Timberlake UMC, Lynchburg District

Thomas Road Baptist isn’t the only strong church in Lynchburg. Timberlake United Methodist Church continues to grow and has a real vision for current and future community ministry.

Timberlake UMC member Doris Padgett volunteers at a Salvation Army kettle.

Timberlake reaches out. When nearby Lawyers Missionary Baptist Church was destroyed by a tornado, TUMC invited the congregation to use its old sanctuary for Sunday services, then raised most of the money to replace the church. Projects like Christmas Child, Salvation Army bell ringing and Thanksgiving dinners for Social Service recipients are done annually and involve hundreds of members. Timberlake regularly sends mission teams to Mexico, Jamaica, to areas of Southeast Asia affected by the tsunami, and to the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast. Timberlake also offers cooperative parish ministry resources to two local United Methodist churches.

Timberlake built a new sanctuary to accomodate growth. A large and active children and youth program is attractive to newcomers in the community.

Timberlake’s symbol is the lighthouse, and its mission statement is "A light to guide you safely home." This year their charge conference was done as the "Lighthouse Awards" show, complete with the red carpet treatment.

The church offers four services, and worship attendance has doubled in seven years. Rev. Davies’ preaching series are carefully planned, and topics incorporated in small group study. The Rev. Peter Jung, pastor for international ministries, leads an additional Sunday service in Spanish for the Latino community.

Timberlake UMC

Meals are another element in the church’s success. Just about every event held at the church involves food, and on Sunday mornings a full breakfast is offered at the church’s "Breakfast Cafe."