“ . . . we completed our first five
years and today,
we set sail into the second five years . . .”
In his remarks to the Board of Trustees at the February board meeting, Dr. Chandler said, “Last November we completed our first five years and today, we set sail into the second five years. Though sometimes discouraged that we have not made more impact on an epidemic problem, when I consider what has been accomplished in these five years, I am amazed. Much of the credit goes to those who have served as trustees during these early years of development. You have helped shape a vision and many of you have given untold hours in helping translate that vision into reality. Thank you for your commitment, your expertise and your faith.”
Remember Our Past but Sail On, Sail On, Sail On
Our humble beginning was in mid-1994, when Dr. Chandler received
encouragement to pursue his idea of doing something to help pastors who had been force
terminated by their churches. To borrow from an old Quaker saying, “They lighted a
fire and went out and left it burning.” That early MTM group started a fire, tended
it and today it burns brightly. Here are some of the “logs” in our fire:
• MTM has received requests to provide services in 39 states, Washington, D. C., and
four foreign countries.
• We have assisted 236 persons who have attended one of our 23 Healthy Transitions
Wellness Retreats for Ministers and Spouses. Six retreats in 1999 were attended by 51
participants from 10 states. Five retreats are confirmed for 2000, a sixth is being
negotiated and two other possibilities are being pursued. Campbellsville University, a
Baptist-affiliated school in Campbellsville, KY, wants to co-sponsor a retreat in the
Spring of 2001!
• More than 1,000 ministers and spouses have been touched by some phase of the MTM
ministry.
• Cash budget receipts for 1999 increased 42.5 percent over 1998.
• The number of contributors in 1999 increased 62 percent over 1998.
• In 1999, the mailing list for “The Servant” increased by 544 names to a
total of 1,434 for the January 2000 issue — a 66 percent increase. Also, “The
Servant” is on a regular “quarterly” publishing schedule — January,
April, July and October.
• Four Celebration Banquets were held in 1999— Richmond, VA; Birmingham, AL;
Louisville, KY, and Northern Virginia — with a total attendance of 260 folks. The
first banquet of the new century was in Newport News, VA in January. The attendance was
102 guests. Our goal is to have a minimum of 12 banquets in 2000. Two are already
scheduled in Tennessee at Knoxville and Chattanooga. These banquets have a double purpose
— to build our advocate base and to raise funds.
• We entered an Exhibit Booth in three conventions last year. The response was very
affirmative and we’ll continue the booth exposure.