Pastor

Mississippi Pastor Builds Ministry to Casino Workers

By Laura Cartwright

Huey Wood smiles when he remembers his first Sunday as pastor of Robinsonville United Methodist Church.

Wood and his wife, Ruth, had already retired after 40 years as United Methodist clergy when they agreed to serve at the church.

"I kept seeing all these cars going toward the church — passing me as I was heading that way – and I thought, 'I really am going to have a big crowd at church," he said. "Just one church and all the cars heading that direction.'"

Reality, however, was quite different. It turned out most of the cars were headed for casinos along the nearby Mississippi River. Gambling is booming in Tunica County and Robinsonville. Robinsonville Church had about 50 members at that first service.

While Robinsonville is a small town, the 10 casinos along the river employ 14,000 people. Many work for the hotels connected to the casinos, and Sunday morning is one of the busiest of the week. That means many people aren't able to attend church services.

Wood found a solution to the problem.

He started a service at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, giving casino employees an opportunity to worship. "I believe Jesus went where the people were, and I know John Wesley did," said Wood, referring to the founder of Methodism.

Wood has knocked on doors in subdivisions and sent out cards by the hundreds. He picks up the phone and calls people to let them know the church is there for them, and that he is as close as his telephone if they need help at any time.

About 25 people showed up for the first Tuesday service. Growth has continued, although it tends to be in spurts. Wood said he realizes that he has to be where the people are and work with them where they need help. He wants to be a good example.

The Rev. John Moore, superintendent of the Senatobia District, said Wood serves as an example to his parishioners and other pastors.

"Huey Wood is truly a mentor to whomever will learn. His spirit of excitement about serving Christ is contagious," Moore said. "I don't think he ever dreamed that what's transpired would be as broad as it is. He put himself in a position to be used by God."

Wood said he believes what he is doing is a wonderful way to end his career. He said he believes he is doing God's calling, going where the people are and letting them know he is there for them.

The Tuesday worship service isn't the only way Wood is ministering to casino workers. He also writes for a gaming publication.

He first tried to buy ad space to let people know about the Sunday and Tuesday services at the church. His advertisements were short, funny stories that he turned into sermonettes with an invitation to his church at the bottom of each.

Wood went to see David Garrison, editor and publisher of The Mid-South Gaming Guide, a newspaper made available to casino employees and patrons. Garrison liked the columns Wood had written and started running them weekly.

"Huey Wood is just a real fine fella," Garrison said. "I think there is a definite need in the gaming community for a person of Huey's temperament and feeling. I believe he has a mission and a vision for Robinsonville, and we need him and his mission."

Ministering to a new community is not Wood's only project. He's also writing a book of stories tied to thought-provoking devotions. The working title is Don't Lose Your Watermelon.

During 40 years of ministry, Wood has collected 300 to 400 stories. The book is expected to contain about 100. Published by Providence House Publishers in Franklin, Tenn., the book should be available by the end of the year.

Cartwright is a free-lance writer and United Methodist who resides in Booneville, Miss. This story originally appeared in The Advocate, the newspaper of the United Methodist Church's Mississippi Annual Conference.

This United Methodist News Service article was first released Oct. 10, 2001.