The Rev. Stephen Handy speaks at the opening session of the National Association of Conference Presidents and Prayer Advocates in Nashville.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– The pastor of McKendree UMC in Nashville, invited presidents of Conference units of UM Men and conference prayer advocates to give away some marbles.

The Rev. Stephen Handy told men attending a March meeting of the Nashville Association of Conference Presidents how members of his congregation share the love and grace of Jesus Christ by giving away marbles.

Handy says, the marbles remind him to share the Good News of Jesus Christ even when he is not in the mood.

“I wasn’t in the mood for talking following a visit in a hospital, but a young lady walked onto the elevator from the Intensive Care Unit,” said Handy. “I told Jesus I wasn’t in the mood, but he said ‘Give her a marble.’”

Handy, says he told the woman about the practice at McKendree and gave her a marble. “She really appreciated hearing about the love and grace of Jesus Christ––even in my early defiance of sharing, God revealed hope,” said Handy.

“Every movement starts with an invitation from God,” said Handy. “The invitation is for us to recognize God's love and because of God's love we invite others into relationship with him.”

"After the invitation comes the investment of our time with the invitee. No longer is the invitation enough, UM Men must invest their time through mentoring, going to read in elementary schools and listening to the stories of others."

Handy gave away 25 marbles to the presidents and prayer advocates.