Conversation at annual conference results in additional inspirational books for U.S. armed forces

A conversation at annual conference between two UM leaders resulted in a $5,000 gift to provide copies of a historic book of daily devotions to deployed troops.

Robert Powell and Edmon H. McKinley struck up a conversation while attending a 2003 session of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference.

Powell, chair of the UM Men Foundation, told McKinley about Strength for Service to God and Country, a book first published for troops serving in World War II and rediscovered and published by a California Boy Scout.

McKinley, an attorney from Thomasville, and chair of the distribution committee of the Julian T. Turner Charitable Trust, was impressed by the project and took a request to the other three members of the committee. The committee agreed with McKinley that this was a project that deserved support and issued a grant of $5,000 to provide additional free copies to troops being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The fact that the project was launched by Boy Scout as part of his Eagle project was appealing to me,” said McKinley, 57, who is also an Eagle Scout who attended Philmont Ranch and Scouting Jamboree. “A blend of scouting, patriotism and strong religious convictions has resulted in a helpful resource for our armed forces.”

McKinley is the attorney who established two trust funds for the late Julian T. Turner and Thomas Turner, and he is the only person who serves on both distribution committees. The committees annually provide about $100,000 to projects in west Alabama and across the nation. “We like to give to projects we can see and touch,” said McKinley. The funds have supported fire departments, school projects, a men’s shelter, Auburn University projects, and a retired physician who provides free medical work and drugs for indigent patients.

As a 30-year member of Thomasville UMC, McKinley is especially pleased to support a United Methodist project. He has served as Sunday school superintendent and a member of the administrative board for the 400-member congregation. He is also a graduate of UM-related Birmingham Southern University and serves on the alumni executive committee.

McKinley and his wife, Margie, are proud parents of two grown daughters and a son who is a senior in high school.