Leader traces God's help in his life
|
President's project "Family" (Fast a Meal in 1 Year)Find information online about this joint fund-raising effort to combat hunger in America. National UMM President Glenn Wintemberg helped develop it. Web sites are www.nacpumm.org and www.endhunger.org. |
George Cockrum of Midwest City, left, and UMM National President Glenn R. Wintemberg display an original copy of "Strength for Service." The pocket-sized inspirational book was first used by U.S. military troops during World War II. A Boy Scout’s effort to distribute the reissued book to today’s service men and women is succeeding with the help of United Methodist Men. The Cockrum family hosted Wintemberg at a meal during the president’s recent visit to Oklahoma. Cockrum is the UMM hunger relief advocate for Oklahoma Conference.
By Holly McCray
"I thought if I got more religious I would have less fun."
Such a fear is one barrier to church growth, said the national president of United Methodist Men. He was in Oklahoma for a Conference UMM retreat in August.Glenn R. Wintemberg made the statement about himself, but he believes it represents how many men think. His personal journey has caused him to change his opinion and seek to encourage other men in their faith, too.
One illustration: God saved his marriage.
Wintemberg and his wife were nearing a marital split, he said. A pivotal conversation between them occurred as they talked in a church sanctuary. The date was 39 days before his wife’s 39th birthday.
This year, the couple celebrated 30 years of marriage. "Without God’s help, it would have never happened," Wintemberg said.
He talked of God’s handiwork throughout his life. He survived major medical problems at birth. He recalled his dramatic rescue from drowning.
"Do you believe in miracles? I’m a miracle," Wintemberg said.
A father, he worried when his son moved away to start college. Then he learned the University of Missouri student and band member was attending a Bible study.
The son asked his father, "Dad, why were you worried? You brought me up right."
Wintemberg maintains the air and plumbing systems for Parkway School District and lives in Saint Charles, Mo. He joined UMM in the late 1980s. He has served as a district president. His national term concludes in 2008.
He urged UMM chapters to celebrate in some way each month.
The UM Book of Discipline mandates a UMM chapter in every church. Although that is not yet reality, Wintemberg strives to encourage more groups to organize. Research shows "if the man is the first to go to church, the family follows more than 90 percent of the time," he said.
He said most men volunteer at their churches. However, men’s ministries can take many forms.
"United Methodist Men are always changing. We must ask who we are and what is our image. How are we going to make ourselves relevant today?" Wintemberg asked. "We know the most important guy is the guy in the pew."
