Twenty-five years ago, several members of Holly Spring United Methodist Church began meeting with their pastor in a small group modeled after the Methodist class meeting. The group's purpose was to grow in "holiness of heart and life" through prayer and mutual accountability. That pastor was David Lowes Watson.

Dr. Watson eventually joined the staff of the General Board of Discipleship to develop the ministry we know today as Covenant Discipleship groups and Class Leaders. There are Covenant Discipleship groups in churches and college and seminary campuses across the U.S.

The movement is growing. It is supported by a new generation of resources recently published by the General Board of Discipleship and to a new full-time staff person, Steve Manskar, who is dedicated to the continuing development of Accountable Discipleship. The future is bright for the work begun 25 years ago.

The Council for Accountable Discipleship is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the ministry of Covenant Discipleship Groups and Class Leaders through training, support, and mentoring in local churches and annual conferences across The United Methodist Church.

In honor of Dr. Watson's ministry, the Council has established the Watson Endowment, with an initial goal of $250,000. The mission of the endowment is to support the continuing development of Accountable Discipleship through:

• Frequent regional training events;
• An Accountable Discipleship network that will connect congregations with Covenant Discipleship Groups for continuing support and training;
• Support of the work of the Director of Accountable Discipleship at the General Board of Discipleship, and
• The Development of Spanish, Korean, Russian, and other language Accountable Discipleship resources.

Your gift of $50, $100, $1000, or more to the Watson Endowment will honor our good friend and provide continuing support for forming disciples of Jesus Christ through mutual accountability and support. You may make your tax-deductible gift payable to The Council for Accountable Discipleship or (CFAD), c/o Southern Pines United Methodist Church, 175 Midland Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387-3311.