Our new lead pastor is David Brownlee, and he comes to us from the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.  David is an Asbury graduate, and has served as senior pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the North Carolina Conference.  David has met with your Pastor Parish Relations Committee, as well as with Cary and all of our clergy and senior staff, and I can tell you that our collective response was overwhelmingly positive.  David is very extroverted and engaging, and after listening to a number of his sermons, we can assure you that he will bring excellent preaching that provides practical application and is rooted in conservative, Biblical theology.

David is a strong, progressive leader who has the gift of planning exciting, passionate worship, and has a proven history of shaping a mobilizing vision in the churches he has pastored.  He is appreciative of the great history of Christ United Methodist Church, and has experience in revitalizing churches that have gone through difficult times.  David has a strong interest in evangelism, intentional spiritual formation, and leader development, and embraces different styles of worship to allow members to worship in the way that most resonates with their spirit.  David possesses a passionate interest and background in Missions, both locally and globally.  Another of his gifts to us will be his keen interest in mentoring and developing the associate pastors on our staff, guiding and equipping them to serve in larger churches.

David and his wife Irene have been married for 41 years, and have a grown daughter named Katie.  Irene is currently serving as Acting Director of Congregational Development for the United Methodist Conference in North Carolina.  She has a passion for worship and music, as well as spiritual development, and sees herself as a partner with David in his ministry.

David and Irene's first Sunday with us will be June 28, and I know that you will do an outstanding job of extending to them a warm Mississippi welcome as they become part of our Christ Church family.  God has been so faithful to us in His provision of David Brownlee as our next senior pastor!  I ask you to continue to pray for Cary and Mechelle and their boys as they prepare for the transition to their new appointment, and for David and Irene as they say goodbye to their church family in North Carolina.