Holston Conference recognizes Clergy, Laity and Youth with Denman Evangelism Award


07/17/09 01:00 Age: 21 hrs

Category: Features Stories


Laura Holderman with pastor Ronnie Collins

On June 16, four individuals were recognized for their efforts in helping people to experience the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ.

Rev. Brian Taylor is pastor of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in downtown Johnson City, TN. When Brian arrived at the church in 2003, he recognized that the church was not living up to its potential. Under his leadership, he has encouraged the church to be more active in personal relationship and evangelism as well as extending hospitality to those in their neighborhood. One way in which the congregation does that is through The Melting Pot, a ministry to those in the downtown area, which originally provided meals and assistance to those who needed it. The ministry has since grown to include a Wednesday program and Sunday worship. Through various “small” changes in ministry and mission, Brian helped the congregation begin to understand what it is to see everyone as a child of God.

“In every area of ministry Brian willingly shows creative leadership while maintaining spiritual integrity. He is not afraid to attempt new things, to revision or design existing ministries, or accept risks. In short, he is willing to do whatever needs to be done in order to reach more people with the Good News of Jesus Christ,” said Wm. Randall Frye, District Superintendent, Johnson City District.

Robert (Bobby) and Judy Cavanah

This husband and wife team have inspired many members of White Pine United Methodist Church in White Pine, Tennessee to become volunteers by the way they live out and are examples of the Great Commission. Bobby and Judy are “can-do” people who have helped start and personally support children’s ministries in their church. The children that they minister to are often from lower-income or struggling families where parents do not attend church. “Mr. Bobby,” as the children refer to him, drives the church bus around to the different neighborhoods and picks up and drops off the children who would otherwise not be able to participate in the ministries of the church. Judy started a tutoring program for first-graders, which provides both educational and spiritual guidance for the children that attend. She and her daughter-in-law also started a Mother’s Day Out program which has touched some of the parents of the children who attend. There is also a Wednesday night program that the couple helped to start and still leads.  They both are also involved in providing for the needs of those in their community, often providing fuel oil, heaters, blankets, clothing, and food. They have touched countless lives and made a huge difference in the lives of countless young people, giving them an opportunity to experience God’s transforming love.

Laura Holderfield, a member at First United MethodistChurch in Hillsville, Virginia, is described as a person who “loves to sing and dance and be a kid for God.” While she has accomplished a great deal in her young life, she is humble. A student at  Virginia Tech, Laura attended her first mission trip to Nicaragua this year. There she worked with orphans, and it is an experience she says “completely wrecked my life in the most amazing way possible.” She shared her testimony with those in her congregation and challenged them with the phrase “Compassion takes action and passion.” The seeds sown through this young woman’s testimony continue to sprout in the lives of those who heard it. The mother of a child who attended that service where Laura spoke shared that when she and her daughter arrived home that night, “she was very quiet, went to her room and got ready for bed. She came downstairs near tears and told me that she didn’t need her bed and that all she needed was food, a pillow and a roof over her head.” This young girl then told her mom that she had too much “stuff” and that she wanted to have a yard sale to make money to help poor people. Laura Holderfield, through her testimony and actions has touched the lives of not only those children she served in Nicaragua, but those she challenged when she arrived back home. She takes the Joy of Jesus to children through her song, faith and compassion.

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