Photo submitted by Hinton Center Clay Chamber Director Jim Rich presents an award to Dr. Jackie Gottlieb, President and CEO of Hinton Rural Life Center. Hinton was named the 2025 Organization of the Year by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
More than six decades ago, a quiet piece of land on Lake Chatuge became what we know as Hinton Rural Life Center. As Clay County’s oldest non-profit, Hinton Center celebrated 60 years in 2021. Since its humble beginnings, both local folks and visitors from across the country have traveled to Hinton for private events like weddings and family reunions, as well as to participate in retreats, training opportunities and mission outreach.
While Hinton Center’s roots began in the 1950’s with retreat ministry and community outreach, it was officially incorporated as an agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 1961. Over the years, Hinton Center has played a valuable role for many county residents and faith communities, by hosting a variety of discipleship ministries to help equip congregations, clergy and communities, from both rural and urban areas.
Hinton’s Director of Operations Andie Gottlieb, summed up what it represents today. “At Hinton Center, we host individuals and groups from all over the country who wish to retreat, reflect, renew and serve in the beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains.”
Hinton Center has touched the lives of many. It was named the 2025 Organization of the Year by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. In 2024, an Educational Tool Barn was dedicated, one of several educational initiatives by Hinton. Leadership Chatuge classes are another important educational initiative offered by Hinton, with many graduates from several counties in western North Carolina and north Georgia.
For many years, Cookies with Santa was hosted by Hinton Center. During the 2016 wild fires in western North Carolina, dozens of forestry firefighters from around the country and Puerto Rico stayed at Hinton. Disaster relief training has been conducted at Hinton, along with Rural Poverty Simulations, Mental Health First Aid and more. Post-Helene, Hinton volunteers and donors collected, assembled and sent 423 cleaning kits to Western North Carolina’s impacted areas.
According to Hinton’s Impact 2024 report, Hinton had 23,237 volunteer hours, with 1,142 unique volunteers and a total value in volunteer hours of $735,219 for 2024. There were 727 total mission participants, 53 churches served through missions, 282 total projects and 62 home repair households. In addition, 432 children received clothing through Christmas Cares and 787 free loads of firewood were cut and given to 232 individual families by volunteers.
The wooded campus encompasses 30 acres of walking trails, gardens, guest cottages, a hotel-style lodge, as well an assortment of private cabins and apartments. There is a labyrinth, a chapel overlooking the lake, a lakeside pavilion, a disc golf course and more. The dining room offers guests meals comparable to many highly acclaimed restaurants.
Gottlieb said these spaces are available for local community members, too. “We are also a resource for our local community for those who need lodging for out-of-town guests or who are looking for a venue to host a family gathering, special event, banquet, fundraising dinner, reception or training event,” she said. “Guests and visitors can enjoy both indoor and outdoor spaces for gathering, recreation, reflection and worship, including several with lake views.”
All of this seems to affirm the mission of Hinton Center:
“Inspired by Jesus Christ, Hinton Center serves individuals, congregations and rural communities through retreat ministries, educational opportunities and missional outreach.”
Next week, we will learn more about educational and volunteer opportunities available through Hinton Center. To learn more, schedule a tour or make a reservation, call: (828) 389-8336 or email: info@hintoncenter.org. Hinton Center is at 2330 Hinton Center Road in Hayesville. Visit: www.hintoncenter.org.