A Loyd Star pastor’s love for her congregation and care inguiding her flock has led to her recognition in a nationalmagazine.

The Rev. Lynn Mote of New Hope United Methodist Church has beenselected as one of three contestants nationally to be featured inan upcoming edition of Crossings Magazine, a spiritual publication.The contest recognizes pastors for their attentiveness to theircongregations.

Mote was submitted to the contest in January without herknowledge by Jane Bounds, a member of the New Hope congregation.Bounds said she recently received a letter notifying her that Motehad been selected as a runner-up.

“In all honesty, I did not think we would win, but I wanted tohonor her and I wanted her to win,” Bounds said. “I think thejudges picked up on the fact that my words were sincere and verytruthful.”

Bounds said she did not expect her entry to win because previouswinners she has seen in the publication had all been from verylarge churches in major cities or were accomplished authors oftheological books or academic papers.

Mote will receive a Bible reference book and a brief biographyand Bounds’ letter will be published in an upcoming issue of themagazine.

The pastor said she was pleasantly surprised by therecognition.

“It was lovely,” she said. “It was very humbling and I feel veryundeserving of any honor at all. I love doing this. This is such aneasy place to be a pastor.”

Mote said the loving nature of her congregation made her jobeasy because she believes the key element to her ministry ispersonal relationships with every member.

“In every way possible, I want to build close relationships withthe people I’m here to serve,” she said. “I try to be myself aroundthem and hope they feel comfortable enough that they can bethemselves around me.”

Every pastor has their own style, Mote said, and hers is builtaround those relationships.

“I’d rather walk with them than over them in any way,” she said.”Pastors just plant the seeds. The only way anyone will grow intheir relationship to Jesus Christ is really to do the workthemselves.”

It is an approach that Bounds treasures.

“Lynn has made me stronger in my desire to love, obey andtrust,” she wrote in her submission. “She has made me want to studymore, want to grow more on this spiritual journey we call life andshare more of the things of value with each person who touches mylife. She has done all this by her example of love in Christ.”

Mote’s approach to spiritual guidance has helped her to overcomewhat could have become a serious obstacle in her calling. Not onlyis the church her first appointment, but she is the first femalepastor in the history of New Hope United Methodist Church.

“While I know that was a challenge for them, and they’re veryopen about that, they’ve embraced me and my family,” Mote said.”During these four years we’ve done ministry very welltogether.”

Mote said none of her success would be possible, however,without the support of her husband, Ansel, and daughter, Emily.