MidSouth Articles, Churches, MidSouth Conference
Gray-Haired People Were the Minority, Several HundredYouth Filled the Sanctuary, and the Gospel Was Preached
by Rev. Todd Chancey • Published Monday, August 17, 2026
Most every Sunday is booked on my calendar. Liz, my wife, and I usually visit a different Global Methodist Church somewhere in the MidSouth Conference each Sunday, where I have the opportunity to preach and Liz and I can fellowship with the local congregation.
For Sunday, August 16, 2026, my calendar was clear. I knew I would be returning from a mission trip to Paraguay and Guatemala late yesterday afternoon or evening. With international travel, you never know when plans may change, so I did not want to take a chance of being a “no-show.” I intentionally left today open on my calendar. As I look back, I realize that God already had a plan. He always does!
Liz and I decided to visit Centenary Global Methodist Church in Danville, Kentucky. Danville is about a 50-minute drive from our home, and we learned that the second worship service would not begin until 11:15 a.m., giving us plenty of time to travel and worship with the church family at Centenary.
When we arrived, the pastor, Rev. Chris Morgan, who also serves as the Presiding Elder in the Lexington District, greeted us and said, “Today will be a different experience.” Boy, was he right! I looked around. The parking lot was full, and there were several hundred young people gathered in the common area, getting ready to go inside. I quickly learned that it was “TAILGATE SUNDAY”—the last Sunday before Friday-night football begins for the county and city high schools. Both the city and county high school coaches had invited all their players to come to church together before the season began. And they came! Not only did the coaches and players attend, but many of their families came as well. The support teams were there, too—including cheerleaders, the color guard, dance team, and football auxiliary. The older folks—the people with gray hair, people like me—were definitely the minority. Thanks be to God!
One high school player from each team came forward and shared their testimony and faith. Each coach shared about their work with the students in the city and county schools. Then, a leader (Aaron Hogue, the chaplain for the University of Kentucky’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes) shared the Gospel from Galatians 2:20-21 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” What a powerful Sunday morning!
The church family at Centenary then fed everyone after the service. It was truly a blessing to see how God is working through Centenary Global Methodist Church in Danville and to learn more about the good work this congregation is doing in its community.
I wanted to share this story because I believe it can encourage other churches. Consider having a TAILGATE SUNDAY in your community next fall. Invite the local high school teams. Invite the coaches. Invite the families. Invite the cheerleaders,
color guard, dance teams, and support staff. Open the doors of your church and see what GOD can do!
Today, Liz and I were blessed—not only by the worship service, but by seeing several hundred young people gathered in a church sanctuary and hearing the Gospel proclaimed.
May God continue to use Centenary Global Methodist Church to reach the next generation for Jesus Christ!
Sharing the Good News,
Todd Chancey
Conference Superintendent
P.S. Liz and I would love to visit your congregation! If you would like us to come and worship with you, simply send us an invitation. If our calendar allows, we would be happy to be with you and your congregation. Call or text: 423-290-3999 Email: tchancey@midsouthgmc.org
