Glenn "Tex" Evans was a United Methodist Minister,
former missionary, and a pioneer in exciting ministries to persons in Appalachia.
The author of "Life is Like That" spoke out of a deep reservoir
of personal experience and with a delightful sense fo humor. Tex was a wise
and gentle man whose entire ministry was devoted to the enhancing of life,
the eradication of pain and poverty, the motivations of young persons to
Christian Discipleship, and the proclamation of the gospel.
While ministering at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, the Rev.
Tex Evans witnessed the great needs for better housing in eastern Kentucky.
This compassionate interpretation of the Gospel moved Tex to envision a
way to meet distressed housing needs while encouraging the "Church"
to be a part of the solution. His creative plan matched church youth from
around the country to specific homes in Central Appalachia. Tex harnessed
the powerful resource of energetic, concerned people by creating a work
project that has changed both the living conditions of thousands and the
lives of tens of thousands of volunteers who have unselfishly given their
time, talents and labors.
ASP's first work camp center was established in 1969 at Union College in
Barbourville, Kentucky. Tex, with $800 and "Pinky" (the pink station
wagon which was the first donated ASP vehicle) enlisted 50 volunteers to
repair four homes.
By 1974, ASP had 2900 volunteers at ten centers and repaired 301 homes.
The Cup of Cold Water Fund was established at that time to pay for wells,
septic, plumbing, and to instal electricity for homes without these amenities.
In 1976, ASP sponsored work crews in Arkansas, California, Alabama, Wisconsin,
North Dakota, and Kentucky. (The Sierra Service Project was a successful
spin-off from ASP's ministry in California and is still incorporated today.)
Recognizing that the project was too geographically diverse, in 1977 ASP
returned to its roots in Central Appalachia and established projects in
Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.
In 1978, in order to help prepare groups for their week of service with
ASP and to educate the volunteers about issues of poverty, history, and
culture of Appalachia, ASP began sponsoring regional workshops. Conducted
during the late winter months in five locations around the country. These
workshops provided training for new groups as well as an opportunity for
volunteers to meet and share their ASP stories. This was also the time when
summer staff applicants were interviewed.
On July 25, 1978 the Rev. "Tex" Evans died from cancer, yet his
vision continues to inspire and encourage individuals and churches throughout
the United States, as well as the people of the Appalachian Region. The
spirit of ASP remains vitally alive today as it did at inception; to serve
our neighbors in Christian love and acceptance through housing services.
In over 30 years, more than 100,000 volunteers from at least thirty one
states have repaired many thousands of homes and built affordable new homes
for very low-income families in Central Appalachia. Working under the auspices
of the Appalachia Service Project, these volunteers pay their own expenses
and give of their time and resources to make homes warmer, safer, and drier
for the families they serve.