Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, Newton NC

The Reverend Jim Church is the present pastor of Abernethy Memorial. He is a native of Ashe County, NC. It was there that he met and married in 1979 the former Alyson Little also of Ashe County. Jim graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1972. He later graduated from Appalachian State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then attended Duke University where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1986. Jim received his license to preach in 1978 and received his first pastoral appointment in June of that same year. He was ordained Deacon in 1984 and then Elder in Full Connection in 1988. Jim began by serving student appointments in 1978 and served while a student until 1984. He has served a total of 7 pastoral appointments including the current appointment which he came to in 2004.

Jim is passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ and it is his greatest desire that everyone personally know Jesus and live for Him each day. He believes the power of the living Christ is the answer to transforming our present day world in which we live.