A WELCOME FROM THE PASTOR
PASTOR, DAVID AVERILL
Welcome to St. John’s United Methodist Church. As you read about the many ministries offered at our church, I pray there will be points of interest to you. You reading this information tells me you are pondering about whether our church will be a good fit for your spiritual home. I’ve discovered since coming in 2015, this is what guides this body of Christ at St. John’s:
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A love of Jesus Christ and a commitment to be His faithful people: Whether you are starting to explore Christianity or are a seasoned Christian, you’ll find a warm welcome into fellowship, learning, and service. There is a place here for everyone!
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An outward orientation: There is a passion among the people to serve the under-resourced whether in our own city or anywhere around the globe, offering God’s love, material resources, and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Mission transforms our lives as well as our world. SJUMC is striving to make a difference one person at a time.
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A diverse people: As a United Methodist Church, we are a people of all ages, nations, and races. Our heritage places primacy on scripture, while in conversation with tradition, experience, and reason. Though we might have differences in interpretation and opinions, we join together in unity to worship and serve our Lord as we grow daily in our Christian walk. I look forward to getting to know you better.
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Yours in Christ’s service,
Pastor David Averill
OUR MISSION
Making fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ
VISION STATEMENT
To be a community in Mission
CORE VALUES
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Meaningful Worship - We are a people who seek after God’s real and personal presence in our lives through great worship experiences.
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Spiritual Growth - Because we are followers of Jesus Christ, we make every effort to grow and mature into fully devoted disciples.
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Serving - We believe God wants us to discover, develop and deploy our unique gifts from the Holy Spirit and use them in ministry.
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All People Matter to God - We believe God challenges us to reach out in mission and evangelistic efforts on both a local and global scale offering a path for others to discover Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
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Prayer - Prayer was an important part of Jesus’ life, and there is nothing more vital for our Christian life than prayer.
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Welcoming - We believe the Christian life compels us to actively seek out others.
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Reconciliation - We believe reconciliation is one of God’s most precious gifts given to us; therefore, we use The Mathew 18 Principle when handling offenses and complaints.
UNITED METHODIST BELIEFS
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WE BELIEVE IN THE TRIUNE GOD, THE TRINITY – FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT. GOD THE FATHER/CREATOR; GOD THE SON, JESUS CHRIST; AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO COMFORTS, SUSTAINS, GUIDES AND EMPOWERS US TO PARTICIPATE IN GOD’S LIFE AND MISSION TO THE WORLD.
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WE BELIEVE EVERY PERSON IS A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD.
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WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE REVEALS THE WORD OF GOD.
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WE BELIEVE IN THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF GOD’S REIGN OF COMPASSION, JUSTICE, GENEROSITY, AND PEACE.
UNITED METHODISTS BELIEVE
- BISHOP KENNETH L. CARDER
MEET OUR STAFF
OUR FAITHFUL AND FAITH-FILLED LEADERS
SENIOR PASTOR
DAVID AVERILL
Rev. David Averill has served as the Senior Pastor of St. John's since July 2015. He is a native of Miami, Florida, where he was born and raised. Rev. Averill is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.A. in English, 2004), the Defense Language Institute, FLC (A.A. in Arabic Culture and Language, 2006), Nova Southeastern University (M.S. in Education, 2009), and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.Div., 2012). Before entering Christian ministry, he served 5 years on active duty in the U.S. Army as an Arabic linguist. He now serves as a chaplain in the Army Reserves He has been married to his better half, Alesia (née Kuliashova), since March 2012, just before their move to Gainesville in July 2012, and they have two children, Daniel and Amelia. Alesia is a native of Belarus. David has a passion for mission and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & WORSHIP
RON WILLIAMS
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR
CLAUDIA WILLOUGHBY
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH & RECREATION
JONAH BURKETT