Bill Huggins of Sanford is the President of North Carolina Conference United Methodist Men (NCCUMM). 

As President of the NCCUMM, Bill helps coordinate men’s ministries at United Methodist churches across a large portion of the state, stretching from Burlington eastward to the Outer Banks. Part of that role takes him on visits to local UMM groups—and one recent visit introduced him to SECU Family House.

While visiting the United Methodist Men at Ebenezer UMC in Chatham County, Bill learned that the group regularly participates in Family House’s Meals from the Heart program, preparing and serving dinner for guests once a month. Ebenezer UMM President Wayne Tysinger shared more about the mission of Family House and some of the ways they could make an impact. The conversation immediately caught Bill’s attention.

“I am always looking for a way our UMM groups can serve our neighbors, and helping at the Family House sounded like a good ministry for us,” Bill said.

Bill soon connected with Georgie, our Volunteer Services Director, and came to the House for a visit. From there, he began looking at ways NCCUMM could put its resources—and its network of local groups—to work.

NCCUMM has already provided two new cookware sets for Family House’s guest suites, with Bill working to help replace additional sets. He is also encouraging other UMM groups in the area to follow Ebenezer’s example and participate in Meals from the Heart. One group has already expressed interest, and Bill hopes several more will join them.

For Bill, it’s an opportunity to connect groups throughout the region with a new way to serve—and to provide practical support and a welcoming meal to families who have traveled far from home for medical care.

We’re grateful to Bill, the North Carolina Conference United Methodist Men, and the members of Ebenezer UMC for turning one conversation about Family House into an expanding commitment to our guests and our mission.