Statesboro First United Methodist Church (SFUMC) is pleased to announce the arrival of its new Senior Pastor, Reverend Mark Burgess. Burgess has been a United Methodist Pastor for the past 23 years, with his most recent appointment at Dunwoody United Methodist Church in Atlanta.
“I am thrilled to be here at Statesboro First United Methodist Church,” Burgess said. “I am a second career pastor, which means I had a career prior to following my heart and becoming a minister. In the brief time that my wife Shannon and I have been in Statesboro, we are amazed at what a wonderful community of faith Statesboro is, and look very much forward to leading SFUMC into its next chapter.”
A native of South Dakota, Burgess has an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering. His career prior to ministry included building and leading multi-discipline technology teams with international responsibilities within the chemical industry. In early 2000, God called Burgess into the ministry, and he subsequently graduated from the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta with a Master of Divinity. He is an ordained Elder.
“Statesboro First is very blessed to have a pastor such as Mark to lead us forward,” said Tal Johnson, Chairman of the church’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee. “He is wonderful in so many ways, not the least of which is his ability to connect with everyone in the church, regardless of age or background. He and Shannon are both tremendous, Christian leaders, and we are thrilled that they are here.”
Established in 1886, the original church was a white frame building with a steeple. In the fall of 1959, the first service was held in the present Gothic building designed around the three-part plan of the Biblical Temple in Jerusalem. The church is located at 101 South Main Street in Statesboro.
During his ministerial career, Burgess has served as the sole pastor, senior pastor, or lead pastor for small, medium, and large churches throughout Georgia watching the Methodist denomination evolve over the years.
“It is not a secret that the United Methodist Church has most recently undergone a fundamental change within some of its core beliefs, but what has not changed is the love the church has for everyone, and its core mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ,” Burgess said. “ We are a ‘big-tent’ denomination, and I look forward to continuing and building on the church’s core mission here in Statesboro for the next several years, until I retire.”
An excellent story teller, Burgess said his calling is to lead people into a deeper relationship with God through the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. If you would like to hear his personal faith story, you are invited to SFUMC’s Wednesday Night Dinner on August 14 by making reservations at statesborofirst.com.
If you choose to simply hear his faith story, just come directly to the church’s main Sanctuary at 6pm on August 14. The community is welcome to both. This will be a wonderful way to get to know the Burgesses and experience them, their faith, and their Christ-centered joy.
The Burgesses have made their home in the church’s parsonage in Statesboro. They have two grown children, Katie and Jacob.
