wfn.org | Mississippi pastor builds ministry to casino workers

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Oct. 10, 2001  News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{461}

By Laura Cartwright*

ROBINSONVILLE, Miss. (UMNS) -- Huey Wood smiles when he remembers his first
Sunday as pastor of Robinsonville United Methodist Church.

Wood and his wife, Ruth, had already retired after 40 years as United
Methodist clergy when they agreed to serve at the church.

"I kept seeing all these cars going toward the church - passing me as I was
heading that way - and I thought, 'I really am going to have a big crowd at
church," he said. "Just one church and all the cars heading that
direction.'" 

Reality, however, was quite different. It turned out most of the cars were
headed for casinos along the nearby Mississippi River. Gambling is booming
in Tunica County and Robinsonville. Robinsonville Church had about 50
members at that first service.

While Robinsonville is a small town, the 10 casinos along the river employ
14,000 people. Many work for the hotels connected to the casinos, and Sunday
morning is one of the busiest of the week. That means many people aren't
able to attend church services.

Wood found a solution to the problem.

He started a service at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, giving casino employees an
opportunity to worship. "I believe Jesus went where the people were, and I
know John Wesley did," said Wood, referring to the founder of Methodism.

Wood has knocked on doors in subdivisions and sent out cards by the
hundreds. He picks up the phone and calls people to let them know the church
is there for them, and that he is as close as his telephone if they need
help at any time.

About 25 people showed up for the first Tuesday service. Growth has
continued, although it tends to be in spurts. Wood said he realizes that he
has to be where the people are and work with them where they need help. He
wants to be a good example.

The Rev. John Moore, superintendent of the Senatobia District, said Wood
serves as an example to his parishioners and other pastors.

"Huey Wood is truly a mentor to whomever will learn. His spirit of
excitement about serving Christ is contagious," Moore said. "I don't think
he ever dreamed that what's transpired would be as broad as it is. He put
himself in a position to be used by God."

Wood said he believes what he is doing is a wonderful way to end his career.
He said he believes he is doing God's calling, going where the people are
and letting them know he is there for them.

The Tuesday worship service isn't the only way Wood is ministering to casino
workers. He also writes for a gaming publication.

He first tried to buy ad space to let people know about the Sunday and
Tuesday services at the church. His advertisements were short, funny stories
that he turned into sermonettes with an invitation to his church at the
bottom of each.

Wood went to see David Garrison, editor and publisher of The Mid-South
Gaming Guide, a newspaper made available to casino employees and patrons.
Garrison liked the columns Wood had written and started running them weekly.

"Huey Wood is just a real fine fella," Garrison said. "I think there is a
definite need in the gaming community for a person of Huey's temperament and
feeling. I believe he has a mission and a vision for Robinsonville, and we
need him and his mission."

Ministering to a new community is not Wood's only project. He's also writing
a book of stories tied to thought-provoking devotions. The working title is
Don't Lose Your Watermelon.

During 40 years of ministry, Wood has collected 300 to 400 stories. The book
is expected to contain about 100. Published by Providence House Publishers
in Franklin, Tenn., the book should be available by the end of the year.

# # #

*Cartwright is a free-lance writer and United Methodist who resides in
Booneville, Miss. This story originally appeared in The Advocate, the
newspaper of the United Methodist Church's Mississippi Annual Conference.

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United Methodist News Service
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