Englewood Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is an Evangelical Presbyterian Church congregation known for its twofold emphasis: “Gather to Know Jesus” and “Go to Share Jesus and His Love.” Its mission is “Loving All for the Glory of Jesus Christ.” Founded in 1963, the church has grown from an Englewood-area church school and preaching ministry into a congregation centered on worship, discipleship, congregational care and service to neighbors.
From Englewood Area Presbyterian Chapel to Englewood Presbyterian
Population studies conducted by the Church Extension Committee of Albemarle Presbytery in 1953 and 1959 found a need for a Presbyterian church in the Englewood area of Rocky Mount. Under the auspices of West Haven Presbyterian Church's session, the Englewood project began in March 1961 with a church school and regular preaching services. Those gatherings met in the Coleman-Pitt American Legion Building and were called Englewood Area Presbyterian Chapel. On February 17, 1963, the effort became Englewood Presbyterian Church with 66 charter members.
Pastors who have served include Rev. William A. Leist (1962-1966), Rev. J. Donald Glover (1967-1971), pulpit supplies Rev. Dr. Harold Dudley and Rev. DeWitt Helm (1971-1972), Rev. Charles W. Coats (1972-1995), and Rev. Andrew R. Clark (1997-2006). Rev. Dr. Robert M. Westlund has served since 2008. In 2012, the church began a discernment process with New Hope Presbytery concerning biblical and theological differences with the Presbyterian Church in the USA. It was released from the PCUSA on December 1, 2013, and accepted by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
A Sanctuary Built on the Word
The original building was dedicated on September 18, 1966, and a youth building was added in 1988. Groundbreaking for the current sanctuary and office complex began in August 1999, and the building was dedicated in 2001. Before construction, each family wrote a scripture card and buried a scripture capsule at the center of the planned sanctuary. The former sanctuary and offices were converted into the fellowship hall and kitchen areas.
Sunday at 10:30: Songs, Hymns and the Word
Englewood Presbyterian gathers for Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. The service lasts about an hour and includes prayer, singing, giving, and an explanation and application of God's Word. Its music blends contemporary songs with traditional hymns, accompanied by piano, keyboard and drums and led by the praise team. The congregation celebrates the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of each month. Sunday worship is livestreamed on Facebook.
A Casual or Formal Welcome
Guests may dress casually in jeans and shorts or more formally in dresses and suits; pastors generally wear ties and sports coats. Greeters at the welcome table are available to answer questions. Restrooms are straight down the hall from the front doors and around the corner on the left. Coffee is available in the lobby with K-Cups, tea and water, and beverages may be taken into the sanctuary. The church is at 100 S. Englewood Drive in Rocky Mount, with office phone (252) 443-3127.
Children in the Whole Gathering
Children are welcome to remain in worship throughout the service. A paid, background-checked nursery worker cares for children ages 0-3. For children in 4K through third grade, Children's Church begins about 20 minutes into the service, when they are dismissed for Bible teaching in the educational wing. All children's ministry volunteers have background checks. Rachel Westlund leads the church's children, youth and special-needs ministries and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in special education from East Carolina University.
Bible Study, Small Groups and Congregational Care
Bible studies and small groups meet weekly and monthly as members pursue the church's aim of making disciples in daily life. Those becoming part of the congregation are invited to speak with Pastor Rob and join an “EPC 101” class. Ministry opportunities range from service within the church to work in the community. The church's discipleship includes prayer, Bible study, presence in the community, a social media presence and the daily life of neighbors, with leaders seeking to bear witness to Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Ministry Team
Lead Pastor Rob Westlund has been part of Englewood Presbyterian since 2008. He earned a B.S. in Biology from Coastal Carolina College and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. Pastor of Congregational Care Keith Cobb brings 50 years of pastoral experience from churches in North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia, plus ministry in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Albania and Russia and evangelistic work in Bern, Switzerland. Music Ministry Lead Mary Ruth Johnson has served since 1994. Rachel Westlund, Director of Children & Disabilities Ministries, joined the Englewood family in 2008 after growing up in its youth group.
Essentials, Liberty and Charity
Englewood Presbyterian is a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and holds to “In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essential, Liberty; and In all things, Charity.” Its statement of faith calls Scripture self-attesting and the Bible the supreme and final authority in matters on which it speaks. The essentials affirmed include:
- One God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer, eternally existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ, the living Word, who became flesh, died for sin, rose bodily, ascended and serves as High Priest and Mediator.
- The Holy Spirit, who convicts of sin, gives new life, empowers believers for service, teaches truth and seals them for the day of redemption.
- Salvation, wholly dependent on God's free grace and received through faith in Christ alone.
- The Church as those united through saving faith and the Spirit's sanctifying work, expressed in local congregations where the Word is preached, sacraments are administered, scriptural discipline is practiced and loving fellowship is maintained.
- The personal, visible and bodily return of Christ, together with the call to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples and serve in self-denying love.
Giving That Reaches Locally and Globally
The church teaches that each person should give as decided in the heart and not reluctantly, and that giving serves locally and globally in Jesus-centered ministries. Giving online is available for tithes and offerings. Checks may be mailed to Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Englewood Dr., Rocky Mount, NC 27804. On Sundays, offering plates sit on either side of the sanctuary entrance, and offerings may also be brought to the church office Monday through Thursday. Giving, worship and service are joined in the church's larger aim: to glorify God through every area of life.
Englewood Presbyterian Church's story runs from a 1961 church school and preaching services in a Legion building to a church with a dedicated sanctuary, nursery, Children's Church, youth and special-needs ministries, music, Bible studies, small groups and congregational care. Its central identity remains “Loving All for the Glory of Jesus Christ,” with the shared work of gathering to know Jesus and going to share Jesus and His love.