Northside UMC sponsors an evening of entertainment to raise funds for a preschool.

Tennessee Church wins top honors

NASHVILLE, Tenn.––Northside UMC in Jackson, Tenn., was named the 2017 top UM unit in the United States.

Judges of the third annual national competition selected the church for a myriad of ministries to the Jackson community.

The contest is sponsored by the National Association of Conference Presidents of UM Men and the General Commission on UM Men.

The winner was announced March 3 by Bishop James Swanson, president of the commission, and Dan Ramsey, chairman of the Judges Panel.

In presenting the award, Bishop Swanson noted the church’s ministry to homeless men in the Jackson area, fundraisers for a nonprofit preschool for at-risk children and the Faith Health Center.

Northside men also restored a bathroom for a care center for women and children, built handicap ramps for cabins, renovated the sanctuary and painted the People of Hope Church, and helped widows and elderly when they needed something moved, trimmed or fixed.

The outreach ministries are supported by engagement in “The Walk to Emmaus,” small accountability groups, Disciple Bible study groups, Stephen Ministries, and conference-wide UMM gatherings.

Other winners

Second place: Millbrook UMC, Raleigh, N.C.

Third place: St. Andrew's UMC, Baton Rouge, La.

Fourth place: First UMC, Colleyville, Texas

Fifth place: Queen's Chapel, Beltsville, Md.