Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church
Psalm 127:1
“Except the LORD build the house . . .”
“Ministry to the Last, Least, Lost and Lonely”
Landon and I shared at First Broad Street UM church this morning with Pairs & Spares SS class in the chapel. It was then I remembered that our first worship service for the new church start ( Shades of Grace ) was held on this date in 2014 at Mafair UM fellowship hall. We met at Mafair for about 10 weeks before our permanent move to Sullivan Street. ( photos @ Shades of Grace and First Broad St.) My appointment began on July 1, 2014 as a pastor to the streets of Kingsport, with no building or established congregation. It was totally a work by faith.
That first Sunday 8 years ago at Mafair saw 78 persons in attendance with an offering of $11,000.00. This offering and a grant from Holston Conference launched us into ministry. The total investment from Conference was $100.000 to be prorated down over 3 years. That total was designated exclusively toward my pastoral expenses required for an ordained elder in the denomination. ( salary, housing, pension etc).
Many changes have occurred in these past 8 years. We now worship on Saturdays rather than Sunday. We have baptized 96 persons upon profession of faith. Many funerals and memorial services have been conducted at this simple storefront house of worship. Only eternity will reveal how manny bodies, souls and spirits have sought refuge and assistance at our doors.
There’s no need to remind anyone that Shades of Grace is ordained by God. The vision of God’s Living Room was given by the Holy Spirit, even to the name Shades of Grace. The ministry was founded on a clear call to be an inclusive congregation that affirms the value of every human being. No one shall be denied participation regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or life’s orientation, or any other status.
We are resolved to never have yard sales or solicit funding at all. We believe where God guides, God provides. We currently have an international presence in Nigeria. We sponsor an elementary school with 180 students and 8 teachers. We have sponsored numerous wells to be dug for fresh drinking water in Africa.
During Saturday morning worship this week, we received an offering for Kentucky flood victims and the offering totals over $4,000.00. “Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” Psalm 127:1
Link to Youtube – Take It To Jesus
