Rev. Patrick Jones nominated Ebenezer UMC (Apex) for the 2021 Key Taylor Award with these words, “This small rural church on Jordan Lake in Chatham County with a membership of 97 has been deeply committed to feeding local families. About twelve years ago, when this church thought it was near closing, it chose to tithe ten percent of its budget to missions and outreach and has since seen the church grow. Ebenezer continues to pay 100% of apportionments and supports many of the Advance Specials being sure to give in all the lanes and maintaining its status as a Rainbow Covenant Church. This giving over the past year grew from simply financial to include relationship building and feeding ministry.”
The congregation has also served and built relationships with the children and families at the Moncure School, as well as their neighbors in a nearby mobile home park. They are continuing to grow their capacity to serve by asking people what they perceive their needs to be.
Rev. Dena White, District Superintendent of the Fairway District and Rev. Jaye White, Director of Outreach Ministry, celebrated the congregational witness along with Rev. Patrick Jones, in the beautiful outdoor worship space at Ebenezer UMC. The executive committee of the NCCUMC Mission Team is pleased to share the selection of Ebenezer for this award, which was created to recognize the efforts of rural churches who serve their communities in the name of Jesus.