s call to bless our region with the good news of the Kingdom of God. Reading these stories has also caused me to reflect on my own giftings and calling from God for my wife, Connie, and I to move to Boone, NC 47 years ago. Little did we know that we would still be here in 2024, still fulfilling our call to minister here in the Body of Christ.

So now I invite you to read these testimonies of 6 people who have answered God’s Call, while discovering the power of the Holy Spirit to give them gifts and talents to keep shining the Lord’s lights of love to a world in need.

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THE GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS OF FAITH, PERSEVERANCE, AND HARD WORK: CLINE CHURCH NURSERY Written by Maggie Watts, Caroline McCrorey and Ben Cox with the Church family When Cline Church began planting Christmas with the Forestry Service to promote Christmas tree trees through his Beaver Creek High School Future farming throughout NC. The Forestry Service pledged Farmers of America (FFA) program in Fleetwood that for every tree seedling the FFA students bought, during the 1970s, he never imagined that one day his they would give students another seedling for free. farm would be grow“We were begining the White House ning to see that there Christmas tree. But was a Christmas tree God had plans for industry. There were Cline beyond what already a few growers he could see. here,” Cline said.

Here’s how Cline Cline also met tells how he got his future wife, Ellen, started: “My dad in high school. Ellen had some land on recalls spending her the farm that he let sixteenth birthday me start using and helping Cline plant planting on. It was Christmas trees on some of the roughthe family farmland.

The Church Family Farm, where all the growing and blessings happen. est land on the farm.

“Ellen and I startBut of course, at that ed becoming friends, time, Christmas trees were such and even a little closer than a new crop that a lot of farmers friends, at a very early age. We didn’t think it would ever bewere still in high school. I was come a lucrative industry.” The driving the school bus route that industry had really only begun she lived on. So she caught my in the 1950s nationally and there eye. And next thing you know, I were still a lot of unknowns. was pleading with her to go out At this time, the Christmas with me,” Cline said. “I was fortree industry was young in North tunate enough a couple of years Carolina. Farm-grown Christlater to end up marrying her at a mas trees were gaining popularivery young age.” ty on the West Coast, but not yet “I look back at those days in North Carolina. Cline said the and think, ‘God had to be in it,’” North Carolina Forestry Service he said. “God is sovereign. He and North Carolina State Uniknew what he was doing because versity Cooperative Extension He knew what was ahead.” wanted to promote the ChristCline and Ellen chose to mas tree industry in the state. elope during their teenage years The FFA program partnered in the mid-1970s. While this deCline and Ellen Church’s wedding day in 1974 10

THE JOURNEY | Summer 2024

cision might have garnered disapproval from some, the tending Vacation Bible School every summer and regchurches in their community welcomed them back from ularly participating in youth group events.

Amber recalls growing up in the church but having their honeymoon with unconditional love.

“We took off and we got married, and we didn’t have a personal encounter with Christ as a teenager.

“I remember it anything when we vividly. I was in my came back,” Ellen bedroom by myself, said. “Both churchand that conviction es where we went, just came over me. and another church I knew what to do”, in the communishe said. “I prayed. ty, they all gave us And I got up the showers. I’m still next morning, and using pans and difI felt different…I ferent things that I knew that I needgot then.” ed to be baptized.

Cline shared, So, I was baptized “Ellen’s father is when I was 17 in probably the greatthe river, down by est man I’ve ever the church I grew known,” and, “after up at.” we had gotten back, God’s hand has we were at church remained over the the following SunChurch family. The day and he laid his family has continhand on my shoulued to faithfully der, and he said follow Him and ‘Everything will be look to His guidalright.’ I’ll never ance for running forget that.” their Christmas When Cline tree farm over the and Ellen were decades. In the promarried in the cess, Cline Church mid-1970s, the served on the NaNorth Carolina tional Christmas Christmas tree inTree Association dustry was still in for 14 years and he The Church family in front of the White House Christmas tree. the preliminary met other Christian stages of becoming what it is today. The couple faithfully planted Fraser Christmas tree farmers from across the nation.

“I served on the board with several followers of Fir and White Pine seedlings.

Christ, like-minded people. I got to know a great “We know that God had to be in it to give us the faith to plant little seedlings, and to think and believe Christian guy from Michigan and a great Christian that they were going to become something in seven or family from Oregon,” Cline said. “A lot of Christmas tree growers don’t honor what the Christmas tree repeight years that we could sell,” Cline said.

“All farmers are optimists,” Ellen added. “Christ- resents. But I was so fortunate to be able to get to know some of these other believers across the United States. mas tree farmers are the ultimate optimists,” due to And I’m so thankful they were there because they were how long it takes the crop to become harvestable. an inspiration to us.”

Eleven years later, Cline and Ellen had their first The first Christmas tree can be traced to 16th-cenchild, Amber. Two years later, their son, Alex, was born. Amber and Alex were raised in the church, at- tury German Protestant reformers. Many people beTHE JOURNEY | Summer 2024

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Amber, Alex, Cline, and Ellen before the tree was taken off to Washington DC! lieve Martin Luther decorated the first Christmas tree and passed the tradition on to other believers. The first Christmas trees were decorated as a way of celebrating Christ’s birth.

“It’s just so great to be part of an industry that represents such a great thing in the birth of Christ,” he said. The Christmas trees grown at Cline Church Nursery stand for the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ.

As Amber and Alex grew up, they became interested in Christmas tree farming as well. Cline, Ellen, Amber, and Alex now own and manage the Christmas tree farm together.

Amber said she feels like she and Alex are reaping the benefits of generational blessings. “We’re truly reaping the benefits of a generational blessing in being able to come in and take over a business that Mom and Dad have worked their whole lives for—harder than we are going to have to work because it’s already off the ground. All we can do is sustain and maybe grow, but they’ve paid a lot of the dues,” she said. “That generational blessing of faith and hard work is what I hope that we can carry out and instill in our children too.”

In 2022, Cline Church Nursery was awarded National Reserve Grand Champion, meaning they would provide the official tree for the Vice President’s residence, the Naval Observatory. The Churches met Vice President Kamala Harris and presented the champion 12

THE JOURNEY | Summer 2024

tree to her – a 10 foot, North Carolina Fraser Fir. Nearly 30 of Cline Church Nursery’s trees along with garland and wreaths were purchased to round out decorating the Naval Observatory.

Every other year, the National Christmas Tree Association hosts a national tree contest to elect the winners for the next two years. Winners are selected by industry officials and customers voting on the individual who will provide the White House Christmas tree. Cline Church Nursery was selected for the year 2023, and their tree sat in the Blue Room of the White House during the Christmas season. “We’ve competed in multiple competitions to achieve this accolade,” Amber said.

“A tree that size in the White House is a symbol of perseverance.”

The tree that was selected was planted in 2004, when Amber and Alex were in high school.

“A tree that size in the White House is a symbol of perseverance. We have a lot of diseases that we combat with these trees. One that old and that big, that still looks good enough to where you can walk all the way around it and decorate all the way around and everything, is a big thing.

“But God’s been preparing us and laying the way, and He completely went before us. That’s exactly what Deuteronomy 31:8 teaches.”

You know, you have to persevere with whatever 15th. This date is a big deal because it is not easy to dedyou’re doing,” Ellen said. icate time to one tree during this season. However, the “We were astonished when we actually went into party was more than just a celebration, it was a comthe field and found six different trees that would actual- missioning for the mission of the tree. Amber shared, ly meet the specifications. Often they only have two or “it may sound ridiculous, but you pray over a purpose maybe three to choose from,” Amber explained. right? We wanted it to have a purpose and a mission.”

“I don’t know how many times I’ve read Deuteron- Joye Perry, pastor at New River Calvary Church, led the omy 31:8 in the last two months, but God literally went prayer for the tree. before us,” she said. “We didn’t know what field we were “It’s been almost unbelievable. The support that we’ve going to. We were so shocked that we won. I don’t know had, basically all of our career, from the people around that we were prepared. But God’s been preparing us us and in the community. People that we’ve looked up to and laying the way, and He completely went before us. and the mentors that we’ve had,” Cline said. “We’ve been That’s exactly what Deuteronomy 31:8 teaches. He’s just so fortunate to have that throughout the years.” laid out a path, and we didn’t even know it.”

The Church’s opened this event to the public and “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be were surprised by the turnout. They had between 200with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not 250 people at their facility. Many were family, friends, fear or be dismayed.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 God has plans for us beyond what we can see. He goes before and behind us, guiding our every step. Even though we do not know what the future holds, God holds it in the palm of His hand.

Throughout their journey from planting small tree seedlings to presenting the White House Christmas tree, Cline Church Nursery has been amazed by the support from the High Country community.

Prior to sending the tree to Washington, D.C. Cline Church Nursery held a big, community The Church family at the White House tree selection event. From left to right: Amber with husband cutting and send-off Josh and their children, Violet and Annabelle; Ellen and Cline Church; Jill Biden; Alex with wife party on November Ashley and their children, Sawyer and Jackson.

THE JOURNEY | Summer 2024

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neighbors, and church families, but there were also community members who the Churches did not know who wanted to support the business and pray over the tree. Likewise, the Churches felt like it was important to involve the community. Many community partners including the Ashe Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, and Ashe County Christmas Tree Association helped them throw this party.

On Monday, November 20th, the Church family headed to Washington, D.C. to present the 18.5 ft Fraser

Fir to the First Lady, Jill Biden. Along with the Church family was a representative from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, representatives from the National Christmas Tree Association, and Jennifer Greene with the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. A week later, the First Lady announced the White House Holiday Theme: Magic, Wonder, and Joy. It was powerful for the Church family to see the tree they had faithfully watched grow stand tall in the Blue Room of the White House. For Amber and her brother, Alex, it was special to see three generations of Churches there.

On December 16th, 2023 the Church family was invited back to the White House to attend a holiday reception.

During the reception they were able to freely circulate the first floor and take in the Christmas decorations. Amber shared that there were 98 Christmas trees throughout. She said, “It excites me. It should excite us as Christians that they are decorating for [His] holiday. And it was beautiful. Plus, they’re supporting real Christmas tree farmers.

They have an option; they could use artificial trees but because the industry has been diligent in keeping and supporting that relationship, we’ve been able to keep real Christmas trees in the White House since the 60s.”

Cline Church Nursery is continuing to provide the High Country Christmas trees after 46 years in business. The Church family hopes to continue being good stewards of the resources that God has given them. “Rain, sunshine, and temperatures is 75% of what we do and it is completely out of our control,” Amber stated when sharing how this industry truly teaches one to depend on the The Church family was invited to the Vice President’s Residence for a family reception. Lord’s provision.

From the support of the The whole family was able to come: Josh, Amber, Violet, Annabelle, Scott, Alex, Ashley, Sawyer, Jackson Church! local community to growing

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the White House Christmas tree, the Church family has seen God’s blessing upon their lives and business

firsthand. Although they do not know what the future holds, they know God holds it in His hand■

Picture of Churches in the field from the late 90s.

L to R: Ellen, Alex, Amber, and Cline.

Amber Scott and Jackson Church wining the NC Christmas tree wreath contest.

Church family at their farm in Ashe County, NC.L to R: Ellen, Alex, Amber, and Cline.

THE JOURNEY | Summer 2024

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I PRAY MY LIFE AS A COACH WOULD EXEMPLIFY JESUS’ MISSION Written by Emily Dinsmore with Caroline McCrorey

Through this time the Lord continued to draw and soften my heart.

It was a Wednesday night in December of 2008 I grew up in Maryland and went to a catholic when the Lord saved me! school and mass every Our youth group particSunday with my family. ipated in an event called I knew about God and “The Gather” where multibelieved He existed but ple youth groups came tothought it was more about gether for one night. It was following a bunch of rules held at our church and our rather than a personal reyouth pastor spoke at the lationship with the Lord. It event. He gave a beautiful wasn’t until I was in high presentation of the Gospel school that I started to see and it was that night that the difference between just I accepted Christ as my believing and fully surrenLord and Savior. dering. I thought for a long time that following Jesus Romans 10:9 “if you was legalistic but turns out that following Jesus brings confess with your mouth fullness of joy! that Jesus is Lord and

Finding That Jesus Brings Fullness of Joy

Psalm 16:11 “you make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

For the first time I understood beyond just my head knowledge, I also

By His grace: In February 2023, Emily got to baptize Katie, a understood with my heart young girl she disciples through the college ministry. and soul. I understood that Right before my senior year of high school, a field hockey teammate and we are all sinners in need of a savior. Faith and friend, Kendall, invited me to a beach retreat with repentance are inseparable experiences from the her youth group from church. On that trip my perspective on what it meant to know God shifted. I Romans 3:23-24 “for all have sinned and fall learned more about Jesus and how He wanted to short of the glory of God, and are justified by have a personal relationship with me. I also learned his grace as a gift, through the redemption about how much He loved me. that is in Christ Jesus” It was from there that I continued to attend youth group on Wednesday nights with Kendall. Lord’s grace. So, I confessed and believed.

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I Don’t Always Have to Have it ‘All Together’

I am thankful that I don’t always have to have ‘it all together’. I am thankful that Christ died for me.

I can rejoice in the simple truth and have a hope that is unshakeable.

Later, after I was saved, I found out that my friend Kendall had been praying constantly for my salvation for months; she would write her prayers for me in her journal.

There is so much beauty in living on mission for Christ and I am so thankful that my friend Kendall did just that.

After coming to Christ, my whole life changed for the better. I was no longer living for myself; I was seeking the Lord and to glorify Him in everything that I did.

The first few years of faith I continued to learn and grow. I am thankful for the way others faithfully Growing in Faith: Emily playing Field Hockey in college at Liberty University. walked with me and guided me in those early years and even now today.

Sharing the Gospel Through Coaching

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I moved to the High Country in Fall of 2017 when I was hired at Appalachian State as an assistant Field Hockey coach. I had applied to a number of universities, but the Lord made it clear that this was where He wanted me. I have always been passionate about sports ministry – because of my teammate, Kendall. Coming to App State was an A common misconception in salvation is that opportunity to share the Gospel through coaching. once we know Christ, life is always perfect. It is I have been blessed to serve as a coach and in the true that there is so much joy in our salvation, but college ministry at my church. we are still living in a sinful, broken world. Things Our theme verse for our college ministry is aren’t always perfect, but the beauty of the Lord is Acts 20:24: we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Day by day, we are dependent on Him. We can trust Him “But I do not account my life of any value in all circumstances because we know He has our nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish best intentions at heart, even if we don’t undermy course and the ministry that I received stand in the moment.

from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; the grace of God.” be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will I pray that my life as a coach – and in general – strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold would exemplify this mission. I want to testify the gospel of the grace of God! you with my righteous right hand.”

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Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

energy. I can often find myself attempting to rely on my own strength to get through the next task instead of relying on the Lord. I have had to pray through saying no to more things and for wisdom as to not put too much on my plate. Being in this position has really taught me a lot about depenI just finished my first year as head coach. dency on the Lord and how to walk in obedience.

Thankfully, I was an assistant coach here at App

My Mission Field

1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.”

My job as coach is my mission field – on and off the field. I want to honor and glorify God in all that I do and be a light to my team. My team here at App state is a gift. The Lord has entrusted me with them and I want to love them like Jesus loves them.

I love my team dearly only because I have experienced the greatest love of all from what Christ did for me on the cross.

It is my greatest joy to serve the Lord here at App State, even when it is challenging. Spending Emily Dinsmore just finished her first year as Head Coach for App time daily in the Word and in prayer is the only way State’s Field Hockey team.

I am able to live out my faith. It has to be through State for six years before becoming the head coach His strength and not my own. and it helped prepare me for this new role. The Lord has used the past year to sanctify me and is Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” continuing to.

I don’t have it all figured out, but I have an anchor which is my strength day by day. While there have been challenges at times, I have seen the truth of Numbers 6:24-26 in so many ways as I have stepped into this head coach role.

Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

All for His glory: Emily prays that her team would know the love of Christ because He loved her first. She lives her life for His mission on and off the field.

As a staff, we pray every morning. It has been Yes, this new role has been very demanding. such a gift to start the morning this way and pray for Yes, this new role consumes more of my time and our team on a consistent basis. C.S. Lewis says this

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known for as a coach is how much I love Jesus. For me, it is not about the wins, the awesome plays, or the stats, but rather, how I am able to minister to my team.

As humans, we naturally talk about what we love. I pray that I would talk about Jesus more than anything else. At the end of the day, I want our team to know that I love them deeply and that the root of that love comes from God first loving me.

My faith impacts the way I conduct Emily Dinsmore celebrating with assistant coach Azure Fernsler. myself in all spheres of life.

I truly want to be the hands and feet of about prayer, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need Jesus wherever I go■ flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” We are called 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or to constantly be in prayer as we walk with Jesus. In drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory the song Lord I Need You the opening lyrics state, of God.” “Lord I come, I confess, Bowing here I find my rest, Without you I fall apart, You’re the one that guides my heart.”

We are helpless without Jesus. We need Him every hour of every day. He is the one who guides our heart and He is the one worthy of all of our praise.

It is my prayer that when others see me they see Christ.

The only thing I want to be

Being the hands and feet: Emily serving dinner at Bible Study for Perkinsville College Ministry.

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HOW GOD CALLED ME TO EQUIP Written by Eric Henderson with Caroline McCrorey

I

was born and raised in Boone, I am a Watauga CounI was young, but for the first time in my life I felt ty native. In 1970 my parents, Buck and Marcella the Holy Spirit working in my heart. Shortly after that Henderson, had their third child, me. Both of my night I was baptized in Elk Creek, just across the road parents were also born and raised in Watauga Coun- from the church. I will never forget that day for as long ty; we come from as I live. Like I a deep heritage said, I was young on both sides of and didn’t really my family where know a lot about faith, family, ‘religion’ or true and community saving faith, but, were woven into I knew God was the fabric of our speaking to me character from through His Spirit the time I can relike never before. member.

From that Growing up moment on my my family went to life really didn’t Mount Ephraim change for me Baptist Church. because I was so I was a 5th genyoung and as a Eric preaching at Mount Vernon. eration member part of a family of there before movfaith, life just went ing to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, where I currently on as usual. Yes, I truly believed but there was no real serve as one of the pastors on staff. call for repentance for such a young believing child.

Fearing the Lord As a young child I recall attending a “singing” at Mount Ephraim. If I remember correctly, they were called the Singing Echoes. It was a big deal to have a

God put the fear of the Lord in my heart that night and I could do nothing else but respond in faith. group arriving in a huge bus to sing at our little church.

What I did not know is God had great things in store for my soul that evening. One of the singers was sharing the gospel and gave an invitation to anyone who needed Jesus to rescue them from their sins. God put the fear of the Lord in my heart that night and I could do nothing else but respond in faith.

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The Henderson Family (L to R): Hayes Henderson, Eric Henderson, Angela Clarie Henderson, Kimberly Henderson, and Jake Henderson.

Growing up I was in a culture that professed you’re truly a ‘man’ at 12 years old. Meaning, you could be married at 18 with a full time career and children. This culture caused me to grow up fast and fearless in independence. With all that independence, freewill grew more dangerous; whatever my selfish heart desired, especially pleasure of any kind, I chased.

Not all the things were inherently bad, but as I look back now it is and was a very dangerous lifestyle. It was a mentality of whatever you want, whenever you want

Learning and living through many difficult experiences, God has never left my side no matter how far I have drifted. it without truly seeking God’s will for my life. I will spare the details of my sinful past, but I will say that the bible is correct, sin is fun for a season but in the end it leads to destruction and pain (Hebrews 11:25).

He is Faithful To His Children Learning and living through many difficult experiences, God has never left my side no matter how far I have drifted. Thirty plus years removed from this lifestyle and it brings great assurance to me that as the scripture teaches, our security of salvation is through Jesus Christ. According to Deuteronomy 31:8, He promises to never leave you or forsake you! God is and has been faithful to me no matter what I did and that is a promise to all of His children.

As I grew up, despite many of my bone-headed decisions, God continued to bless me. He gave me a wife, Kimberly, and we have been married for 27 years. God called and gifted her to teach. She currently teaches at Cove Creek Elementary. We have experienced a lot of life together and God has used each and every one of those moments to shape us for His glory.

My wife and I started attending Mount Vernon in 2002. At this time God really started working in our lives as we grew as young parents. God has called me to ministry and affirmed that calling during our early years at Mount Vernon. We have been serving at Mount Vernon for 17 years now. To say the least, a lot of life has happened from 2002 to now.

We cannot share our testimonies apart from how God used problem pregnancies to reveal His miraculous power to us. God did things that doctors could not

In the winter of 2006, God woke me up in the middle of the night with the revelation that His will for my life was to use sports to reach kids and families for Christ in the High Country. explain; as the faith community knows, it’s just God being God. God has blessed us with three beautiful children in which we are very proud of: Hayes, 24, Angela Clarie, 19, and Jake, 18. There were problem pregnancies, but God got us through them all and our children are healthy, vibrant young adults serving God as they

Throughout the years Equip Ministries has offered football, baseball, and basketball.

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God had everything He needed in place to birth Equip Ministries at Mount Vernon that summer. As we say, the rest is HiStory!

Equipping the next generation: Eric and those that serve with him have been able to reach the hearts of so many young boys for Christ through sports. do life. Everyday Kimberly and I are humbled by His amazing grace.

I know now that God had a call on my life to serve Him at a very young age post-salvation. I, like many who serve in ministry, ran from that ‘call’ originally.

I truly had no clue how or why He would choose me to do anything. I didn’t have confidence in myself and didn’t trust myself. God continuously reminded me that it was not my talents or abilities He was after; He was after a willing heart. God handled the rest once I fully surrendered to the call on my life to do whatever He wanted me to do. It was then that He revealed the vision of birthing a sports ministry.

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Answering the Call to Equip Ministries In the winter of 2006, God woke me up in the middle of the night with the revelation that His will for my life was to use sports to reach kids and families for Christ in the High Country. We had no money, no field, no nothing! All we had was a burning desire to see it through – we relied completely on prayer and God showed up in big and mighty ways. We needed a backstop for the little field and days later one was donated. Then we needed brick dust and days later a load of brick dust showed up.

Bats, balls, helmets, field hands, you name it, we prayed for it, and God provided it.

Chuck Cassada, the youth pastor of Mount Vernon at the time, had a great hand in helping us get Equip Ministries off the ground. A few weeks in, he asked me, “what are you going to call this thing?”

My wife and I turned to the scriptures to search for the answer. The act of equipping people came up over and over again, and thus we landed on the name Equip Sports Ministry.

God had everything He needed in place to birth Equip Ministries at Mount Vernon that summer. As we say, the rest is HiStory!

Fruit, Purpose, and Opportunities of Equip It is all God’s and all for His glory. Equip Sports now has 4 baseball fields with sports lighting and an outdoor pavilion on church property. God has blessed us to have a partnership with our area Optimist Club and we have been leasing two fields and facilities for over 4 years now. All of these facilities allow us to reach more families in this area of the world for Christ. Behind each one of these facilities is a huge move of God to accomplish His will. In all this we

The first night Equip Ministries had sport lights for the fields they celebrated and called it “let there be light night!” L to R: Jamey Hodges, Jameson Hodges, Jake Henderson, and Eric Henderson

Boys praying on the field before a game.

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are humbled to see Him provide all our needs. Keep in the opposing teams if we can have a moment at home mind God answers prayer and sees His plans through plate or the pitcher mound. One of our players or a for His Glory! coach will then share the glove with them. This glove is Now that God has shaped recreation ministry here multi colored and each color helps tell the story of the at Mount Vernon, we see and believe that He has a Gospel (gloves4god.org). promise for Christian discipleship through sports if we For over 14 years we have been a part of the “Coachare obedient to His word. I explain it like this: Jesus es Outreach” ministry. It is a non-denominational minchose 12 and turned the world upside down; He chose a istry with the desire to reach coaches for the gospel. team, invested in them and they were transformed into The ministry was started by legendary football coach, His image through discipleship. As followers of Christ Tommy Mackwell of Texas A&M. After coaching he the ultimate goal is to become felt God leading him to start a His image barriers. In most ministry to serve high school everything in life – whether coaches. In his retirement it’s sports or not – there is an years Tommy went to semiopportunity for discipleship to nary and started this ministry happen. The world wants us to that we and many are blessed choose someone or something by today. The study materito be like or become – we are al is written from coaches for all disciples of something. coaches.

We as members of the body One reason we are pasof Christ are commanded to sionate about this ministry is make disciples of Christ. because coaches have one of At Equip Sports this is our the highest divorce rates in our heart’s desire: to display the country due to the demand love of God by openly sharing and strain placed on families. the Gospel and investing in In light of this, Coaches Outour coaches, players, and famreach offers couples retreats. ilies. Young or old, we know We do believe that Godly that God has a plan and a purcoaches are on the front lines pose for everyone. It is God’s of ministry – it is a calling for Spread the Word: This is the ‘God Glove’ that will that no one should persure! Even the great Billy GraEquip Ministries uses to evangelize to teams they ish but all have eternal life in ham is quoted saying, “a coach are playing with Christ. Sports have a great way will impact more people in one of pulling all walks of life together and we use this to year than the average person in an entire lifetime.” We point all to Christ. have seen God use this area of our sports ministry to Over the past 18 years, Equip Sports has provided a greatly bless and grow us to be more like Christ. variety of sports and ministry opportunities. It is amazOur recreation ministry at Mount Vernon has been ing to see the different facets of the High Country we a part of the county wide church basketball league have been able to reach. since its existence, over 45 years! This league consists Currently Equip Ministries offers youth football of participating churches in Watauga County for high and baseball. Equip Baseball offers what we call “Chal- school boys and girls. This is one of the most beautiful lenge” baseball, single age based teams that compete in secrets in the High Country. We see churches of all tournaments. These teams are based on commitment denominations coming together for one purpose. That level, skill, and tryout. Our Challenge program gives us common purpose is to reach the youth in this county a greater opportunity to invest in our players and fam- for Christ! Kinda sounds like “the great commission” ilies. This is where we have seen the greatest growth in (Matthew 28:16-20), right? relationships and in our Christian discipleship.

We live and serve God in one of the most amazing When our teams travel we use a tool called the God communities in the world. We are so blessed to have Glove to share the good news of Jesus with the oppos- such amazing people who love God and want to make ing teams after the games are played. Our coaches ask a difference in the lives of the folks around them. We 28

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When our teams travel we use a tool called the God Glove to share the good news of Jesus with the opposing teams after the games are played.

Sharing the Word: After a game they ask the opposing team to sit down on the field with them to take a moment to share the gospel. This is typically done using a ‘God Glove’. have certainly not completed the task God has given us and there is no place for pride in the body of Christ.

If we boast we boast of Christ and we pray that we are living exactly in the center of God’s will. Answer the “Call” on your life, God will not disappoint! It will not

be easy and you will get discouraged but in the end it’s all for Him anyway. Just Do it, you and those around you will be blessed■ God Bless, Eric

We live and serve God in one of the most amazing communities in the world.

God provided it all! Eric is so thankful for the joy that it is to serve in Equip Ministries.

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PASSING ON A LOCAL CORNERSTONE: HOW GEORGE AND MEGAN SHINN ACQUIRED CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE

Written by Caroline McCrorey with George & Megan Shinn & Ben Cox

When you drive past Cornerstone Christian Bookstore it stands out against the landscape of Boone. It is a beautiful stone building that contrasts the hustle and bustle of Blowing Rock Road, the main strip of town. George and Megan Shinn believe that “you can feel the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit when you walk through the front doors.” The high ceilings, beautiful lumber detailing, and great customer service reflect this statement.

Passing on the Cornerstone George and Megan Shinn recently became the new owners of Cornerstone Christian Bookstore. John and Pat Pope sold it to them after building up the business for over 40 years. The Shinns have had an affinity for this special place in Boone since the first time they visited. It was a storm of perfect opportunity under God’s providential hand.

The building that stands out -- this elegant building is placed in the middle of the hustle and bustle of town.

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The Shinns have a vacation house in Linville that they frequent often. George shared that whenever they have guests, Cornerstone would be the first place they would bring them to see. He has always been impressed with the store and thought the Popes had done a fabulous job.

They would always purchase books, art, or gifts for their loved ones and friends when browsing.

When George heard that the Popes were potentially selling the bookstore, he felt the Lord leading him to contact them and find out more.

John Pope told George he George and Megan Shinn enjoying a cup of coffee from the complimentary in-store coffee bar. had to make him a promise: the bookstore would stay a Christian bookstore. In George came up with his mantra “you gotta believe.”

George’s mind this was not even a question, he feels George and Megan have been seeking the Lord in how that Christian bookstores are extremely important. Afto most wisely expand the business so more people can ter doing some research, George found that over 1,000 encounter Jesus.

Christian bookstores have closed their doors in the past The Shinns know the importance of deliberately 10 years – this process was expedited by the pandemic. putting God first in business endeavors, or rather in evGeorge has a dream of changing this narrative starting erything. When George was pitching to franchise the with Cornerstone.

Charlotte Hornets he prayed, “help me get through this For George this deal was a done deal, no matter the and ​​I’ll let you be the chairman of the board. I will cost. He shared that, “I felt the Lord had tapped me on follow your lead all the way.” This is the point when the shoulder telling me this is something I need to do.” George says he really turned his life over to God. George feels that his previous business endeavors have George and Megan are passionate about Cornerprepared him to not only maintain Cornerstone Bookstone Bookstore because of their love for the Lord. store, but expand it.

They hope that through investing in Cornerstone to potentially expand they will be able to reach others for the kingdom.

George and Megan’s Personal Cornerstone George grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina in During the early part of his career, he built one of a Christian household. George was raised around the the largest chains of private business schools in the church, but began really growing in faith in college. nation. After selling the schools, George dedicated George had financial struggles in college but said “I all his efforts to bringing the Charlotte Hornets NBA knew that God’s presence was there” because the Lord franchise to North Carolina. With God’s help, and an always provided through jobs and close, important reincredible team of people, George was able to pull lationships.

George’s mom would always make fried chicken off a miracle and bring professional basketball to the on Sundays after church. Except one Sunday George smallest market in the NBA. It was during this time THE JOURNEY | Summer 2024

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The beautiful details, vaultled ceilings, and art work make the space feel so peaceful. There is so much to explore! mistakenly did not go to church and he was disappointed to find out that this meant he did not get his weekly fried chicken. His mom said, “you didn’t go to church” and George argued, “well, I still gotta eat.” But he was told, “Well, you can fix your sandwich.” He shared that his mom would use little tricks like that to motivate him but she had a positive, loving attitude.

His mom had always told him that he needed to focus on the Lord first to be successful in life. In his college days he really learned the importance of this along with prayer. George is grateful for the ways God has blessed him. In some of his hardest times George shared, “I just had the feeling that God was walking right beside me.”

Megan grew up in Dover, Massachusetts which is farmlands right outside of Boston. As a child Megan became very ill, later in life it was diagnosed as lyme disease. Megan shared that this is when her personal relationship with Jesus began, “I asked Jesus to save me and guide me. Through His love and mercy he came into my heart.” Not only was she saved, but she was healed of this disease by “God, the great physician.”

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Megan shared that she continues to grow in her faith today and sees it as such a joy to share her testimony of what God did in her life with others. Through her testimony she wants to share that God is the ultimate healer, both physically and spiritually.

Casting a Vision for Cornerstone Megan felt the Holy Spirit leading her to have Cornerstone partner with churches around the country through an online bookstore. The first steps for Cornerstone is to develop a virtual bookstore tour so people can shop the iconic store from the comfort of their home all over the country. George shared that when they partner with churches everyone will benefit, not only financially, but also spiritually.

The idea is that customers can feel like they are walking through the bookstore. It is a more encompassing experience than traditional online shopping. If the virtual tours are successful, this will lead the way to physically expanding Cornerstone Christian Bookstore in interested markets.

The Shinns are excited about continuing to embark on this new journey with God at the center of it all.

They are grateful that the Pope’s sold the business to them and the legacy of Cornerstone Christian Bookstore can live on instead of it becoming a restaurant or apartments which would fit in with the typical landscape of Boone.

Megan stated that, “this is the heart of Jesus, right here.” It is true, in the middle of Boone there is a constant standing reminder that our King is to come and His body is here.

“YOU GOTTA BELIEVE”

Owners George and Megan Shinn on the right, managers Joe and Tiffany Ingrham on the left.

George and Megan Shinn purusing Cornerstone Christian Bookstore.

Former owners, John and Pat Pope Book displays at Cornerstone Christian Bookstore.

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FOLLOWING JESUS FROM BOONE AND BACK AGAIN Written by Jeff Smith with Terry Henry, Caroline McCrorey and Ben Cox

My father and mother were young and living in My grandfather also took me to Wednesday night Lenoir, NC when I was born. My mother went into labor service, and that’s when I first heard the gospel presentwhile my father was driving her to the hospital. So, I had ed to me through the Royal Ambassador program. an unorthodox birth, because I was born in the backseat I didn’t know much about the Bible or God, but I of my grandmother’s car on the way to the hospital heard that Jesus loved me, that He died for my sins, and at a stoplight. I that if I asked him jokingly say that into my heart, he’d I have red hair come into my life. because the red So, I went home light beamed on one Wednesmy head when I day night and I was born. bowed down on My mom was my knees at my 17 years old when bedside. I asked she gave birth to Jesus to come into me, and my famy life – and I bether was just a few lieve He did – I years older than was excited about her at the time. it. When I shared They came from this with my parhomes that beents, they didn’t lieved in God, but really know how they were not in- “Glad to be back in my hometown shepherding people who have poured into me.” to deal with it. volved in church at My parents that time. I wasn’t raised in what one would tradition- were divorced at that time and I was living with my faally call a “Christian home,” not because they didn’t be- ther. Not long after this, he married a preacher’s daughlieve in God, but because neither were actively engaged ter and we moved to Blowing Rock. Her father, Rev. in their faith at that point in their life.

Carson Eggers, was the minister at Laurel Fork Baptist Around age 10, my grandfather began to take me Church and we went to church there. to Central Baptist Church in Lenoir, North Carolina.

While attending church there, I was baptized by I would go to the children’s Sunday school class while Carson at 12 years old. I rededicated my life to Jehe was in his Sunday school class. My Sunday school sus at Laurel Fort Baptist Church on February 26th. teacher gave out Juicy Fruit bubblegum if we were I don’t remember the year, but I remember the day good, paid attention, and listened. I would do what I and that the baptistry was very cold because the water needed to get my gum. heater was broken. When I went down into the water, My grandfather sang in the choir. So, when I would I came up so fast, that I slipped and went down in the get out of Sunday school, I would go to service and sit water a second time. I got baptized and re-baptized in the sanctuary by myself and wait for him to get done all at once. When people ask me if I remember my singing. After they did their anthem, he’d come down baptism, I say, “Absolutely, I remember it like it was and sit with me for the rest of the service. yesterday.” I will never forget it.

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My father and his second wife split up years later The Call to Pastor and my dad quit going to church. As a high school student, I got involved with First Baptist Church in BlowMy youth director had been affirming a call to mining Rock. One day, I received a phone call out of the istry in my life for awhile. But I kept pushing it away. blue from the new youth director there. She heard that When she would say, “I think you have gifts for ministry,” I played basketball and was friends with some of the I would reply, “Well, I appreciate that, but I don’t think guys on the church basketball team, so she invited me so.” I would laugh it off because I was not interested. to come be a part of it. Church basketball led me back While attending Montreat, I was required to go to church again, and through that, I became involved to chapel services and I was also taking some rewith the youth group. quired Bible classes.

Throughout high My professor began school, I was very into articulate the same volved in the church things my youth dion my own accord. rector was saying. He God used my youth diwould say things like, rector and my friends “I think God’s given to influence me and you gifts to be used God began to work on in the church.” So, me and through me.

I began to hear this Being able to drive call in multiple direcchanged things, I was tions, but I continued able to go to church to push it away unby myself even though til I came home on a my dad didn’t atChristmas break. tend. However, by the I worked at the time I graduated high Parkway Cafe at the school, my father beTanger Outlets in came very involved with Jeff graduating from Montreat College: an experience that ended up Blowing Rock as a waitbeing more than basketball. L to R: Charles Smith (Grandfather), the church. er on school breaks.

Jeff Smith, and Jeff B. Smith (Father).

I’d given my life to One night while I was God when I was younger, but I didn’t understand serving tables, there was a lady eating by herself at one what it meant at that time; I guess I probably thought of my tables. She was very nice and polite; we chatted a little bit. When I brought her the check she said “You’re at that young age, “Well, I get to go to heaven, which a Christian aren’t is great.” As I began to mature, I started “I discovered that I was there (Montreat College) for you?” I told her yes.

Then, she said, “Well, to understand the a greater purpose than just playing sports and began God wants me to tell importance of living you something. God to recognize God’s calling into ministry.” for God and being a wants you to know witness for Jesus. that He’s got great things in store for you if you will just I was very close with my youth director because she had had a similar upbringing. She went to a small Pres- listen. God is calling you into ministry and you need to byterian school called Montreat College. Through her listen to that.”

I had never met this woman in my entire life. To me, guidance and support, God led me to the same school, she was another tourist who’d come to enjoy a weekend more so because I wanted to play basketball than anything else. But once I got there, I discovered that God here. It was the most bizarre encounter I’ve ever had.

People I knew had encouraged this calling, but hearhad me there for a greater purpose than just playing sports and I began to recognize God’s call into ministry.

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“When I brought her the check she said “you’re a Christian aren’t you?” I told her yes. Then, she said, “Well, God’s got something for you… He wants me to tell you something. God wants you to know that He’s got great things in store for you if you will just listen. God is calling you into ministry and you need to listen to that.” ing this from a random stranger really caught my attention.

I thought, “How could this woman know that I am a Christian and that God is trying to call me into ministry?” I began to realize that God was really trying to get my attention. I had been stubborn, maybe it was time for me to start listening.

I wasn’t sure where to start, but I declared a major in Bible and Religion and began a youth ministry concentration. God continued to guide me along the way. I had to support myself through college, but God made a way for me to be there. I Jeff never thought his kids would be going to the same schools he did growing up. worked multiple jobs to pay my tuiL to R: Jeff Smith, Lawson, Angela, and Brennan. tion. Every semester God made possible what seemed so impossible to me. trance Process Station (MEPS) program in Charlotte, I’m a first-generation college graduate and that is securing my job. special to me, but it was God who made it possible and I was prepared to be an assistant chaplain in Hohelped me through; it was nothing I had done on my nolulu, Hawaii. I was going to suffer for the Lord! Evown. As I was preerything was set for paring to graduate “I began to realize that God was really trying to get me to go, but I had college, I was trying my attention. I had been stubborn, maybe it was time also put out feelers for to discern what I was positions serving as for me to start listening.” supposed to do in life. a youth minister in a I’ve got a Bible degree, what do I do with this thing? church. At that time in my life, I was free to go anyI wasn’t sure if I was supposed to serve in a church where God called. So, I began to apply to positions all or do something else. I had a professor who was in over the US. the army as a military chaplain. He was encouraging I prayed saying, “Lord, I’ll do whatever you want me in the direction of chaplaincy. So I went through me to do, but I need a sign from you.” I decided to apthe whole recruitment process and did the Military En- ply to 10 churches. I prayed, “If you prefer that I go 40

THE JOURNEY | Summer 2024

into the military and be a chaplain, then I would like to I began to realize that maybe I was really a Presbybe rejected by all 10 of these congregations; but, if you terian all this time and I just didn’t know it. God called don’t want me to serve in the military, let there be only me to be an evangelical Presbyterian. God used my one congregation that wants me so it is clear where you Baptist upbringing to enhance my Presbyterian theolowould have me be.” gy and love for evangelism.

God was faithful to my prayers. One by one, I started During my first year of service in Bennettsville, I getting rejection letters. I celebrated each one I received. married Angela, a close friend of mine from college.

My friends thought I was crazy, because who rejoices over We were both working and serving the Lord together being rejected for a job? in this small town. She Yet for me, it was one less taught at the local pridecision I had to make. vate school and directEventually, it came ed the choir at church, down to two congregawhile I coached the tions, of which both were junior varsity and varPresbyterian churches. sity girls and boys basI grew up in the Baptist ketball teams at her Church, but none of the school. It was great, Baptist churches would and we loved it. hire me because I had God blessed our gone to a Presbyterian ministry during our College – ironic, huh? time there, for when I First Presbyterian started at the church, Church, a small church they only had six stufrom a rural farm town dents in the youth Jeff Smith preaching at First Presbyterian Church Boone. in Bennettsville, South ministry, and four years Carolina reached out asking for an in-person inter- later we had 80 kids involved which was awesome. view. I went and interviewed with them. A few days These short four years were rich and very special to us. later, they called and said, “It’s unanimous. We feel this After Bennettsville, God called us to the First Presis where God’s calling you to be. We want you to serve byterian Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I went our children and youth as our Director of Christian Ed- from a 150-member congregation in a rural farm town ucation.” I told them I needed a couple of days to pray to a 3,000-member congregation in a suburban area. I about it, and God made it clear that this is where he was was hired as the Director of Youth Ministry there. calling me.

I knew my “I began to realize that maybe I was really a Presbyterian all this time and I attraction to the just didn’t know it. God called me to be an evangelical Presbyterian.” place had to be a call from God. As a young, 21-year-old, why would I want to go to God’s Provision for Seminary Bennettsville? There was nothing there for people my age. The biggest restaurant was Pizza Hut. There wasn’t After two years of serving that congregation, God a Walmart, or a movie theater, none of the stuff I was called me to seminary. I’ll never forget the interim used to in Boone. It was a small, quaint place to live. minister pulling me into his office and telling me it was So, I went and began working in the church and time for me to pursue seminary. He said that God was spent four years serving that congregation doing youth calling me, and I needed to listen to him. The church ministry. I had no idea what I was doing, but I had a great minister who came alongside and mentored me. supported my efforts towards education and provided all the funding necessary through a theological We prayed together, read Scripture together, and read endowment they had. and discussed theology books together. He helped me grow and mature in my faith.

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“I had been away from Boone for 20 years, but it still felt like home. I serve a congregation where the people who taught me in high school are now the ones I teach.”

So, I began a five-and-a-half-year, part-time seminary experience. When I had about a year and a half of seminary education left, God called me away from the church in Spartanburg to serve as an associate pastor at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. I wrapped up my seminary studies while there and was officially ordained and installed as associate pastor at that congregation, still working in youth ministry, but also doing evangelism ministry.

After four years of wonderful ministry at Eastminster, God surprised me with a call to First Presbyterian Church in Boone. A mutual friend reached out to me and tried to convince me to speak with them about the possibility of being head of staff. I initially pushed it away because I wasn’t looking for a position and was content with my current call.

Angela and I had purchased a house; we thought we were going to be there long-term. Angela was up for a very large promotion to be the CEO of the nonprofit ministry she was working with. But, throughout the interview process with First Presbyterian, it seemed clear that God was calling us to Boone. God has a sense of humor; calling me back home to serve a church I had not grown up in.

I Was a Boonerang Before it Was Cool!

I had been away from Boone for 20 years, but it still felt like home. I serve a congregation where the people who taught me in high school are now the ones I teach, a congregation where classmates that I went to school with or played little league ball with are now my

parishioners. I have baptized their children and even a classmate who made a profession of faith for the first time. It’s a special and unique situation that a lot of ministers can’t say that they’ve ever experienced.

I never thought I would be back here in my hometown sending my children to the same schools I attended. It’s been an interesting journey and a huge blessing, and God has been faithful every step of the way. God’s gracious hand has led me along the path ­– from high school to college, from college to serving congregations, from seminary and doctoral studies to help me grow in faith and as a pastor.

I’ve had the pleasure of serving with wonderful ministers, who’ve been very encouraging and very supportive. I’ve learned a lot from them and that has helped me grow my faith and prepare me for each step along the way. When I look back, I can see God’s hand over all of it.

I just recently finished up my doctoral work on evangelism. Presbyterians haven’t embraced that word very well. I think my upbringing played a strong role in my passion to share Christ and God is using that now as I share this fruit with other congregations in our denomination.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be doing this. It’s certainly not what I sought out, but what God pursued in me. It’s been a blessing to be back in my hometown. I often jokingly say that Jesus said that a prophet is not welcome in his hometown, but I say, “Thank God I’m a shepherd and not a prophet.”

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