We are often asked why we chose the name "Dogwood Ministries," since - according to the people asking - the word dogwood has nothing to do with Jesus.  Well, actually, it does have much to do with Jesus!  When we discovered that, in order to incorporate in the State of Tennessee, we had to pick a new name for the ministry (the name we'd always used was taken!), we thought and prayed for a couple of weeks.  One day, it struck us both at the same moment... We had always used dogwood blossoms in our ministry graphics, so using Dogwood in our ministry name was a "natural." 

If you're not familiar with the Legend of the Dogwood, we've placed it below, so that you can undrstand why we treasure the name Dogwood Ministries...

Legend has it that 2000 years ago, a tall, strong species of tree grew in the Middle East.  Its thick, straight trunk was sought after by the Romans - the rulers of Jerusalem - for building crosses for executions.  One day an officer of the Roman Court came to the forest and ordered the woodsmen to construct an extra large cross from the best of their trees.  "Make it strong an  haven," he said.  "The King of the Jews is to be put to death."  It was soon delivered.

Shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus, the chief woodsman was alarmed to see that all those great trees had begun to whither and die.  In several more years, an amazing transformation had taken place.  The great oak-like dogwood trees were gone and in their place were thousands of flowering bushes with short, twisted trunks.  You see, the once proud forest giant was mortally anguished.  The crucified Jesus in healing pity said, "Never again will you grow large enough to be used for a cross."

Jesus continued, saying, "Henceforth, your trunk will be thin and twisted, with white blossoms having four petals in the shape of a cross.  The outer edge of each petal will show nail prints stained with red, and the center will be like a crown of thorns as a reminder to all."  So ends the Legend.

But as we know, at Eastertide, Dogwood blossoms burst forth in glorious beauty.

P.S. One thing that is not included in the Legend is that in the Fall, the dogwood produces clusters of blood-red berries, each shaped like a drop of blood!