Dr. Mark Hicks has three jobs. Half of his time is dedicated to Cross and Key Prison Ministries, where he has worked in different iterations for 24 years. The ministry’s mission is to use a comprehensive approach to guide congregations in prison outreach, while educating them on criminal justice issues and advocating for reform.

His other jobs are pastoring two congregations in Columbus County. Hallsboro UMC, founded in 1910, and Chadbourn UMC, founded in 1897, are a 15-minute drive apart, and Hicks serves them and their communities equally.

Hicks learned about the NC Rural Center’s Connect Church program and believed it would be perfect way to center congregational efforts on missions. This year-long experience selects churches who are willing to meet monthly and without an initial agenda — asking questions on how they might best serve their community using assets within the church.

Hallsboro UMC applied for the program and was accepted in the 2024 cohort, and since Hicks works with Chadborun UMC as well, the NC Rural Center said to bring in members of that congregation. Collaboration with community is part of the program, so adding in another church could potentially grow impact.

“What better way to get these churches energized, get them motivated for ministry, than to see what we might be able to do in the community?” Hicks thought.

Through the program’s coaching, the church is asked to identify resources, think about opportunities in the larger community, and then subsequently develop a plan to maximize impact outside the sanctuary walls.

Both congregations have retired educators. Liz White of Chadbourn UMC — one of those educators — told a story about a student who came to school two days in a row wearing the same clothes, but on the second day they were turned inside out. That sparked an idea that led to the church meeting with local elementary school principals.

The congregational asset in this experience was retired educators, and when looking to their community, they started with schools.

The principals at both Chadbourn Elementary School and Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary School said having a dedicated space for laundry and volunteers to man the machines would be helpful. The earliest learners are prone to accidents, so they want a way to clean clothes and a closet with extra garments.

Hick’s Connect Church applied for and received a $10,000 grant from The Duke Endowment for this idea. The laundry units have been purchased and are being installed this spring in both schools. While members of the congregation will help launder and organize the new clothing closets, teachers, school nurses, and guidance counselors will also be working in collaboration.

And more partnerships seem to be on the horizon. Hicks received a called recently from the AME Zion Church in Hallsboro to explore mission work together. Chadbourn UMC annually participates in Lenten and Christmas services with local Presbyterian and Baptists churches, and Hicks will be reaching out to see if they want to join in the laundry mission.

Hicks said there are three things he wants people to know about his congregation and the Connect Church program — all of which centered around gratitude and Wesleyan principles.

“The first thing I would want people to know is that we are very appreciative to the Rural Center and the Church Connect program for giving us this opportunity to engage our community,” he said.

He added that he appreciated the year-long process of discernment with their coach, who helped them discover how much they could impact their community.

The last piece is one that is echoes in so many of our state’s rural places.

“There’s still a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the small church — the rural church. Just because the church is small, because it’s a rural church, does not mean there isn’t a passion and a desire for ministry.”

Dr. Mark Hicks, pastor at Hallsboro UMC and Chadbourn UMC

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Editor’s note: The Duke Endowment supports the work of EducationNC.