North Carolina Church Receives Missional Award
Jul. 30, 2010
Tuckasegee Wesleyan Church in Jackson County North Carolina recently was honored as Missional Church of the Year by the South Carolina District of The Wesleyan Church. Located within the district’s boundaries, it is one of 59 churches. General Superintendent Dr. Jerry G. Pence, present for the district’s annual conference and the award ceremony, says their award is reflection of their missional commitment to help fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.
Tuckasegee Wesleyan is the home church of its senior pastor, Rev. Jeff Powell. Jeff and his wife, Jennifer, have served the church and its surrounding community for fifteen years. Under the pastor’s leadership, the church has become a stand-out in its creative community ministries. Pastor Powell is an example. In 1998 he became a volunteer chaplain for the sheriff’s department. His Facebook page called “Shield a Badge with Prayer” encourages other Christians to pray for public safety officers, and now has over 2,000 followers. Jeff does more “offsite” ministry than “Online,” however. His personal counseling with officers and their families help the men and women in law enforcement face the stress produced by their vocation.
As chaplain, Rev. Powell can also be seen standing alongside other families in the community as they face traumatic situations, such as drowning, homicide, or fatal accidents. He also ministers at the county jail, visiting inmates, distributing Bibles, and assisting with work release programs.
According to South Carolina District’s electronic newsletter, “District News and Notes,” the Tuckasegee congregation launched an effort to assist the community facing the economic downturn. Starting with a food pantry, the ministries of compassion have grown to where it now serves over seventy families and 140 individuals. Laypersons sacrificially do everything from picking up food items to assisting with paper work for grant monies.
South Carolina District Superintendent Rev. Buddy Rampey says, “This congregation stands on top of the hill as a beacon of hope and help to the people of the community and the county. As they have been blessed, they are blessings others.”
