An Unapologetically
Jesus-Centered,
Inclusive Church
A New Church in Leland, NC
Worship at 10am on Sundays
at Town Creek Middle School
Launch Service on October 4th, 2026
Unapologetically Jesus-Centered
We see everything through the person of Jesus: his life, teachings, death, and resurrection. We believe that when we look at Jesus, we can look beyond the categories offered by our world and into new possibilities.
Inclusive
We believe that inclusivity is more than a buzzword: it is the way of Jesus. We strive to be a community where all people– regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, political persuasion, or socioeconomic status– can flourish. LGBTQ people are joyfully welcomed to participate in every aspect of church life and leadership. All people seeking a closer relationship with Jesus are welcome to receive Holy Communion in the United Methodist Church.
Relationships First
Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, and love requires a relationship! We believe that the church should be a place where people who might not usually interact can become good friends, so we seek to build meaningful relationships with people of different ages, backgrounds, and beliefs.
Our mission is simple: we exist to help all people see Jesus
Our Central Story
Our central story here at the Grove—and the inspiration behind our name—is the story of a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who took advantage of his neighbors to make himself rich. He was wealthy, but he was also a social outcast with few friends and many enemies. When he heard that Jesus was coming to town, he wanted to see him, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view.
When Jesus saw him, he called him by name and invited him to dinner. That experience changed Zacchaeus' life forever. He repaid everyone he had cheated and gave away half of his possessions to the poor!
We want to be a sycamore tree for Leland- we want to help people see Jesus. We know there might be a lot blocking your view. Maybe you’ve been hurt by the church before. Maybe you have questions about faith you’ve never been allowed to ask. Whoever you are and wherever you’re coming from, we want to help you see Jesus.
What does The Grove UMC look like?
Worship
Join us for worship every Sunday at 10am at Town Creek Middle School. Our worship experience is rooted in tradition but presented with fresh energy. Expect inspiring music, preaching that helps you apply Jesus' teachings in your life today, and Holy Communion every week. Kids are always welcome and fully included in the service alongside their families, there's no separate program to find, just come as you are.
Community Events
Want to connect outside of Sunday morning? We're organizing community events across Leland throughout the year. These casual gatherings are a chance to meet others who are interested in a Jesus-centered, inclusive church and to learn more about the vision of The Grove UMC.
Launch Team
Want to go deeper? Come to a Launch Team meeting! This leadership group will play a crucial role in launching the Grove UMC through attendance, invitations, and hands-on support. Our meetings are two hours: we spend the first hour studying a Bible passage, and the second hour planning and preparing for upcoming events. We invite you to join us and learn about the vision for the church and how you can be part of this exciting journey!
Discover a Welcoming Community and Inspiring Worship at The Grove United Methodist Church
Where are you located?
We are a church for Leland, North Carolina. We don't yet have a permanent building, so we gather for Sunday worship at Town Creek Middle School in southwest Leland. Right now, the Grove UMC exists both in that Sunday gathering and wherever our people are throughout the week.
Are LGBTQ people welcome here?
At the Grove, we celebrate and affirm all aspects of who God created you to be. We believe in transparency—there’s no bait and switch and no limitations on leadership. We fully embrace and celebrate our LGBTQ siblings in all aspects of church life and leadership. We believe our worship and witness is richer and more complete when you are here!
Do you have a weekly worship service?
Yes! Join us every Sunday at 10am at Town Creek Middle School. Want to connect beyond Sunday morning? Join us for community events across Leland to meet others interested in a Jesus-centered, inclusive church and learn more about The Grove UMC's vision. Want to go deeper? Come to a Launch Team meeting. In these two-hour sessions, we spend the first hour studying a Bible passage and the second hour planning and preparing for upcoming events. We invite you to join us and be part of this exciting journey!
What does the United Methodist Church believe?
Methodism began on a college campus as a revival movement within the Church of England. At the Grove, we live out that legacy by following Jesus using our hearts, our heads, and our hands. We seek to connect with God through passionate worship that helps us experience God’s grace and love. We will never ask you to check your questions at the door- we believe God gave us our brains for a reason and wants us to use them! Our personal faith motivates us to make a positive impact in the public sphere through acts of service and a commitment to social justice. You can learn more about our beliefs, mission, and organization using this resource.
Follow Along with The Grove on Social Media
Since we're a brand-new church plant, social media is where it's all happening right now!
We're hosting events all over Leland in addition to Sunday Morning worship at Town Creek Middle School, and the best way to keep up with what's next, where we're meeting, and how to get involved is to follow along online. Give us a follow so you never miss an event, a launch update, or a chance to connect. We can't wait to see you there!