A Ministry of the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church
Welcome to the website for the unique ministry of the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Join us on a trek across approximately 2,200 miles as the Appalachian Trail Chaplain seeks to make new friends, help those met along the way and show the love of God to all encountered.
The 2019 AT Chaplain, Jack “Chappy Jack” Layfield, is currently on his NOBO thru-hike. You can follow his journey here.
March 26, 2018 – The Call
Appalachian Trail ministry expands with first ‘circuit hiker’
http://holston.org/about/communications/the-call/volE18/num7/at-circuit-hiker/
March 31, 2017 – The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee)
Why a Methodist chaplain is hiking the Appalachian Trail
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2017/03/31/why-methodist-chaplain-hiking-appalachian-trail/99714742/
March 28, 2017 – WDBJ Channel 7 (Hillsville, Virginia)
New Appalachian Trail chaplain prepares for long journey
http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/New-Appalachian-Trail-Chaplain-prepares-for-long-journey-417385433.html
May 2016 – Interpreter Magazine
Appalachian Trail chaplain engaged in ups and downs of journey
http://www.interpretermagazine.org/topics/appalachian-trail-chaplain-engaged-in-ups-and-downs-of-journeys
January 4, 2013 – The Call
United Methodists send first chaplain to hike 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail
http://holston.org/about/communications/the-call/volE13/num1/appalachian-trail-chaplain/
The Appalachian Trail Chaplaincy is a unique ministry of the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church. Each year, the Appalachian Trail Chaplain embarks on a thru-hike of the 2,190-mile footpath that winds its way from Georgia to Maine with the sole purpose of listening, helping and showing God’s love to those he or she meet along the way.
March 20, 2019 Location: Franklin, Ga. Mile: 109.4 Please Read: I Thessalonians 5: 11-18 Verse 11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just in fact you are doing”. In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he encourages the Thessalonians to encourage and build each other up. In fact, Paul acknowledges …
March 14, 2019 Mile: 69.2 Location; Hiawasee, GA. Read: Colossians 1: 16-17 In my prayer time I frequently reflect on how awesome our Creator is! He created the tiniest of things that can not be seen. He created the “glue” that holds everything together, and he created the vast universe that knows no end. I …
Mile:32.1 Location: Neel’s Gap Please read: Luke 14: 25-34 In verse 28, while speaking to a large crowd on how to follow Him, Jesus says, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he first not sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” The …
You may contact the Appalachian Trail Chaplain ministry at:
P.O. Box 343
Walland, Tennessee 37886
or on Facebook