As the seasons begin to shift and the beauty of spring surrounds us here at Hinton, we are reminded of the new life, fresh beginnings, and renewed sense of purpose that this time of year brings. It is a season that reflects so much of who we are, a place to retreat, reflect, and renew.

With spring comes a full and exciting season ahead. We are preparing to welcome volunteers for our summer mission weeks, planning for our upcoming golf tournament, and already looking ahead to our Christmas in July fundraiser. Each of these moments is more than just an event, they are opportunities to come together, to serve, and to make a lasting impact in the lives of our neighbors.

Because of your continued support, Hinton remains a place where hands and hearts meet real needs. Whether through home repairs, shared meals, or moments of quiet reflection on our campus, lives are being changed every single day.

We invite you to journey with us through this newsletter, to celebrate what has been accomplished, to look ahead at what is to come, and to discover how you can be part of the work happening here at Hinton.

Thank you for being a part of this community.

Our Summer Mission Outreach program is quickly filling for 2026, with many of our 10 summer weeks already at or near capacity. Each week, we welcome youth, college, and church groups who come ready to serve, learn, and grow.

Throughout the summer, volunteers work alongside our team and neighbors to complete Safe & Healthy Home Repairs, building ramps and installing accessibility features, repairing porches and stairs, and improving living conditions for families across our region.

In 2025 alone, 1,186 volunteers served over 23,755 hours, representing more than $826,000 in value poured directly back into our community. That impact continues to grow each summer.

But the mission goes beyond the work itself. Teams engage in worship, reflection, and poverty awareness and perspective education, gaining a deeper understanding of Western rural Appalachia and what it means to walk alongside others with dignity and compassion. These weeks are often transformational, not only for the neighbors we serve, but for every volunteer who steps onto this campus.

With limited availability remaining, now is the time to reserve your group’s spot and be part of something bigger.

Be on the lookout for details on our upcoming Christmas in July fundraiser, supporting one of Hinton’s most meaningful ministries:

Christmas Care of Clay County

There is a path worn into the sacred ground at Hinton - not one made of sand or gravel, but a pathway of faithful footsteps. 

We call it our Beautiful Feet Pathway of Discipleship. It begins with young people, who are tentative and curious, stepping into confirmation retreats and discovering that God is already at work in their lives. It continues as they serve on missions, grow into leadership, and mentor others. And then something extraordinary happens: these same disciples begin shepherding the next generation… and the pathway continues, always leaving room for others to join in on the journey. 

For 65 years, countless “beautiful feet” have walked this holy ground. 

Can you imagine the stories held here, starting with Rev. Claude and Betty Jean Young, whose idea connected them with Velma and Walter Moore, whose generous donation of land made Hinton possible, to Alice Hinton, who donated the financial resources to help launch the ministry.  Talk about legacy! These faithful disciples were just the beginning, with generations to follow. 

It reminds me of the words we’ve sung around campfires for decades: 

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going…
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing…
That’s how it is with God’s love, once you experience it, you’ll want to pass it on.” 

And truly—
“It’s fresh like spring, you’ll want to sing… you’ll want to pass it on.” 

At six and a half decades into this ministry, we are celebrating those who came before us while faithfully stepping into the future. 

Because of God’s provision and your generosity, we are debt-free, and serving individuals, congregations, and rural communities through retreat ministries, educational opportunities, and missional outreach.  
 

Now, we are stepping forward: 

This is holy work.
This is Kin-dom work.
And the path is still unfolding before us. 

Will you help us continue the pathway? 

Your gift today supports: 

When something is fresh like spring, we can’t help but sing, and we can’t help but pass it on. 

Will you join us in celebration? 

Save the date as we plan to celebrate 65 years of Hinton Rural Life Center on November 13, 2026, with details coming soon.  Together, we will honor this ministry, these people, and this sacred place, and lift our voices in gratitude for the ways God’s love continues to be shared through Hinton. 

Thank you for being part of this journey.
Thank you for helping us pass it on. 

With gratitude and hope, 

Dr. Jacqueline Gottlieb, President and CEO

Join us for our 6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Mountain Harbour Golf Club in Hayesville, NC.

This event continues to grow each year as a fun and meaningful way to support Hinton’s mission. The day includes:

New in 2026: A special Church Team Competition, where a trophy and prize will be awarded to the church team with the best score.

Every team registered, every sponsorship, and every raffle item contributes directly to Hinton’s outreach, supporting home repairs, firewood ministry, and programs like Christmas Care that serve families across our region.

Register: https://hintoncenter.org/golf-tourney-info-registration/

There are truly opportunities for everyone at Hinton, no matter your skills or availability. Ways to get involved include:

Whether you give a day, a week, or ongoing time, your service helps create lasting change in the lives of others.

We look forward to welcoming participants this fall for BOOM (Boomers on Outreach Mission), October 4–9, 2026.

Designed for adults 60+, BOOM offers a meaningful opportunity to serve through hands-on home repair projects, while also enjoying fellowship, worship, and learning experiences centered on rural poverty and Appalachian culture.

No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to serve. BOOM continues to be a powerful reminder that it is never too late to make a lasting impact.

As we reflect on where Hinton stands today, we are filled with gratitude.

So much of what we now see, this place, this mission, this impact, was once something we simply prayed for. Through faith, perseverance, and the unwavering support of this community, those prayers have been answered in ways we could have never fully imagined.

To every volunteer, donor, partner, and friend—thank you. You have helped build something that continues to serve, grow, and transform lives each day.

Even in the challenges we face, we are reminded that every obstacle brings us closer to the purpose we were called to, and closer to what we once prayed for. With grateful hearts, we continue forward, trusting in what is still to come.