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The Pine Flat Methodist Church is set to hosts its annual homecoming celebration on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. at the historical church located on Highway 10 west of Greenville.

Descendants of the original founders and their friends will come together to celebrate the long history of the church and its cemetery as they gather together.

This year’s special guest speaker will be Dr. John Ed Mathison. He served as the senior minister for of Frazier Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery for 36 years before retiring in 2008.

Under his leadership, Frazer Memorial grew from 400 members to 9,000 members, and had the largest Sunday school attendance for the United Methodist Church in America.

He has traveled to India 4 times to teach pastors as part of Billion Soul Initiative. Mathison has served as platform speaker for the National Conference of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and platform speaker for the National Hi-Y Tri-Hi-Y Conference at Black Mountain, NC.  He has also been a seminar speaker at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove.

In 1994, John Ed was selected as the National Clergyman of the Year by The Religious Heritage of America, joining the ranks of such nationally known figures as Billy Graham to receive the honor.  He was selected as “Man of the Year” in Montgomery for 1978 and Citizen of the Year in 2006.

Mathison and his wife, Lynn, have three daughters, Vicki, Lauren and Clay, and one son, Si. They are also the proud grandparents of eight grandsons, Eddie, Robert, John, David, Will, Thomas, Mat, John Thomas and two granddaughters, Catherine and Margaret Healey.

The trustees of the Pine Flat Cemetery Association cordially invite all family members, those with ancestral connections and friends to attend the annual event.  Bring a basket lunch, folding chairs, folding tables, and enjoy the great Christian fellowship and special entertainment.