Pastoral Update 5:2025

Written By Jay Denton

Good afternoon from the Cargo District!

Every few months I (Jay) send a pastoral email to members, regular attenders, and visitors at Downtown Pres. Our hope is that these little updates can let you know some things we are thankful for at the church as well as offer some great resources for growing in the grace of Jesus. If you don’t get these in your email and want to, send an email to welcome@downtownpresilm.org and ask to be added to the Pastoral Update List!

1. Welcoming Phil Antonecchia as our Discipleship Director - We are so thankful to have Phil on our staff team effective July 1. While he is serving in a limited capacity in hours (he still works a day job!), we are confident that he is uniquely gifted to bless our church in this season of growth. Starting this Fall you will see him preach a few times, lead some seminars and classes, and serve on Sundays in worship in various ways. Praise the Lord!

2. Great Resources for Parenting and Marriage - Whether you are married or not, have kids or not, I wanted to offer some resources from Dr. John Cox - a therapist and speaker. Bet and I have been extremely blessed by his teaching in our own relationship and in our parenting. 

3. New in the Cargo District - Shepherd BBQ is a new restaurant in the Cargo West Food Hall right outside the main entrance to Azalea Station (where you enter for church). Brandon and Elizabeth are food service veterans and some of the kindest people I have met. So far the chopped brisket sandwich is my favorite with the smoked turkey not to far behind! This Thursday (07/17) starting at 5pm (come when you can!) we will be in the Green Space by Alcove Beer Garden for a church wide dinner. Might be a great time to try out this BBQ!

4. New Budget Year - As of July 1 our church entered into a new budget year! Be on the lookout for our Annual State of DPC (one of my personal favorite events of the year)in early Fall. At the State of DPC we celebrate all that God has done, pray that he would continue to cultivate healthy growth in our hearts and community, and update on budget and plans for the next fiscal year.

Our budget increased modestly this year in the major buckets of staffing, some programing, and rent/building expenses as we have grown. If you are a regular at DPC this is a great time to check in on your giving. As always, we are always happy to talk about giving, budget, and finances - this is your church! Know that our finances are managed and we are accountable to a third party to ensure that every dollar that comes in and goes out is accounted for with the utmost integrity. We are so thankful to Auxilio Partners who faithfully oversees our finances. You can update your giving online or set up giving HERE!

5. New for Visitors - If you've been visiting this summer and have missed our visitor envelopes by the coffee and offering box, make sure to grab one next time you are at worship! We've got a card to help you get more information on DPC and a little book on prayer we'd love to bless you with.

In addition, we'd love to invite you to our next Visitor's Lunch on July 27th immediately following the service in Azalea Station. Lunch is provided and will last about 30 minutes. You will get to meet some of our staff, hear about our hope for Downtown Pres, and learn more about ways to get involved at our church! If you are a regular and want to invite/bring a friend to church with you that day, we'd love you to join us as well. Help us plan by signing up for lunch HERE.

6. Praying for You - One of the biggest blessings of my job is that I get to pray for our people. If you ever have a specific prayer request, I'd love for you to share it on our prayer request form. These request come only to me and I'll share with our staff at staff meetings to pray unless you ask me not to. 

We are less without each other,

Jay Denton
Lead Pastor
Downtown Pres ILM

Jay Denton
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Pastoral Update 4:2025