Denomination: United Methodist

Street address: 8511 Main Street, Ivor

phone number: 757-238-2061

e-mail address:

mabeale4freedom@yahoo.com

Pastor/Pastors: The Rev. Anne Beale

Weekly service times: Sunday service — 10 a.m.

praise music, 10:15 a.m. worship (communion second Sunday monthly), nursery available, 11:15 a.m. church school Bible study:

Hour of Grace,

Bible study on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., except the third Thursday of the month when we have a special musical guest, a message and observe communion.

Year founded: 1883

Prior locations: Rawlings Drive, Ivor

Other ministries within: The Rev. Roy Drake, Retired

Outside: We gave 13 percent of our budget away to Mission Ministries. Our youth group will travel to St. Petersburg, Fla., for a summer mission week.

Number of members: Approximately 35 active members

Advice to a first-time visitor: At Ivor UMC it is our hope and prayer that you will discover and experience heartfelt worship, relevant preaching and teaching, compassionate care, and meaningful relationships. Come as you are and join us as we celebrate together our life in Christ in fresh and exciting ways.

One thing you wish everyone knew about your church: We have a great music program that encompasses everything from older gospel to modern day contemporary worship — something for everyone.

Philosophy in one sentence: We endeavor to know God, grow in our faith and go forth to serve.

pastor’s background: I was born in Hampton, and my family moved to Isle of Wight County when I was 10 years old.

I had a pretty normal childhood and graduated from Smithfield High School in 1969.

My husband, Aubrey, was born and raised in Suffolk—we met; fell in love; and later married.

We will celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary in July…. God has blessed us with three lovely daughters, and eight of the grandest grandchildren we know—My life as a minister of the gospel began when I was born of God’s Spirit in March of 1980.

Since that time I have had the privilege to co-pastor in three small inter-denominational congregations. I have functioned in many capacities within the life of the church and have witnessed several lives being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. My first love is Jesus Christ and my one desire is to bring Him pleasure as I give Him my life in total abandonment.

pastor’s philosophy: My philosophy in ministry is found in Colossians 1:25-29:

“I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for others, to make the word of God fully known—to make known—the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Him I proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that I may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.”

quote from someone in the congregation: We are a loving, spirit-filled church family of God.

wheRe the church should be in five years: I am a new pastorp at Ivor UMC and we have not yet had an opportunity to explore our dreams for the next five years and yet I think it would be safe to be in agreement with the Word of God and what is described as the Lord’s vision for the future of His Church. According to Zechariah 9 and 10 the church shall be glorious, shining in goodness and beauty, strong and filled with gladness, drawing people in from all around, equipping young and old alike to take up the work of the Kingdom of God with joy. She shall be bursting at the seams and prevailing victoriously through trials and afflictions.