If you're new to Asbury, here's how to jump right in.
Asbury Church isn't just a place to attend.
It's a mission to join.
About Us
We're committed to
"Loving Jesus Most and Discipling Families."
That's our mission statement, and it's what everything we do here is built around.
Drawn from Deuteronomy 6:5-9, it shapes how we worship, how we do community, and how we raise the next generation.
We're not trying to be the biggest church in Petal. We're trying to be the most faithful one.
We believe discipleship isn't a program you sign up for — it's a life you build. And over the years, we've found that the people who are most rooted here, most alive in their faith, and most connected to each other all have four things in common.
They worship consistently. They're in a Core Group. They're on a Serve Team. And they're doing the D659 Challenge.
That's our Discipleship Model.
It's not a checklist, but a set of guiding markers we're all aiming for as a body of believers striving toward the same mission.
The four sections below walk you through each one. Start wherever makes sense for where you are right now.
Ready to plug in and join our Every Member Mission?
Your Next Steps
02.
Get In a Core Group
Sunday morning is important, but it's not where you'll really get to know people. Core Groups are where that happens.
They're small groups of people who gather a few times every month to dig into the sermon, ask real questions, and do life together.
Groups meet in homes, restaurants, and sometimes here on campus, so there's usually something that fits your schedule and your season of life.
Every Core Group is guided by a host, someone who creates the space and keeps the conversation going.
You don't need to have it all figured out to show up. That's actually what makes Core Groups so impactful. Everyone gets to figure it out together.
03.
Join a Serve Team
There's a serve team for every kind of person here at Asbury. Whether you're great with kids, show up when things get hard, love to cook or show hospitality, or you're really handy at fixing things – whatever your good at, there's a team that you can do it with for the glory of God!
From our Welcome Team and AC Kids & Nursery to our Prayer & Care Team, Schools Team, Facilities Team, and more, every Serve Team shares the same mission.
04.
Take the Challenge
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 paints a picture of what it looks like to love God with everything you have and pass that on to the people around you.
The D659 Challenge is our attempt to actually live that out, not just believe it.
Each week, there's a focus scripture to read and a memory verse to write every day. It's the same scripture Pastor Brian will be teaching from on the upcoming Sunday.
So it's really a rhythm of everyone in the church being in one accord and studying the passage in preparation for the teaching on Sunday.
It's not a complicated challenge. It's just a consistent rhythm that, over time, changes the way you study the word and see God through it.
This week's challenge is always available at the button below, so you can pick it right up and join us at any time.
Questions You Might Have
Got questions? You're not the only one. Here are a few things people usually want to know when they're new to the church.
Becoming a member at Asbury is simply the next step in making this your church home — and we'd love nothing more than to welcome you into the family. Membership is our way of saying, "We're committed to doing life together."
To get started, just reach out to Pastor Brian or Kristin in the church office at 601-545-3006. They'll walk you through everything and answer any questions you have along the way. There's no pressure, just a simple conversation about what this next step looks like for you.
Baptism is one of the most meaningful moments you'll ever experience in your faith journey, and we consider it a privilege to walk through it with you.
Whether you were just recently introduced to faith or you've been a believer for years and are finally ready to take this step, we would love to support you.
To learn more or get the process started, contact Pastor Brian or Kristin at the church office (601-545-3006).
They'd love to hear your story and help you take this next step in your journey.If you're planning your first visit to Asbury, don't feel like you have to overly prepare in advance. Our intention is for your first Sunday to feel easy and welcoming.
You can dress however you're comfortable. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so we can greet you, learn your name, point you towards coffee and snacks, and help you find a seat.
Our service typically runs a little over an hour and includes worship music, a message rooted in Scripture, and time to connect with others. If you have kids, we've got them covered too, see below!
We hope you leave feeling at home.
Absolutely — your kids are just as welcome here as you are.
We have a nursery and Children's Church for infants up to children in fourth grade. We all start service together, have song and worship, and then the children are dismissed to go to the nursery and Children's Church during the sermon. This allows your little ones to get something designed just for them while you continue worship through the word of God.
Our volunteers are kind, patient, and prepared to engage your children with activities, snacks, and the attention they need. You can drop them off with confidence and actually be present during the service. Just head to the kids check-in area when you first arrive and get enter their information to register them as a new attendee.
Just show up — that's truly all!
Core Groups are small gatherings where real community happens: honest conversations, occasional shared meals, and people doing life together beyond Sunday mornings.
For your first meeting, there's nothing to prepare and nothing to bring (unless someone specifically asks you to). During Core Group meetings, we usually work through discussion questions that Pastor Brian shares based on the previous week's Scripture focus — but your group leader will point you toward those ahead of time if you want to come ready to jump in.
Other than that, come ready to meet some genuinely good people, and give it a couple of visits before you decide if it's the right fit. Community takes a little time to take root — but that's kind of the whole point.
When you submit a request to serve, a leader from that Serve team will follow up with you personally — usually within 3-4 days.
They'll share a little more about the team you're interested in, answer any questions, and let you know what the next step looks like.
Most teams have a simple orientation or shadowing period so you can get a feel for things before fully jumping in. There's a place for your gifts here, and we're grateful you want to use them!
The D659 Challenge isn't a sprint, it's an ongoing commitment to Scripture that we're taking together as one church body.
We've been on this journey together for over a year, and it's something you can step into right where you are, no prior experience needed. Many people have found it genuinely life-changing.
If you have questions or want encouragement along the way, your Core Group leader is a great person to reach out to.
Start Here
Resources
Office Hours
Mon - Thurs - 8 am - 4 pm
Friday - 8 am - 12 noon
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed