Evangelism award to Currin
The award is given to individuals “who exhibit unusual and outstanding efforts for work in Christian evangelism by faithfully carrying out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ,” information from CUMC stated.
Currin received the award “for evangelism for decades of connecting people to Jesus and Jesus’ mission for their lives,” said the Rev. Wil Cantrell, senior pastor at CUMC, who wrote a letter of endorsement for Currin’s nomination.
“This is the highest award given by the annual conference,” he added.
In his letter, Cantrell detailed Currin’s extensive service to the church and community through “innovative evangelism, loving kindness and sharing faith and transforming lives by meeting spiritual and physical needs.
“She has spent more than three decades serving CUMC, previously as youth director before moving into the missions director role,” he stated, adding, “Jane has a gift for forming close relationships with newcomers and finding a place for everyone to serve.
“Jane’s approach to evangelism can be described as, “Get them a job. Get them a friend. Get them Jesus.’ Once they begin to serve, Jane guides them to understand their service as being done unto the Lord. This understanding often leads to deeper conversations about Christ’s work in their life, which have helped hundreds of people to give their lives to Christ, become baptized and live a life of faith and service.
“In her years in youth ministry, she focused on connecting youth and parents to one another and to service. Today, she leads all generations to connect to each other and to God through serving our neighbors.”
Cantrell also made note of Currin being instrumental in starting The Thrift Store in the Cedar Bluff community as a further outreach and ministry of the church.
“The Thrift Store provides necessities for families who couldn’t otherwise afford them while also providing community for a growing number of volunteers and regular shoppers who love coming to a place where they can talk about faith while thrifting,” he stated.
“Whether it is building stoves for hard working families in Guatemala, speaking about the difference Jesus has made in her life or greeting visitors at church on Sunday morning, Jane is constantly working to help others discover ‘why Jesus’ gave them spiritual gifts to be used to bless others through service and ‘why Jesus’ is the only one capable of guiding them into the life that really is life,” Cantrell added.
“I was humbled, honored and totally surprised when I received the Denman Evangelist Award,” Currin stated. “May God’s glory continue to be lifted up in the relationships, outreach and missions projects as we seek to love our neighbors here, near and far away.”
Named for the late Dr. Harry Denman, distinguished lay evangelist whom Dr. Billy Graham called “my mentor in evangelism,” the award is made possible by The Foundation for Evangelism, founded in 1949 by Denman, who ‘felt it was the business of every Christian to be an evangelist.’”
