Towel Ministry is a youth-oriented ministry which specializes in housing repair and refurbishment for the elderly and handicapped. Teams of youth and qualified adults spread the Good News of the Gospel by participating in work projects, such as building handicap access ramps, painting, roofing, weatherproofing, other housing repairs and yard clean-up for the elderly and handicapped who need but cannot afford such repairs.  

Towel Ministry was started by Deacon Cris Greer and Fr. Gene McDowell, over 27 years ago.   Cris was deacon at Holy Cross from 1993 to his untimely passing in 2002.  Towel Ministry is a way for young people to put the Gospel into practical application in hands-on ministry.  This process of “walking the talk” takes the form at Holy Cross of “mini-summer camp” experiences usually lasting a week.  Depending on the interest of church youth both near and far, we have up to three Towel weeks in a summer.  Youth groups with their chaperon are housed in the Valle Crucis Conference Center.  Teams are formed consisting of both adults from Holy Cross and visiting youth.  Each team spends the week working at a host family’s home re-roofing, painting, repairing and cleaning up.  Teams also enjoy visiting local sites such as Grandfather Mountain and favorite river watering holes.  In addition to those parishioners on work teams, other members of the congregation support this ministry by running errands from grocery shopping or hauling trash to hosting a bonfire and cookouts.

Participation in Towel Ministry is a fulfilling experience.  As at least one parishioner has expressed, “It’s the hardest work I’ve ever done and the most rewarding.” Through volunteering for Towel Ministry, both the young and the not-so-young perceive palpable change in themselves as they see their sweat equity evolve into much needed home improvements which add comfort and dignity to the lives of host families.

If you or your youth group would like to participate in Towel Ministry, please contact Bill Shepler-Hamilton at Holy Cross – holy_cross@skybest.com .