One vote is all that kept Pine Valley United Methodist Church (PVUMC) from disaffiliation. This Jacksonville Lighthouse congregation only had a few faithful remaining and now regularly has 50 or so in attendance each Sunday. Before Worship there are now vibrant Sunday school programs for all ages, and there are ten or more children upfront for the children’s message during the service. The established Crystal Coast Area United Methodist Connection Model, has organically grown collaborative programs and shared resources. The Holy Spirit is at work and this Church remains strong and committed to being a lighthouse along the coast for the Lord.
There has been some heavy lifting with the members and leaders in rebuilding PVUMC. A lot of excitement and optimism exists around what is happening. We have leaned into being a lighthouse church and providing a home for those searching. As the faithful are hitting a stride, new faces have appeared and some who were greatly missed have returned home to the PVUMC Church Family! In the last two years there have been both adult and children baptisms along with over 20 new church members. Many have stepped up into new roles, including a new One Church Board structure as a leap of faith for a calling to carry out God’s work. It has been a year of opportunities for connecting to our community in a new and better way. We have established ourselves as a church that is “community.” Pine Valley United Methodist church has quickly become publicly known as a place that welcomes everyone and provides whatever it is you may need.
The new Church Board worked diligently to reduce the annual budget this year and to give each dollar a job. We established expense categories and implemented line items to be able to assign and track each expense. PVUMC is growing in a variety of ways and the make-up of the church congregation is evolving. Gracious gifts helped pay for needed building improvements. There is a new roof, HVAC, several exterior doors, an open and welcoming chancel area in the sanctuary, repaired lighting, and fixed toilets. There is much excitement about the refurbished outside pavilion area. This space has been used this spring and there are summer plans for picnics, events, and concerts on the lawn as we engage and connect to the community in a lot of fun new ways! But the church was also able to earmark funding for missions and pay annual apportionments, which equates to just under 20k annually for this small church. And the church is on track to do the same this year!
A variety of new activities are in place to connect and engage the Community. There are bi-weekly Sunday Lunches to Go, monthly themed family fellowship nights, weekend Community events, The Chosen viewing and Bible study, a week day lunch prayer group, and the list goes on and on. You will see a new welcoming center just inside the entrance, a new migrated interactive website, a text in church communication platform, events geared specifically towards Marines and Sailors, and lots of planning around our student ministries program for families with young children.
This Church will keep finding new creative ways to connect, engage, and grow. PVUMC will continue to seek innovative ways for families to grow in faith, provide loving arms to give what our congregation and community need, and we will be a place as a lighthouse church for individuals to grow spiritually as they build closer relationships with God and each other. Just inside the doors of our welcome center there is a lit sign that says, ‘Be the Light!” As a vibrant Lighthouse Congregation, that is exactly what we are called to do and what we intend to do.
Rev. Dr. Layne Harpine
Pastor, Pine Valley United Methodist Church
Jacksonville, NC