A Place Where You Belong on South Holden Road
Christ Wesleyan Church sits on South Holden Road on the south side of Greensboro, North Carolina, in a part of the city the congregation describes as one of the most culturally rich areas of the Triad. The church calls itself a multigenerational, missional family, and the language is deliberate: members come from different backgrounds, races, ages, and walks of life, and the church's life is built around the conviction that those differences are part of the picture, not a problem to be solved.
The motto on the front of the building says it plainly: Go. Make Disciples. Love. Together. Everything from the Sunday service to the Tuesday outreach on the same property flows out of that single sentence.
Sundays at 10:30: What a First-Time Guest Will Find
Worship gathers at 10:30 a.m. and runs about 75 minutes. Greeters are in the parking lot to help with directions, kids check-in, and finding a seat, so arriving ten to fifteen minutes early makes the morning easy. The dress code is whatever the guest feels comfortable in, jeans and a T-shirt, business casual, or anything in between, and no one is singled out or put on the spot.
The service opens with a live band that mixes modern worship songs with meaningful classics, with lyrics on screen so visitors can sing along or simply listen. One of the pastors then preaches a message described as real, honest, and centered on hope, drawn from passages of Scripture and aimed at practical topics like parenting, relationships, and finding purpose. The room is intentionally casual and the community is intentionally diverse, and the goal is for anyone who walks in to feel they can take the morning at their own pace.
Children from birth through fifth grade have their own space during the service through CWC Kids, a safe and engaging environment where volunteers lead age-appropriate teaching, games, music, and small-group time. Middle and high school students meet on Sunday evenings through CWC Students, with small groups, mentoring, and time with leaders.
The Three Greats: Commandment, Commission, Collaboration
Christ Wesleyan organizes its mission around three biblical anchors it calls the Three Greats.
The Great Commandment, drawn from Matthew 22 and Mark 12, is the call to love God and love neighbor. The church calls this dimension Great Community and treats it as the relational core of the congregation. Small groups, shared meals, mentoring, and everyday friendships are where this command is worked out.
The Great Commission, drawn from Matthew 28, is the call to make disciples of all nations. Christ Wesleyan frames disciple-making as learning what Jesus taught, why it matters, and how to follow Him with one's whole life, from the first step of faith through baptism and into a lifetime of growth and leadership.
The Great Collaboration, drawn from John 17, is the prayer of Jesus that His followers would be one as He and the Father are one. The church reads this as a call to serve together across backgrounds, ages, and experiences, and it is the engine behind the Hope Center, SWAT, and the congregation's partnerships with organizations across Greensboro.
Core Values: From Prayer to Racial Reconciliation
Beneath the Three Greats sits a set of core values that shape how the church lives out its mission week by week.
Intentional Prayer is the foundation. The congregation seeks God's direction through Spirit-led prayer for families, the community, and the world, and anyone from a curious newcomer to a lifelong believer is welcomed into that practice.
Hospitality is treated as more than a smile at the door. From the parking lot to the coffee table, the goal is for every visitor to feel seen, valued, and free to ask questions and explore faith without pressure.
Equipping and Sending Leaders is the conviction that every follower of Jesus is a leader in the making. The church invests in people of every age to lead with wisdom, character, and faith in their homes, workplaces, and the church itself.
Disciple Making shows up in small groups and one-on-one mentoring, with the goal of spiritual growth that transforms lives, homes, and neighborhoods.
Biblical Justice is the church's commitment to addressing real issues like poverty, inequality, and injustice with grace and truth, advocating for the vulnerable and standing with the oppressed in the local community.
Generosity is the conviction that everyone has something to offer, whether through financial giving, time, or talents, and that those gifts fuel the church's ministries and its reach into Greensboro and beyond.
Loving Our Community is the simple promise to show up for neighbors in practical ways, especially families and individuals looking for hope and connection.
Local and Global Missions pairs Greensboro-focused outreach with support for work around the world, so the mission begins in the neighborhoods near the church and continues far beyond them.
Reconciliation is the conviction that, in a city and a nation divided by race, politics, and pain, the church should lead with healing. The congregation takes that calling seriously through honest conversation, shared worship, and life together across cultural lines.
Beliefs in Their Own Words
Christ Wesleyan belongs to The Wesleyan Church and is part of the denomination's NC East District. The congregation summarizes its teaching under six core beliefs.
Biblical Authority: the Bible is God's holy Word, uniquely and infallibly revealing His plan for His people and how to live it out individually and as a church.
Christlikeness: Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God's will and relationship with humanity; in Christ is found both newness of life and the highest example of godliness, as the source of faith, hope, and love for the inner life and outward action in a world desperate for hope.
Disciplemakers: making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ and requires a strong missional focus on evangelism and training in spiritual growth and holy living, producing and promoting health in and among churches.
Local Church Centered: the denomination exists to help local congregations grow and multiply, be healthier, and more authentically reflect God's plan. Local churches are the most fundamental and strategic points of evangelism and discipleship.
Servant Leadership: Wesleyans respect the leadership placed over them while understanding that spiritual leadership's authority and effectiveness is earned and is characterized by a loving, willing heart of obedience that serves God and people gladly.
Unity in Diversity: there is intrinsic value in every person, and biblical unity becomes more beautiful in light of wide-ranging differences in personality, culture, race, language, talent, and perspective.
The church has also published denominational position statements on the sanctity of life, domestic violence, gender identity and expression, racial reconciliation, refugees, poverty, women in ministry, creation care, and immigration, treating each with both biblical conviction and compassion.
House Groups: From the Rows to the Circles
The fastest way into the life of the church, by the church's own description, is a House Group. The name is a nod to Acts 2:46, where the early believers met in homes, broke bread together, and shared their lives with glad and sincere hearts. Christ Wesleyan's House Groups are weekly gatherings of roughly eight to twelve people that meet in homes, in cafés, or at the church, organized around a topic, a stage of life, or a way of serving together.
Table Talk, the church's discussion-based Bible study, walks through books of the Bible and various topics in a conversational style led by one of the church's leaders. It is held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel, with a Zoom option for those who join remotely. No sign-up is required.
The Weekly Prayer meeting runs three mornings a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 a.m. via Zoom, hosted by a rotating set of leaders and open to anyone who wants to share praise reports and prayer requests while having breakfast, commuting, or working out.
For those ready to commit, the four-session Belonging Class meets on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. on a quarterly basis. It covers the story of Christ Wesleyan, the Wesleyan denomination, and a personal gifts assessment designed to help new members find where to serve. Membership opens the door to deeper leadership and shared responsibility in the life of the church.
The Discover CWC gathering is a short, welcoming 15-to-20-minute class held on the first Sunday of each month right after the worship service in the chapel. It is designed for new guests who want a low-pressure introduction to the vision, mission, and values of the church.
CWC Kids: Birth Through Fifth Grade
CWC Kids serves children from eight weeks old through fifth grade during the Sunday service. The ministry is built around three movements: Discover, where young children learn the basics of who God is through activities, songs, and small groups; Encounter, where volunteers and staff build intentional mentoring relationships so children experience the love of God through real people; and Believe, where every activity, song, event, and relationship is geared to reveal the love and lifestyle of Jesus Christ so children accept and believe in Christ.
The preschool group introduces God's character through play, music, and simple truths. Elementary-aged students experience age-appropriate teaching, games, and group time that help them explore the Bible, understand Jesus' power, and experience community. Summer camp is offered through Victory Mountain Camp's kids program.
CWC Students: Middle and High School
CWC Students gathers middle and high schoolers (sixth through twelfth grade) in a space the staff describes as welcoming and judgment-free. Students come as they are and find themselves seen, known, and loved by leaders and peers. Through fun events, small groups, and mentoring, students explore their identity in Christ, build strong friendships, and grow into a sense of calling. The student ministry also partners with Victory Mountain Camp for summer camp experiences.
Young Adults: Eighteen to Twenty-Five
The Young Adults ministry is built specifically for people who have aged out of youth ministry but do not want to feel out of place in a parents' group. The community gathers for those in college, working, or somewhere in between, meeting in homes, on local campuses, and at Christ Wesleyan. The goal is real friendships, spiritual growth, and discovering the next step of purpose.
Silver Servants: A Community for the Fifty-Five-and-Over
Silver Servants is the church's community for adults 55 and older who want to stay active in faith and fellowship. The group meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for topical Bible study, conversation, and connection. Regular outings, service projects, and ways to make a difference are built into the rhythm of the year. Singles and married, working and retired are all part of the group, and the staff describes it as a kind of youth group for seniors, with leaders walking members through tough and intimate discussions and a clear aim of helping each person know Christ's love and His call to discipleship.
The Hope Center: Tuesday Hospitality on Holden Road
The Hope Center at Christ Wesleyan is the church's flagship outreach into the city. Founded in May 2021, it opened its doors to provide food, showers, laundry, and social support for individuals experiencing homelessness or financial hardship in Greensboro. The Hope Center now operates on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the church's building.
Each Tuesday, guests receive a fresh, home-cooked meal prepared by volunteers and a chance to rest and connect. The center runs two washers and two dryers during open hours, with detergent provided, so guests can do laundry on site. The volunteers also deliver meals to nearby camps and encampments across Greensboro for those who cannot make it to the building.
Free hygiene kits include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, deodorant, and other essentials. Gently used clothing is restocked year-round, warm coats in winter, socks and shorts in summer, basic everyday wear in between, thanks to community donations. The center connects guests with onsite representatives and partner organizations that provide housing support, mental health services, addiction recovery, veteran care, employment assistance, legal aid, and more. No ID or paperwork is required, in keeping with the center's commitment to reducing barriers to care.
Volunteers are welcome to help with hospitality, meal prep, and community support, and donations can be made through an Amazon Wish List that ships directly to the church. Financial gifts can be given online or by check made out to Christ Wesleyan Church with Hope Center in the memo line and mailed to 2400 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407.
SWAT: Servants With a Tool
SWAT, standing for Servants With A Tool, is a hands-on outreach ministry of the church that provides practical help through construction, painting, cleaning, landscaping, organizing, and home repairs. SWAT serves individuals and families inside the church and across the greater Greensboro community who may lack the resources, finances, physical ability, or connections to get the work done on their own. The team builds wheelchair ramps, repairs roofs, updates home structures, and restores safe living spaces. Open to men and women ages 13 and up, SWAT welcomes volunteers of all skill levels and meets both small fix-it requests and full-scale projects with the same commitment.
Serve Teams: Connections, Worship, Production, and More
Beyond SWAT, Christ Wesleyan organizes its volunteers into a handful of serve teams.
The Connections team is the front door of the church for guests, directing traffic, greeting, praying for guests, providing security, running hospitality and coffee, and registering visitors into ministries like Kids, Students, or House Groups. Connections team members also walk alongside any guest who has used the Plan Your Visit feature.
The Worship team leads others into God's presence through creative expression, including instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, and rappers, with weekly rehearsal and preparation as part of the rhythm.
The Production + Creative team runs light and video software, assists audio engineers, serves as stagehands, and takes photos and video. No prior experience is required.
The Kids and Students serve teams chaperone events, facilitate small groups, greet, help with songs or teaching, and assist with worship or teaching for the next generation.
RightNow Media and Spiritual Resources
Christ Wesleyan offers the congregation free access to RightNow Media, a library of Bible studies, sermons, and content that includes topics on finances, parenting, the book of James, the person of Jesus, and mental health, along with content for children. The resource is available online or through a phone app, and members can request access by contacting their pastor.
Leadership at CWC
The pastoral team is organized into four leadership groups.
The Leadership Team includes Rev. Santes Beatty (Lead and Teaching Pastor), Rev. Dayna Carr (Discipleship Pastor), Zack Armfield (Community Life Pastor), and Rev. Dr. Stacy Haynes (Children's Pastor).
The Discipleship Team includes Rev. Dayna Carr, Rev. Heather Voncannon (Pastor of Compassion and Justice), Rev. Elizabeth Bentley (Pastor of Prayer and Ministerial Development), and Jenny Bunn (Director of Senior Ministries).
The Community Life Team includes Zack Armfield, Rev. Dr. Sid Wheatley (Care Pastor), and Steve Wall (Director of Hope Center).
The Next Gen Team includes Rev. Dr. Stacy Haynes, Katie Badgerow (Young Adults & Missions Pastor), Tamara Owens (Youth Pastor), and Jamie Barton (Youth Ministry Assistant).
The Operations Team includes Rev. Santes Beatty, Bethany Tolleson (Communications Pastor), Tirell Wright (Music Director), Starr Cromer (Assistant Worship Director), Carter Shanks (Facilities Director), and Trey Bentley (Technology Director).
The church is also served by a Local Board of Administration with a Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustees, and members at large.
Pastoral Care and Prayer
Pastoral care at Christ Wesleyan runs through a Care Pastor, deacons, and a prayer request form on the church's Prayer page. Anyone can share praises and prayer requests through that form, and a member of the staff or deacon team will follow up to pray with and for the person making the request. The Renew Prayer Gathering, held in person on the fourth Saturday of each month in the Chapel with a Zoom option, brings the church family together to worship through prayer, support one another, and grow in community.
Getting Connected in Greensboro
Christ Wesleyan sits inside a wider network of partners across Greensboro. The church maintains a resource list of local organizations it supports or works alongside, including Journey of Hope and To Bind The Broken for counseling, Celebrate Recovery for addiction support, the Hope Center and Free Indeed Outreach and Greensboro Urban Ministry for food and material help, the Greensboro Police Department and Guilford County Sheriff's Office for emergencies, Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation and Greensboro Transit for transportation help, the Weaver House, Interactive Resource Center, and Free Indeed Outreach Ministry for shelter, and Immigration Connection and World Relief Triad for immigration and refugee support. The National Suicide Hotline is listed alongside these for anyone in crisis.
Sunday worship begins at 10:30 a.m. at 2400 South Holden Road in Greensboro. Live streaming is available on the church's Facebook page, and recent services are archived on YouTube. Giving can be done online, and the next step for any guest is as simple as filling out the Plan Your Visit form.