Lake Junaluska 2007 Photos
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SEJ UMM Quadrennial Gathering
Lake Junaluska, NC - August 10-12, 2007

by H. William Green

The UMMen of the SEJ are alive and well. They gathered this past August 10-12 at Lake Junaluska for spiritual renewal and training at the SEJ UMMen Quadrennial Spiritual Gathering and Training Event. The theme was: "Into the Word, Into the World." And that's exactly what the UMMen of the SEJ are doing!

The weekend opened with a challenge from Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey to"get into the Word." All significant spiritual transformation is a result of encountering God through his Word. Bishop McCleskey expounded upon a statement in the Book of Discipline:"As we open our hearts and minds to the Word of God through the words of human beings inspired by the Holy Spirit,
faith is born and nourished, our understanding is deepened, and the possibilities of transforming the world become apparent to us."

Reverend David Adams, newly elected General Secretary of GCUMMen (General Commission on United Methodist Men), continued the challenge with his address: "Action Begins with You."

The Reverend Dr. Richard Winn brought the house down with his inspiring sermon: "One Truth, Many Voices." We heard the challenge from John the Baptist to repent and to live a life of radical sharing with others.

Bishop Marion Edwards sent everyone home with an urgent and convicting message: "Going into the World." There is work and ministry to be done. We have to go forth and do it. Don't become a part of the "back to Egypt crowd." Journey forth as risk takers for the sake of the gospel of Christ! When the Devil asked his minions for advice on how to defeat the church, one little devil said to just tell the church, "What's your hurry?"

With that powerful climax to Bishop Edwards' sermon, the men of the SEJ could be retrained no longer. With a renewed sense of urgency, everyone left the mountain top to take up their work and ministry in world.

What will the men remember from this experience? They will remember the dynamic worship services, the inspiring music of Paul Saik who served as the worship leader, the many different workshops that offered practical guidance for growing a vital and sustainable men's ministry in the local church, the great meals and fellowship, the beauty of creation, the joy of serving through the mobile Upper Room Prayer Satellite ministry, walks around the
lake, and the smiles of men across fourteen Annual Conferences and nine southeastern states who know the joy of being a United Methodist man in our world today!

In the words of one of the participants, "I have never been more inspired to serve my Lord as a United Methodist man; from now on, it will always be"into the word and into the world!"