From left: Rev. Adam Rush, pastor of Mayfield First UMC; Bishop David Graves, Episcopal Leader of the TWK Conference; Rev. Nancy Johnston Varden, Purchase District Superintendent; and Rev. Dr. Joey Reed, Associate Pastor of Collierville UMC (former pastor of Mayfield First UMC). Photo by Tyler Sprouse.
By Tyler Sprouse, TWK Communications Specialist
After the violent tornado in December 2021 that devastated much of Western Kentucky, the Mayfield First UMC’s 100-year-old building in Mayfield, KY was destroyed. Then pastor, Rev. Joey Reed, survived the horrific storm with his wife in a basement closet of the church.
Members of the Mayfield First UMC Building Committee stand with TWK Conference leaders as they break ground on the site of the new Mayfield First UMC building. Photo by Tyler Sprouse.
“I realized it might be my last few moments of my life,” Rev. Reed told reporters in 2021.
Now, nearly three years later, the Mayfield First UMC congregation is beginning a new chapter in its rebuilding journey.
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Bishop David Graves, conference leaders, representatives from United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the Mayfield First UMC congregation, and other community members gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of Mayfield First UMC’s future church building.
In his remarks, Bishop Graves acknowledged the community’s resilience and bore witness to the faithfulness of God.
“After the storm, the eyes of the nation turned to Mayfield,” said Bishop Graves. “The devastation was unbelievable. But today is a testament to what we read in Romans [8:28]: ‘All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.’”
Mayfield First UMC members break ground during Sunday’s ceremony. Photo by Tyler Sprouse.
Bishop Graves recounted the response of the conferences he served in his prior episcopal assignment as an example of the UMC’s connectionalism, which helped catalyze the recovery process at Mayfield First.
“In the Alabama-West Florida Conference, our congregational development team and the cabinet came together and decided to send $100,000 to Mayfield First,” said Bishop Graves. “Churches throughout the conference donated an additional $100,000. Folks within the South Georgia Conference were also engaged in recovery efforts.
“That money came from other United Methodists,” continued Bishop Graves. “We are here today thanks in part to the connection that exists in the United Methodist Church.”
During Sunday’s ceremony, the architects leading the construction of the new building led community members through a virtual tour of the future Mayfield First UMC. The new structure will feature a large fellowship hall and will allow the congregation to create connections with the neighboring community.
At this time, there is no projected date of completion. Mayfield First will continue sharing space with nearby Christ UMC, which took in the congregation after the December storm.
Bishop David Graves speaks during the groundbreaking service. Photo by Tyler Sprouse.
“This is not the finish line; it is just the beginning,” said Mayfield First UMC Senior Pastor, Rev. Adam Rush. “This glorious day marks a new chapter in our journey.”
As the Mayfield First UMC Board of Trustees Chair, Mitzi Guhy, introduced the building committee before they broke ground, she spoke to the congregation’s generous spirit.
“There is so much joy right now because of the way we came together to make this possible,” said Guhy. “Today is truly an answer to prayer.”
Local media coverage: Mayfield First UMC Groundbreaking Ceremony.
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