"Walking the halls at the United Methodist Home for Children under Rev. Arthur's leadership felt like walking on sacred ground," says Rev. Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, president, Wesley Theological Seminary. "In his 36 years at the Children's Home, Rev. Arthur took the program from modest staff and transformed it to a state-of-the-art, contemporary facility for troubled youth.

"Keary Kincannon has had a dramatic impact on the Route 1 Corridor," says Rev. McAllister-Wilson. "He's touched the lives of the people who came to him in need as well as those who came to Rising Hope wanting to be a part of this movement."

On Monday, May 7, Wesley Theological Seminary presented Rev. Kenneth Arthur, former director of the United Methodist Home for Children in Pennsylvania, and Rev. Kincannon, founding pastor, Rising Hope United Methodist Mission in Alexandria, Va., with the Society of John Wesley Award of Merit. The seminary gives this award annually to alumni who, through sacrificial leadership, exemplify a high standard of commitment and devotion to God, the church (referring to the universal church) and Wesley Theological Seminary. Recipients are Wesley graduates nominated and selected by fellow alumni.

"Keary is one of the most amazing servants of Christ and the church," says Rev. Laura Beaver Hamrick of Mooresville, N.C. Hamrick nominated Kincannon for the award. She became familiar with Kincannon's work when she completed her seminary field-placement internship at Rising Hope. "The time I spent at Rising Hope forever changed my life and ministry."

Kincannon graduated with his Master of Divinity degree in1981 from Wesley. He founded Rising Hope in 1996 to be a church that focuses on the least, last, lost, lonely and those left out of mainstream society. He has supported Wesley Theological Seminary by serving as a seminar leader for the school's field-placement program. He has also been field-education supervisor for five Wesley interns placed at Rising Hope. And for the past two years, Keary has served on the Urban Ministry Task Force with other professionals trying to help shape the program at Wesley to effectively equip pastors for urban ministry. 

"Rev. Arthur's sincere and selfless actions speak even louder than his kind, encouraging words. He has led an exemplary life among us and we both admire and respect him." says Rev. Dr. Marlin Snider of Mechanicsburg. Snider nominated Arthur for the award.

Arthur graduated with his Master of Divinity degree in 1961 from Wesley. He is a full member of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church and has been since 1961. He served many churches in four separate appointments before being appointed to the United Methodist Home for Children in 1970.