Jonesboro Methodist Church will turn 150 years old in 2025! Founded in 1875, that makes the congregation older than Lee County. Before the first building was completed, the church consisted of no more than 13 members and met in a one-room schoolhouse for two years. After the church building was completed, the congregation began to grow, but remained committed to supporting education as a main ministry.
In 1963, the then-pastor, Rev. Vernon Tyson, initiated a pulpit swap with esteemed theologian and president of NC A&T university, to preach, in an effort to encourage the congregation to treat racial justice as a key faith issue. Though there was severe pushback, the congregation experienced their struggle to accept this teaching as profoundly transformative. Ordinary people found their courage here in their struggle to say yes to this teaching.
In 1965, the church built the current sanctuary, which includes a wonderful pipe organ that we enjoy to this day.
In 1971, the church opened a daycare center, which remains operational to this day, and the presence of children helps our congregation thrive every day of the week.
In 2000, the church completed building the Wesley Center, a large space that functions as a space for contemporary-style worship, as well as a gathering place and fellowship hall.
In 2003, the church started the ministry Christians United Outreach Center, a food pantry and more, to respond to a clear urgent need for reliable access to food, other necessities, and pastoral care. This quickly outgrew our space and has become an ecumenical success story, uniting more than 60 local churches, as well as being supported by more than 120 local businesses. Members of JUMC continue to volunteer regularly at CUOC as the need unfortunately continues to grow.
In 2014, the church welcomed El Refugio to share our space. El Refugio welcomes new residents to Sanford and works to support and welcome individuals who are immigrants, with help navigating local systems, and long-term support through language learning and community building.
Today, the church maintains strong support for local missions through these and other partnerships. Members of JUMC regularly work at Bread Basket, take up collections of food for local missions, bring meals through Family Promise to families experiencing homelessness, and pivot quickly to respond to new and emerging needs in the Sanford area.