He has served as Pastor of local churches in the Corbin District, and in 2001, he was appointed by the Bishop to serve as a full-time evangelist. His ministry is called "Arise Ministries, Inc.", and he has a strong Prison Ministry, as well as preaching/teaching at Camp Meetings and Revivals across America.
This year in the Corbin District alone, he preached at Salem UMC, Felts Chapel UMC, Lynch UMC, Edwards Chapel UMC, Tuttles Chapel UMC, Ellers Chapel UMC, and Meadow Creek UMC.
Next year (2006) in the Corbin District alone, he will be preaching at Sardis Chapel UMC (April 26-30), and a Tent Revival in the Tri-City Area: Benham/Cumberland & Lynch UMC (June 26-30), and other churches as dates open up.
I have known Brother Larry since June of 1971, when I began my ministry at Williamsburg, Ky. (1971-1975), and he was a recent graduate of Cumberland College and a young tennis player.
On June 4 of this year, it was my joy and privilege to unite his daughter, Rachel, and her husband, Jeremy Beard, in marriage at the Someset UMC.
As Larry's friend and D.S., I am happy to serve on his Board of Directors for "Arise Ministries, Inc.". Last evening, it was a joy for Judy and me to attend the annual Board of Directors gathering on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky.
LWC is a wonderful United Methodist College with over 1,900 students, with revival and new life on the campus. Over 100 students are in the "Christian Ministry" program, and we had a good visit last evening with one of those student, John David Kalz, who is a member of Science Hill UMC and sensing God's call into the full-time ministry.
Our Columbia District Superintendent, Paul Fryman, is a vital part of the ministry of Lindsey Wilson College.
"Nichols Family" is Larry and Wanda, with their son, Dr. Joshua Nichols, and his son, Brandon, and Mr. and Mrs. (Rachel) Jeremy Beard.
They represent several churches in our Corbin District: Beech Grove UMC, Science Hill UMC, Somerset UMC, Whitley City UMC.
Larry and Wanda missed our Corbin District Christmas Gatheirng on Dec. 1, as Larry was preaching at the Bell County Forest Camp (Prison Ministry). It was a joy last evening to present to Wanda and Larry the "Hot Mits," which is our Christmas gift to all our Corbin District Pastors.
Thank you for praying for Larry and his ministry, and using him in your ministry to bring life and growth to the churches in the Corbin District.
Have a wonderful Lord's Day today on this 2nd Sunday of Advent. Continue to love your people, and as Wesley said to Coke: "Offer them Christ!"
Today, I'll be preaching at Pineville UMC at 11:00 am, Fellowship Church Dinner to follow, and then the Bell County Cluster Church Conference at 2:00 pm. At 6:00 pm, I'll be at the Harlan UMC for the Harlan County Cluster Church Conference.
We love you all, and our best days are ahead because of Jesus!
In Christ, Who makes us a Cluster of Living Grapes and not a box of dead raisins, Terry Faris, Corbin D.S.
