Pastor’s Report

Pastor’s Report on the State of Broad Street United Methodist Church

 In accordance with ¶ 340 of the Book of Discipline, I am pleased to present this report on the state of Broad Street United Methodist Church, sharing insights into the pastoral ministry, the support and training provided to the laity, our outreach to the community and world, and the administration of the church’s temporal affairs.

State of the Church and Pastoral Ministry

Broad Street UMC continues to serve as a beacon of faith, offering a faithful and resilient witness within Statesville community and beyond. Our journey has been marked by profound challenges, including the devastation of COVID-19 and significant changes within the church. These events have reshaped much of our reality and forced us to confront uncertainties that affect our congregation. Yet, through all that has occurred, Broad Street has remained a testament to resilience and faith, drawing strength from God’s love.

This period of change has allowed Broad us to rediscover who we are as a church, clarifying our core value, purpose and mission. Broad Street remains a place where members, friends, and supporters faithfully contribute their prayers, gifts, and acts of service, enabling the church not just to survive but to thrive. We honor our church’s past while courageously stepping forward into a future filled with promise and purpose. We stand as “Broad Street Strong,” with our congregation’s commitment to unity, service, and redefinition in a changing church and world.

As we look to the coming year, we are dedicated to fostering a lay-led ministry that embodies our mission. I am grateful to see such committed and passionate lay leaders emerging, stepping forward to share their visions, gifts, and organizational talents. Together, we are reorganizing and, in some areas, building anew from the foundation up. May our witness be powerful, as we are blessed by the gifts of each individual who contributes to this shared mission.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth and Engagement

In the coming year, we envision a church where every member is engaged in ministries that nurture and deepen their spiritual lives. It is our prayer that those who may have drifted away will feel renewed connection and fervor for Broad Street UMC. We recognize the importance of creating new spaces for spiritual growth, fostering relationships, and strengthening our administrative systems to support this vision. With Christ’s heart guiding us, we are poised to be a transformative presence especially as we participate anew in the First Church Cohort.

 Commitment to Compassionate Outreach

 Looking ahead, we aim to enhance our outreach and serve as a visible testament to God’s love for all people. We are called to extend our efforts to support mission and ministry that tangibly impacts our neighbors and those in need. Broad Street UMC has a longstanding legacy of compassionate outreach, and it is our prayer to expand this legacy, reaching further and digging deeper to support and uplift God’s children.

Program of Continuing Education and Spiritual Growth

In alignment with ¶ 349, I am committed to ongoing personal development in both education and spiritual growth. This past year, I had the privilege of completing the Duke Divinity School of Preaching, an experience that has enriched my ministry and deepened my commitment to the church’s mission. Looking ahead, I plan to continue pursuing opportunities that will equip me to serve more effectively, alongside spiritual practices that fortify my calling and connection to God.

Conclusion and Vision for the Future

 Broad Street UMC is a congregation that has done, and continues to do, remarkable work in the name of Jesus Christ. Though I am still learning the full depth of this church’s history and spirit, I have already witnessed the graciousness, care, and love that define Broad Street’s people. I am honored to be part of this transformational journey, and I look forward to faithfully leading as we continue to grow together.

As we step into the future, may we be encouraged by God’s faithfulness in our past and filled with hope for what lies ahead. Broad Street UMC is a place and a people who uplift each other in prayer, who care for one another, and who sing of a grace that we are assuredly blessed with. May we enter the next year confident that God will guide us, eager to serve, and ready to experience more deeply the joy of life in God’s kingdom. Let us look forward even more faithfully and determinedly to be who God has called us to be as a church, carrying forward a legacy of faithful witness, ready to embrace a future grounded in hope, adaptability, and the transformative power of God’s presence.