ABOUT US
We are truly an emerging community. I hope you will join us in molding this new community. Here are some things that we know about ourselves:
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This community will be grounded in God’s radically inclusive grace. Throughout the Church’s history we have singled groups of persons out for exclusion. As we continually repent for this tendency, this will be a community where all persons are invited to participate fully in the life of the community.
Jesus is the center of everything we do. Even if you don’t know all of the right words to say to describe Jesus, if you hang around with us long enough I am confident that you will leave with a desire to follow Jesus who calls us to holiness: love of God and love of neighbor.
Following Jesus is something we do together. As Methodists, we know that the context of our life with God is community. We believe in the connection of the United Methodist Church. We will lean on one another as we welcome others into this communal life of faith.
ABOUT OUR PASTOR
Rev. Andrew Baten
COMMUNITY PASTOR
Hi! I'm Andrew, a Florida native (Go Gators!) who loves living as a transplant to North Carolina. I am married to Nikki - also a United Methodist pastor - and we have two children - 4-year-old Asher and new baby sister Ellie. I love everything about food: growing it, cooking it, and of course eating it. I enjoy getting outside with my family to explore the best of what this beautiful state has to offer, and traveling to explore new places.
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I am hopeful for who the United Methodist Church is becoming. I am excited for an inclusive church that welcomes all people to participate fully in the life of the community. As we move forward into a hopeful new future of United Methodism, we hold fast our faith, heritage, and traditions which have sustained us for generations. We lean into the power of our connection. Of course, we will keep Jesus at the center of everything we do – Jesus, who calls us to holiness: love of God and love of neighbor.