About Asbury

Who We Are

We are a growing family awakening to God and living on mission.

Tommy Gray Asbury Church in Madison, AL
Tommy Gray Asbury Church in Madison, AL

Our History

In 1986, a little warehouse on Patton Road in Madison, Alabama, became the first home of Asbury United Methodist Church. Led by founding pastor Marcus Long, Asbury was the first United Methodist Church organized in the Madison community in more than 100 years.

 

As the city of Madison grew, so did Asbury, becoming one of the fastest-growing churches in the South. A contemporary service was soon added to the traditional service, and under Dr. Alan Weatherly’s compassionate leadership, people from across the community were drawn to Asbury by what God was doing through this family of faith. Asbury became known in the community as a place where people could experience care, community, and the love of God.

Multiplying for the Future

Asbury continued to grow as more people encountered God through multiple styles of worship, vibrant kids and student ministries, and Bible studies. Grounded in prayer and sent on mission, the Asbury family built on the strength of our past as we sought to love God and love our neighbor. What began in a little warehouse multiplied into a place of transformation and has since grown into a multi-site church under the leadership of Dr. Tommy Gray, who joined Asbury as an associate pastor in 2012. In 2017, Asbury established its Harvest campus by coming alongside the former Crosswinds Church to continue reaching our neighbors.

 

When Dr. Tommy Gray became lead pastor in 2018, Asbury offered five Sunday morning services across its Traditional, Contemporary, and Harvest worship communities. The church’s online ministry also continued to grow, beginning with live-streamed Contemporary services and expanding to include an online Mobile worship experience in 2020.

 

A Contagious Legacy

As we live out our vision of being a growing family awakening to God and living on mission, we celebrate seeing people of all generations build authentic relationships, love their neighbors, and serve our community and the world.

 

Building on more than 40 years of God’s faithfulness, we look to the future with a commitment to live generously and join God in His work. We pray for spiritual awakening in marriages and families, throughout our communities, and beyond. By faithfully following where God leads, we hope to leave a legacy of transformed lives that inspires generations to come to know, love, and follow Jesus.

Our Vision

We believe our vision of being a growing family awakening to God and living on mission is best lived out through three key ways of life.

REAL LIFE WITH EACH OTHER

Real life is found in a community of healthy relationships. As we encourage one another to grow through honest and authentic conversations, families can flourish. We desire to care for each other well as we pursue forgiveness and healing and celebrate the ways God is at work in our lives.

FULL LIFE WITH GOD

Full life is found when we invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives. He promises an abundant life that is far greater than anything we could hope for or imagine. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, there is always more to discover as we awaken to the fullness of God.

KINGDOM LIFE ON EARTH

Kingdom life isn’t just for eternity—we are called to bring God’s kingdom to earth and participate in His work in the world. While we live between the perfection of God’s original creation and His ultimate restoration, we are committed to sharing the hope we have in Him with our city and the nations.

Our Legacy

 

 

1986 - Asbury United Methodist Church was launched on March 2, 1986, when 361 people gathered in a warehouse under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Marcus Long.

 

1997 - Dr. Alan Weatherly began his 21-year tenure as senior pastor. During his leadership, the church grew to an average attendance of 2,200, with more than 1,200 baptisms and more than 1,500 professions of faith.

 

2018 to Today - Under the leadership of Dr. Tommy Gray, Asbury continues to build upon its rich heritage as a church family committed to following God wherever He leads, loving people like Jesus, and reaching our neighbors next door and around the world.

 

 

 

Senior Pastors Legacy Asbury Church in Madison, AL

Our Beliefs

Throughout the Bible, core teachings emerge that provide a foundation for the body of Christ. The central teaching of Scripture is the love of God, most clearly revealed through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for the world. All of our core beliefs flow from the truth that Jesus is the resurrected Savior and that He will come again.

What do you believe about God?

Who is God the Father?

Who is Jesus Christ?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

What do you believe about the Bible?

What is salvation?

What is baptism?

What is communion?

What is my purpose?

What is purpose of the Church?

ECFA Accredited at Asbury Church in Madison, AL
Tommy Gray Asbury Church in Madison, AL

Responsible Stewardship

ECFA

Asbury is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), an accrediting organization that is dedicated to helping Christian ministries and churches uphold high standards of responsible stewardship.  For more information, visit ECFA.church

We are a growing family awakening to God and living on mission.