The Tenth National Gathering of United Methodist Men--
An Amazing, Extraordinary Adventure!
By Ernest R. McClure

Gathering for an impromptu photo between sessions are some of the men from the SWTX Conference.
Top row left to right - Paul Diehl, Ken Moyer, and Jack Moncure from the Austin District.
Middle row left to right - Tommy Amerson from the San Antonio District, Ralph Eckwall and Bob Reinhart from the Austin District.
Bottom row left to right - Johnnie Thompson and Ernie McClure from the San Antonio District, Jim McComb from the Austin District.

FOR THE PAST THIRTY SIX-YEARS, United Methodist men from across the United States and other countries have met to share a common spiritual bond. This year more than 1,270 men and young boys came together for a weekend of spiritual renewal. Among this number were 17 from the Southwest Texas Conference. Pictured in the photo above are men from some of the districts in the Southwest Texas Conference gathered between sessions. Others not shown in the photo are Billy Knowlton and Janice Diehl from the Austin District; Thomas Clark from the Corpus Christi District; Sam Campbell, Tom Graves, and Carlos Johnson from the Kerrville District; Reginald Walker, Michael Walker from the Victoria District. Larry Shanklin was also in attendance. (District not known)

The theme was "Focus on the Cross" . All the music and the messages related to: Man to God; Man to Man; Man to Boy. The theme was emphasized throughout the weekend by a slate of outstanding speakers. In addition to the outstanding and stimulating speeches and the heart rending music there were three workshops, twenty-five seminars and three outreach experiences. For those so inclined there were outdoor activities such as basketball, rock climbing, walking and jogging. The exhibits at “The Ministry Fair” had something for young and old alike. Those who attended the gathering this year have bragging rights for being at the first gathering ever held in Nashville, Tennessee.

• The men left the weekend inspired and committed to:
• call and equip other men to grow spiritually
• encourage our local church groups to support the pastor through prayer and service
• build a more biblically accountable men's unit
• focus on keeping young men in the church and leading them into Christian adulthood

A special thanks go to all those who supported the men through financial means for this event. Also the men of the San Antonio District of the Southwest Texas Conference and the St. Paul United Methodist Church men's unit want to express their gratitude for their gracious financial support. It is our desire that more of our men from the conference and from our churches will attend the next gathering in 2013. We encourage our youth and our young men to become a vital part of this great movement.

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Be sure to bookmark this site! This is where you can come to get the latest information about what's happening in the Southwest Texas Conference for United Methodist Men. UMM fellowships may send submissions to Jack Moncure jmoncure@austin.rr.com at least 30 days in advance of an event whenever possible.

7-6-09

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