Kingswood Church sits in Rural Hall, a small town in North Carolina's Triad region, where it has built a reputation as a blended-style Global Methodist congregation with deep roots in its community. Known for its warm welcome, traditional-yet-flexible worship, and a thriving Christian preschool that has served local families for fifty years, Kingswood invites first-time visitors and longtime residents alike to come as they are.
Sunday Mornings at Kingswood
The rhythm of a Sunday at Kingswood begins early. At 9:30 a.m., the pastor leads an impromptu, Spirit-led prayer gathering in the Sanctuary - a half hour of praises, concerns, and quiet expectation. At 10:00 a.m., the focus shifts to Sunday School, with classes for every age that open the door to conversation and study. Then at 11:00 a.m., the congregation gathers for the Worship Service, which runs about an hour.
First-time visitors will find a community that wants them to feel at home. People are greeted at the door, the dress code is "come as you are" (jeans or a favorite hat and tie - whatever feels right), and the sermon is grounded in the Word with notes available to take home and revisit through the week. A big screen helps visual learners follow along.
A Blended Style of Worship
Worship at Kingswood is described as a blended style of music and liturgy. An adult choir, accompanied by a pianist and organist, anchors the hymns, while an occasional contemporary praise band and seasonal guest musicians broaden the musical palette throughout the year. Children are welcomed into the Sanctuary itself, and the church offers a sitting area with a live feed in the foyer for parents who prefer to step out, a Nursery for ages two and under, and Children's Church for ages three through six. Children's Activity Bags by the front doors are stocked with resources for older kids during worship.
The service draws on traditional Methodist theology. Holy Communion is shared on the first Sunday of each month, with everyone invited to participate, and the sacrament of Baptism is offered both for infants and for those making a profession of faith.
Music and Song
Music is woven into the life of the church beyond Sunday morning. The adult Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., and a Community Choir gathers on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Seasonal handbells, a contemporary praise band, and guest accompanists round out the program. Anyone who plays an instrument or sings is invited to join.
Rooted in the Global Methodist Church
Kingswood identifies as a Global Methodist congregation - "unapologetically orthodox and Methodist" in its own words. The church affirms the core doctrines and disciplines of the Global Methodist Church, including God's grace, Christian sanctification, and holiness, and it celebrates its connection with other Methodist churches around the globe.
The mission is simple and clear: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe. The Great Commission shapes everything from the children's Sunday School to the adult small groups and Bible studies that meet mid-week and seasonally with the pastor.
A Discipleship-Shaped Community
Discipleship at Kingswood is relational and intentional. Sunday School classes, small groups, mid-week Bible studies, and seasonal studies led by the pastor are designed to help people grow at any stage of faith - whether they are new believers, lifelong Christians, or simply exploring questions about God. Faith formation opportunities are offered for children, youth, and adults of all ages.
A House of Prayer
Prayer is one of Kingswood's hallmarks. Beyond the 9:30 a.m. Sunday prayer service, an open prayer chapel is available during normal business hours and whenever the church is open - a quiet place for anyone who needs a moment with God. Throughout the year, the church also gathers for seasonal prayer services and studies, including contemplative services in Advent and Lent and community-wide prayer in response to events such as Hurricane Helene. A prayer team confidentially receives requests emailed to the pastor and prays intentionally for each one. A printed prayer guide and a daily devotional are also available.
Kingswood Christian Preschool
For fifty years, Kingswood Christian Preschool has been a ministry of the church, providing a loving place for local children to grow and learn since opening its doors in 1976. Children ages two through five attend classes on a two-day, three-day, or five-day schedule from 9:00 a.m. to noon, with a Lunch Bunch option on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The program uses Creative Curriculum, a North Carolina-approved early childhood curriculum aligned with the state's elementary schools, and weaves Christian values naturally into the academic day. Weekly Chapel in the Sanctuary with the church's pastor introduces children to the Sanctuary, Bible stories, and a relationship with Jesus. The Preschool's mission - "Nurturing hearts for God and minds for learning" - has guided the program from its first day. Preschool Director Luann Winfrey leads the staff.
Staying Connected
Worship services are livestreamed on YouTube, and the church shares announcements through Facebook, a monthly newsletter called "The Messenger" (available by email subscription or in hard copy at the church foyer), a weekly bulletin, and a phone tree that reaches members with weather advisories and special announcements. Sermon notes are posted online each week to help the message travel beyond Sunday. Visitors who would like to meet the pastor are encouraged to plan a visit or email the church office to schedule a conversation.
The Rev. John Frank Howard serves as Interim Pastor. Kingswood Church is located at 6840 University Parkway in Rural Hall, North Carolina.