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, successfully completed his NOBO thru-hike. Read about 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.
These last few months have changed so many of our worlds so quickly. When I left the call that said our hikes would be canceled, my heart broke. I wanted to crumble, I wanted to fall apart. So much of what I have lived for, so much of what I felt was right, what I …
Continue reading “Steadiness – A blog from Rachel “Dragonfly” Ahrens”
By Chappy Jack October 9, 2019 Psalm 136: 1-3 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of Lord’s. His love endures forever.” I have been safely home for about two weeks now. I’ve …
By Chappy Jack Miles completed: 2,192 Miles to go: 0 Location: Headed for home (Opelika, Alabama) After finally completing this incredible journey I have been pondering whether the cost of the journey was worth the result. The cost includes the financial cost, which I was very fortunate to have the Holston Conference of the United …
You may contact the Appalachian Trail Chaplain ministry at:
P.O. Box 343
Walland, Tennessee 37886
or on Facebook