Mountain T.O.P. Mission – Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee
(A.I.M.= Adults In Ministry)
The theme for our mission team was Livin' Hope--1 Peter 1:3
"In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living Hope through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Mountain T.O.P. strives to meet the Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, and Social needs of the
community. It was extremely important during our time on the mountain to get to know the people.
As each one of us worked on our project during the week we attempted to identify these elements
in the lives of those we were striving to serve. As is often the case, we felt like we were being
blessed more than we were able to bless the ones we came to help.
In addition to serving the mountain community, an important aspect of the week was a time of
spiritual renewal within each of us. The overlook is a magnificent creation of God that we visited
each morning for a devotion given by a member of our camp community. Each evening we came
together to share the HOPE we had experienced or seen on that day. Following sharing, the
wonderful staff facilitated meaningful and uplifting worships. Our night activities also included a
fun cookout with music by Big Don, and opportunities to tie dye, learn how to make paper, and try
our skill at juggling.
Each day we went to our project representing Heritage U.M.C., Mountain T.O.P. Ministries, and
most of all we were representing our Lord. Our emphasis was varied. We were split
into teams of people from Michigan, Illinois, Carolinas, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida.
Some of our group worked with teens in the Summer Plus program at Cumberland Pines. There
were many teaching opportunities as we shared practical, usable, crafts and talents. We were
leaders in workshops that included photography, papermaking and design, juggling, crocheting,
music, and jewelry making. We also had an opportunity to talk and discuss many subjects during
this time. The young people were very enthusiastic and shared with us regarding their homes,
families, schools and their social lives. They were curious about our lives and our families and
why we came to Mountain Top. This gave us a great opportunity to share our love for the Lord.
We had worship after lunch with the small groups where we encouraged each person to share
their feelings on the worship topic of the day. And share they did!! We were so glad that God
gave us the right words of response to the sharing of their hearts.
Others of our group participated in Major Home Repair (MHR). We were split into 3 teams
working on 3 different projects. The projects were humbling on many different levels including
shock, frustration, happiness, sadness, and most of all love for each other. As we got to know
the families, the relationships with them grew to astonishing levels. You could see the excitement
grow as the improvements began to take shape. It is not often that you will get to see a project
completed. There was a mission group there before us and there will be a group to follow us.
The projects consisted of a room addition and two major home rehabs.
We were humbled by God’s control of our projects and the impact on everyone. The days flew
by and we saw our relationships blossom within our groups but more importantly with those we
came to serve. We were happy, we were sad, we laughed and we cried. We were helping to
build God’s Community of believers.
Part of the Mountain T.O.P. song says, “But I must come down from the mountain top to the
people in the valley below, or they’ll never know that they can go to the mountain of the Lord.”
We are called to serve the people of the mountain but also learn from that calling, that there is
work in the “valley” as well. We all have individual experiences and “God moments” to share with
you because we cannot keep it to ourselves!!!!!
Thank you for all the prayers and support you have given to this ministry. Our HOPE is that you
will answer God’s call and join us next summer when we once again go to the Mountain.
Mountain T.O.P. missionaries: Thelma and Fisher Thomas, Nancy Woods, Triva
Canfield, Barbara Newman, Gwynda Patterson, Carolyn and Russ Nail, Pat and J.R. Richardson