Since its inception in 1871 on Bennett–s Pasture Road, Beech Grove United Methodist Church has been open to the various needs of the community it serves. For almost a century, the church has served the Suffolk community from its present location at 4251 Driver Lane. The current pastor is the Reverend Keith Moore, who has been working to enhance the participation of the community in programs at the church while developing new opportunities for involvement.
Beech Grove–s uniquely welcoming congregation offers the kind of acceptance that enables people to become who they are meant to be through the many opportunities the church provides. In addition to the 8:30 praise worship, 10 A.M. Sunday school, and 11 A.M. worship service, the church offers a children–s worship service during the 11 A.M. service for children, grades K through 5. The choir is open to everyone as well as the praise band and another musical group. The praise band performs during the 8:30 service as well as at several community events.
The Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the Sea Scouts are an important part of the church and several troops meet at the church. Karate for Christ and the Art Group also use the church–s facilities, which are available for community use. In cooperation with other churches in Driver, a year-round youth group has been formed, and Vacation Bible School is held each summer.
The Missions Committee works through several groups at Beech Grove to offer numerous community outreach programs, such as serving lunches at the Salvation Army and providing school supplies to Driver–s elementary schools. In cooperation with Suffolk Social Services, the church provides Thanksgiving dinners for several families. This year the congregation will fill 150 stockings for the Salvation Army for Christmas gifts for children. Beech Grove is willing to help both church members and non-members when financial crises arise. A food pantry is maintained for this purpose.
Beech Grove holds a Fall Community Picnic for the neighborhoods and participates in various activities that support "Driver Days", the primary fundraising event for the Driver Volunteer Fire Department. Beech Gove United Methodist Church is the home of the Annual Easter Egg Factory in the final weeks before Easter. The factory makes delicious homemade chocolate-covered eggs in four flavors. Most of the proceeds support mission work and other outreach programs. Volunteers are always welcomed to join in the fellowship. The factory will be in operation March 14, 2011, and orders will be taken through April 9, 2011.
Beech Grove is looking forward to continued growth, further service to the community, and meaningful worship to the glory of God.
"We care about the you inside, the you that you thought you had to hide;" here–s how: Wisdom: There is no ‘secret’ knowledge to following Jesus, but there is much that cannot be ‘known’ without experience. Beech Grove is blessed to be a church with a significant well of wisdom. Many of our people are very proficient at sharing (when asked) their wisdom born from experience. You will find wisdom among us, without judgment or pretenses. Hospitality: Hospitality is the center of who we are. To prove it, ask yourself where you will find a group of blue collar, white collar, wealthy, indebted, educated and somewhat uneducated people serving together and enjoying each other? Beech Grove can be diverse because we simply love people, no matter how they dress, act, or live. Service: We are a church that the community counts on, and we express that by opening our doors to Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Sea Scout programs. We want to open our doors ever wider and make plans to use our land for the community–s benefit. We care about people beyond our walls and express that by sending a team to Gulfport, Mississippi. We love God and our neighbors. Ministry: When you realize what happens at Beech Grove, you may change your mind about this ‘small church.’ Our building is small -- our spirit is not! The 8:30 Contemporary and 11am Traditional worship is just the beginning. With Bible studies, choir, Praise Band, Middle and High School Youth groups, Scouting and both Men and Women–s fellowships; there is something for everyone! Direction. We are taking the best of our past, bringing it into the present and letting God direct the future. We will never cease to care about people, as they are. We will never cease to seek the Word of God, no matter how inconvenient. And we will always strive to be a church that expresses her care by listening and responding to the needs of people."
Come and worship with us and enjoy the fellowship.
Our Beech Grove Family Seeks our Lord–s will and shares Christ–s love with all.
We are called to be a compassionate, nurturing congregation who serves God through prayer, worship, fellowship, study and missions as we "Honor the past, serve the present and build the future."