MP3 Stories: Vaiden UMC

The first weekend that I arrived at Vaiden in July, 2007; I felt that the Lord was calling me to personally visit all of the people in the community. I put shorts, sports-shirt, and tennis shoes on, and walked door-to-door, block by block, all over the town of Vaiden. The townspeople had never had a pastor come see them at their home. They loved it. I listened to their personal stories, told them mine, and then invited them to church. They began coming the first weekend and have continued coming since. I continue to visit both member homes and unchurched homes each weekend. Our membership and friends attending, has tripled: from 25 to 75. The members volunteered to visit each person that I went to see and take them cookies, cakes, or pies. The people really appreciated the desire of our members to be welcoming of people in the community. On " High Attendance Sunday", we had 95 people in attendance in October, 2007; only 90 days after our efforts began. We don't take any credit for what God has done for this community and this congregation. We were simply willing participants in his plan of salvation and fellowship for all of these members of our community.

Shortly after I arrived in Vaiden, I was informed that the other two (2) churches on the Vaiden charge would change status. One had already planned on closing because of illness; and the other planned to leave the conference and become independent. The church council was so pleased with what they had seen the Lord doing through them in the community; that they decided to step out in faith and assume responsibility for paying the pastor's salary for the other two (2) churches. This meant that they would be doubling their salary support. This was September, 2007. Since then, we have all experienced the fullness of God's provision at Vaiden United Methodist and have set faith budgets for the church: budgets based upon what we expect to provide and what we expect God to provide. Our yearly church budget has doubled in 2 years, and we have never been short on our budget support. We are also a 100% conference support church.

Mark Blaylock, our layleader, felt the Lord calling him to visit multiple families down the road from him, who were living in deplorable conditions. He visited them, shared Christ with them, and prayed for them. They began attending church, about 12 people altogether, from time to time; half which were children. We discovered that they were using a garden hose to run water from one mobile home to another mobile home, for bathroom and kitchen use. Our men volunteered to install pipe in the ground and run plumbing to the houses. These families really appreciated our help on this project, and we have continued to support them, both financially and spiritually.

We are a very welcoming and supportive church. Everyone who has visited us, has stayed with us. We make everyone feel at home, regardless of their work, family, personal or financial background.

We have organized a " Benevolence Committee" that is in charge of financial gifts from the church for people experiencing emergencies. We have donated thousands of dollars to families during the last year. We have organized a " Home Repair Committee" that repairs homes in the community for free, to those in need.

Our church approved the addition of a new fellowship hall to the existing church facility, which will add about 30% of floor space to our church. If this building was contracted out, it would cost over $ 150,000.00. We decided that the Lord had given us the talents and gifts to build it ourselves, and save over one-half of that amount. We began construction of the building June1st, time of fellowship on Saturday mornings, while we worked on the building. 2008, and will have it completed by June 1st, 2009. We have had a great. The women of the church have prepared Saturday lunches for the men working on the church, to support their efforts. We also installed a power-point projection system in the sanctuary for use in worship services, and the congregation has loved it.

Using the " Experiencing God" bible study as a foundation, the entire congregation has been taught about living the " Spirit-led" life, and watching with spiritual senses, for where the Lord is at work and joining Him in his mission.

Calvin Cosnahan
Vaiden UMC