Hinton Rural Life Center.

The Hinton Rural Life Center is a mission program of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. It began in 1957 and is located in Clay County, North Carolina. During the 1960s, the first full-time director, Harold W. McSwain, and Center staff developed leadership training materials, authored numerous publications, conducted conferences and seminars, and established volunteer and youth programs. They were also active in such groups as the Appalachian Development Committee of the United Methodist Church and the Commission on Religion on Appalachia. The Center was also a religious retreat center, offering facilities for families and other groups. As late as 2003 the Center has continued to define itself as a place for spiritual renewal. It is asource of information and consultation relating to the development of cooperative ministry and strengthening small-membership churches.