History
 

In the summer of 1995, a group of 25 to 30 United Methodists started meeting together every other week for potlucks and discussions about starting a new United Methodist church in Petal.  The youth met together weekly in a home for Bible study.

The first worship service of 56 people was January 7, 1996 with retired Rev. Homer Peden administering communion.  At the time, this group was referred to as Petal's Newest United Methodist Church, meeting together each Sunday morning in various community centers with a variety of ministers and lay preachers.

Rev. Shane Stanford was officially assigned to the church in June; and Asbury was chartered on September 8, 1996.  The congregation soon outgrew the Magnolia Room of the Civic Center and started meeting in the large room for Sunday services while Pastor Shane's office was on Morris Street and the Wednesday night Bible studies were in Petal Middle School's library.  Building committees were formed, and a campus-plan was chosen for Asbury to be built on the Hwy. 42 Methodist property.

December 21, 1997, Asbury met for the first worship service in the new multi-purpose building, and church offices were set up in the smaller building.  By December, 1999, the Children's building was built and dedicated.  In Spring 2005, our Student Center was opened for use as a gathering place for youth and college-aged students.  It features state of the art audio and video technology and a coffee-house atmosphere. 

In February 2005, Asbury said farewell to founding pastor Shane Stanford and welcomed Rev. Andy Johnson and his family.  Under Pastor Andy's guidance, Asbury weathered a little hurricane name Katrina.  Following the storm, the church worked together to remodel the damaged sanctuary and rebuild the church and the community.  In July 2007, Rev. Jason Harms and his family joined the church.

Today, Asbury continues to grow in numbers and spirit.  Lively and engaging worship is the core of Asbury’s life together.  We believe that our rich Christian tradition blended with new forms of music open the way to a deep experience of worship and lead us into the world to serve in the name of Jesus.  Children and Youth are a major part of Asbury’s ministry, comprising over one third of our worship attendance.  

You are invited to join us for worship at Asbury as we live into our call to be Salt and Light in the world...