By John Dewitt

Mari Wiles is the co-vocational pastor of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church, a congregation in rural Drewyville, Va. Along with serving Thomas Memorial Church, she is the Minister to the University and the Associate Dean of Students at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. 

“I’ve always loved the church, not always understood her, but always loved the church,” Wiles said. She filled in for Thomas Memorial regularly due to its lack of staff in its rural setting. “Most churches don’t have any staff, so if the pastor got sick on Saturday night, he would call me to fill in.”

Thomas Memorial Church asked Wiles to be their pastor after she filled in for Advent a couple of years ago. 

The church was founded in 1902 and has been a consistent presence in the congregation’s farming community. In 2014, Thomas Memorial Church voted to be a CBF congregation. “I think that’s pretty representative of rural America. People think independently and that’s what they thought represented who they are best.”

Wiles started her ministry at Thomas Memorial post-pandemic. Like many churches, membership had declined. “Since that time, God has been gracious and we tripled our attendance.” On Sunday, October 1, Wiles baptized seven people. “There’s a lot of energy and renewal… I think it’s because we’ve really tried to focus on loving and welcoming everyone who comes.” 

Wiles emphasized the importance of sermons that encourage the congregants not just to be the gathered church, but also to be the scattered church. 

Wiles also spoke about Thomas Memorial Church’s support of her ministry at Chowan University. “They have helped a lot of students. When I need to be out for a school responsibility, they always want me to ask a student to fill the pulpit.” The welcoming culture of Thomas Memorial Church encourages students with a “pulpit of grace.” The people at Thomas Memorial have shown up for their neighbors, students and beyond. “In tangible and intangible ways… I think that’s the Gospel.”

Wiles spoke about her newfound appreciation of co-vocational and bi-vocational pastors who have multiple roles for their ministries. “They’re not doing part-time pastoring.” She thinks it is important to train and equip people for bi and co-vocational ministry. “Many of our churches will decline to where they cannot pay for full-time pastors. We should have the next generation prepared so they can serve the churches well. We should change our mindset. You don’t have to have a large congregation with a large salary to be doing Kingdom work.” She wishes that others would be open to having co-vocational ministry experiences but understands that this is not feasible for many. 

Wiles refuses to use the descriptors “small” or “little” for Thomas Memorial. “That has changed the way I see the possibilities. There are so many things out of our control… You don’t have a ton of people moving here… but the people who are here and the faith, and their faith journey is just as important as those in a mega city church.” Wiles continued, “It’s a reality that there are more deer than people in our county, but that doesn’t mean our people aren’t on a journey.” 

When discussing the greatest challenges to her church, Wiles said, “The pandemic taught us that people either belong to church or they attend church…How do we build a bridge to people who didn’t feel connected or didn’t feel a part of the community?… We have tried to be very welcoming. It doesn’t matter why you were gone; we just want to welcome you back.” She insisted that this sentiment must be genuine. If it is not, people can get hurt. “Post-pandemic, people have so many stressors…” She sees the church’s ministry to the community as providing “a safe space of grace.”

Another challenge facing her congregation—and rural churches in general—is a healthy sense of self-esteem. Part of her ministry to the church and community is trying to help a congregation under 100 see their importance to the Kingdom. “If we look at the biblical stories, a lot of things happened with just a handful of people. We can’t keep comparing ourselves to something we are never going to be, but we can be powerful if we accept who we are.” 

Exciting things are happening at Thomas Memorial Church. A few months ago, they ran out of communion supplies. “I’m looking around and I can see the chair of deacons mouthing to me in the back ‘How many people are in here?’” The chair of deacons went to the kitchen and brought back more elements. “I have to believe God chuckled that day… it’s a delightful surprise when you have to refill the platter for the hungry people who come to the banquet.” 

When asked what gives Wiles hope for the future of her church, she said, “I believe God dreams a dream over this congregation. I believe God wants to birth something special from this ministry. I don’t know what that is, I don’t know what the timeline is, but I don’t have to… As long as God is there, there will be life.” 

This rural church, as Wiles stated, is a place that offers grace, loves boldly and welcomes all. The people in Drewyville, Va. are coming to Thomas Memorial Baptist Church, hungry for Christ.