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Matthew Pope, originally from Shelby, wasn’t raised in the Methodist Church, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t the perfect choice for Wallace Methodist Church’s new pastor.
“I was raised Southern Baptist,” Pope told Duplin Journal. “I grew up in a Christian home and we attended church as much as possible.”
Pope said he had his “conversion moment” as a senior in high school, and went on to study theology at Belmont Abbey College, before attending seminary at Baptist Theological Seminary. Although he grew up Baptist and went to seminary at Baptist Theological Seminary, he said he was ordained by the Evangelical Association, a non-denominational entity.
“So what happened was when I began to preach and become an associate pastor, it really made me realize that God can use me anywhere, with any type of people,” he explained.
After college and after living in a couple of different places and growing his faith, Pope ironically moved to Faith, NC, a town just outside of Salisbury, to be closer to his parents.
“So they had started attending a church there, Mount Hope Church, and I got involved pretty much as soon as I moved back,” Pope recalled. “I got involved, joined right away, and my pastor at the time, my mentor, Dr. Johnny Boggs … We worked together and we had what we call an agreement of the spirit.”
After preaching his first on-stage sermon at his parents’ church, Pope began a sermon series on Sunday nights. Other area churches became aware of him, and he had several ongoing arrangements as guest pastor, followed by a 90-day pastorate with Center Grove Church, in Midland. At the same time, he was submitting resumes to churches all over the state — including Wallace Methodist. “I just happened to make contact with this church,” he said, “and they got back with me right away. Immediately from there, we found this spiritual agreement. They said, ‘we’re looking for a pastor’ and I said, ‘I’m looking for a church,’ and we just kind of matched. God’s plan, God’s hands, we just matched completely. The rest is history, and I’m here.”
He officially joined the church as pastor on May 26, though he’d preached several trial sermons beforehand.
And as far as not having grown up or preached in strictly Methodist churches, Pope said that he was actually drawn to Wallace because it’s an independent Methodist church. “I have a heart for Methodist churches coming out of that disaffiliation process, because there’s a lot of churches that were hurt,” he said. “I think forcibly, they were closed. So you had, in a sense, a denomination that was closing churches rather than helping them and keeping them afloat, which was counterintuitive, theologically and practically.”
Having lived in Wilmington previously and having extended family there, Pope said he was drawn to the coastal area. “I saw that it was an independent Methodist church, which was really attractive to me, and I obviously had a prior history with those kinds of churches,” he said. “And then it was honestly, after making that connection and talking with them, it was just the hospitality. They’re so welcoming and accommodating. Since being installed, I’ve seen that over and over again. It’s just the kindness that made me understand that God was working all those things for good.”
Pope moved to Wallace, just four blocks away from the church, which is located on College Street. He said he loves the small town feel of Wallace. “Everyone knows each other, and in some way, we’re all connected,” he said. “As a pastor, that’s been super awesome, because … it allows me to minister more effectively.”
As for Wallace Methodist’s future under his tenure as pastor, Pope said a big priority is attracting children and younger people. The church is looking at Vacation Bible School options, and will host an art camp next month.
“One of the biggest things for this church in my mind is visibility, getting us out in the community,” he said. “We want to be an invitational church. We want people to come, learn about the Word and feel encouraged when they leave. And empowered, too.”
