Venue reopens after receiving permit
BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Rev. James D. “Jim Doug” Muncy prayed for years about holding the Mountain Holiness Camp Meeting for two nights, March 30 and 31, in the Historic Martin County Courthouse in Inez.
“Back in the fall I felt like it was the time and God was giving me the go-ahead,” Muncy said. “I chose those two dates because they come after the [daylight saving time] change and people will be more fluid.”
The revival starts at 6 p.m. on both days with music, worship and preaching.
Muncy, an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, grew up in Kermit and has had a long love affair with Martin County. His father, James “Bobby” Muncy, was the band director at three former high schools – Inez, Warfield and Sheldon Clark – and brought his son to school with him in Martin County.
“I was in the second graduating class at Sheldon Clark,” said Muncy. “I fell in love with Martin County. I married a girl from Turkey Creek, where I eventually went to church, got saved, got called to preach, and got started in the ministry.”
Muncy has been pastoring for nearly 40 years and has served in Beauty, Warfield, Greenup County and Carter County. He is currently pastoring in Boyd County.
“I just love the people in Martin County and wanted to come and do something to help the churches,” said Muncy.
Martin County Tourism Commissioner Brenda Evans Davis said she is excited about having the Historic Martin County Courthouse open again for events. The building recently received its permit to open after several months of delay.
“We’re working on getting our heat, but that shouldn’t be too far away,” Davis said. “We are very blessed and excited for this to happen in Martin County. We love this old courtroom and have felt for 20 or 30 years that God wanted to restore it. Sometimes we don’t know how long it will take for prayers to be answered, but they’re being answered. It’s just amazing what the Lord has done.”
Muncy and Davis want “everyone” to come out for the camp meeting.
“This is not about a denomination. It’s just about the body of Christ and people coming together, praying, praising and seeking God,” said Davis.
“God can turn things around in Martin County. We believe we’re on the verge of seeing some mighty things. We’re believing for that $60 million to come in for the water – that God is looking down on us and we’re going to see some good things in Martin County, God’s kingdom.”
Muncy said that traditionally there had been revival meetings in the old courthouse.
“I know of one that the Church of the Nazarene district superintendent did in this courthouse. That must have been in the ‘50s or ‘60s,” remarked Muncy.
Davis recalled Brother Kenny Hamilton of the Church of the Nazarene coming to the courthouse about 23 years ago and preaching on “building back the wall.”
Muncy fondly recalled Hamilton working all day in the log yard in Olive Hill, then driving to Martin County to hold revival meetings at all the churches.
“He loved Martin County,” said Muncy.
Davis said the old courtroom had also served as the venue for Martin County SAFE program and Unity meetings.
“We just thank God for this history of people coming together and wanting to see a movement of God,” said Davis.