The Wesleyan Covenant Association is pleased to announce that the Rev. Erik Grayson, Pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina, will address its Sixth Global Gathering – More Than Conquerors – in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
“Erik’s passion for Christ’s church and its people is always evident in his leadership, his hands on service in the local church and community, and in his writing,” said the Rev. Keith Boyette, WCA President. “He’s a working-person’s theologian, a pastor simultaneously steeped in Scripture and the traditions of the church, and one who takes the Gospel into the world in both word and deed.”
Grayson will take as his text for his presentation the great Isaiah passage on exile, redemption, and restoration (Isaiah 40.1-11).
A graduate of the University of South Carolina (Columbia), Grayson double majored in Religious Studies and History for his Bachelor of Arts in 2011. In 2014, after receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School (Durham, North Carolina), he immediately assumed the role of pastor in charge at Aldersgate UM Church. Ordained an elder in 2016, Grayson recently learned he has been appointed to serve at Lyman UM Church, in Lyman, South Carolina, beginning in July 2022.
Recognizing his leadership skills and passion for serving others, Grayson was tapped to lead the WCA Task Force on Missions with Marginalized Peoples. In the South Carolina Annual Conference he has chaired both the district committees on connectional ministries and congregational development. He also serves as a board member of the Charleston Wesley Foundation.
During his tenure at Aldersgate UM Church Grayson led the congregation in the creation of a missions non-profit called Holy City Missions, that is now pursuing the establishment of a $4 million missions campus and year-round shelter for marginalized people. He also spearheaded the creation of a summer day camp program to provide affordable childcare, and to daily share Jesus with the campers.
“Erik is a one of many young clergy committed to Scripture, orthodoxy, and the warm-hearted, Wesleyan expression of the Christian faith,” said the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Moore, Chairwoman of the WCA’s Global Council and Lead Pastor at Mosaic Church in Evans, Georgia. “For people who take a pessimistic view of the church’s future, they’ll find encouragement and hope in Erik Grayson! We need to hear and listen to young clergy like Erik; I’m thrilled he’ll be with us in Indiana for More Than Conquerors!”
The Sixth Global Gathering will be held at Kingsway Christian Church with seating for 1,260 people. People wanting to attend the gathering at the host site should register as soon as possible. In addition to the host site there will be numerous simulcast sites across the United States where people can also participate in the WCA’s Sixth Global Gathering.
To learn much more about the gathering and to register to attend, visit More Than Conquerors online.