THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 22, 1995 TAG: 9506210185
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
WESTERN BRANCH Baptist Church on Old Myrtle Road is positioned for success at the intersection of two worlds.
This congregation has a 200-year history from which to draw wisdom and courage for its present ministry. Its rural setting among corn fields, a picturesque cemetery and wooded farmlands is just minutes from the bustling U.S. Route 460 corridor linking rural Suffolk to metropolitan Hampton Roads cities.
And its energetic congregation of more than 100 active members is eager to see growth coming to rural Suffolk and anxious to welcome newcomers to join in their worship.
``It's the best of all worlds,'' agreed the Rev. David M. Jendrey, who took over the reins of pastoral leadership at Western Branch on June 11. Jendrey, his wife Rhonda, and their three teenage sons moved to Suffolk from Warrenton, N.C., where Jendrey served as pastor of the Warren Plains Baptist Church for three years.
Jendrey was first attracted to Western Branch by its people. When interviewed by its Pulpit Committee, Jendrey liked what he heard. ``They seemed very warm and friendly with a strong desire to see church growth,'' Jendrey noted.
Further investigation revealed a growing area, with housing developments springing up within miles of the church and a congregation anxious to make a difference in their community. ``With a good age range among the congregation, lots of children, opportunities for growth, and a church that wanted to grow, I was convinced,'' Jendrey pointed out.
Jendrey sees his ministry style as people-oriented with an emphasis on caring and compassion. He plans to visit his members often and get to know them individually. He also plans to get involved in ministry within the community.
In the pulpit, Jendrey prefers expository preaching and plans to preach through biblical texts verse-by-verse.
``The church needs to know why they believe what they believe,'' he explained.
``Christianity should be ministry-oriented and our belief has to go beyond the walls of the church to affect our lives and then the lives of those around us,'' he continued.
Jendrey comes to Western Branch as both leader and learner. ``God's already been here at Western Branch,'' he said with a smile, ``and I want to see what he wants to do here.''
Jendrey sees his role as pastor as one of encouragement and support. ``I want to help the congregation do what they want to do - to get the programs together that they want to develop,'' he said.
Jendrey, now 38, traces his own spiritual conversion back to age 17 when his father died and he began asking serious questions about life and eternity. ``One night watching Billy Graham on TV, I found the answer to my questions,'' he said. ``That night I gave my heart to Jesus Christ.
``I prayed and said, `Lord, I'll do whatever you want and go wherever you want me to go','' Jendrey said. In 20 years, that decision has taken Jendrey through four years in the Air Force, mechanic and welding jobs, undergraduate and graduate degrees at Liberty University, ministry positions in various churches and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Now, as the new pastor of Western Branch Baptist, Jendrey admits his call and message remain the same. ``All I can do is share Jesus - that's what I'm here to do, and I'm excited about being in a church that wants to make an impact for Christ in their community.''
Apart from his pastoral ministry, Jendrey enjoys hunting and fishing with his sons. His wife Rhonda has worked in the public school system of North Carolina as a deaf interpreter and hopes to pursue that ministry in this area. Outside of church activities, the Jendreys enjoy camping and family outings.
For information about the church's ministries, call 539-6854. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
David Jendrey is pastor of Western Branch Baptist Church.
by CNB