Rev. Dr. Garry Gromley began his appointment as pastor of First United Methodist Church on July 1, 2009.  Dr. Gromley came to the Lexington Church after serving as pastor of Sullivan United Methodist Church from 2002-2009.  He has also served as pastor of the following churches in the former Central Illinois Conference and now the Illinois Great Rivers Conference: Oakwood, Loda, Bloomington Grace, and Cambridge.

Gromley, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, earned a B.A. from Iowa Wesleyan College, an M.Div. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a D.Min. from McCormick Theological Seminary.  His doctoral work focused on church revitalization.

"It is my ministry to serve congregations that have a long history of ministry in their communities--to learn their stories, celebrate their many decades of faithful Christian ministries, and to work with congregations to discern new avenues of ministry that reach people with the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ."

"In this way, inspired by the Holy Spirit, revitalization begins to take place in the lives of people as they commit themselves to Jesus Christ and look beyond the church walls to the mission field in which they are located.  This is an exciting approach to ministry that calls for both congregation and pastor to serve the Lord with dynamic ministries that are relevant to the lives of God's children."

"As I learn more about the congregation and its hopes for future ministries, I gain a deeper appreciation for the people and ministries of First U.M.C.   I am blessed to be a part of the congregation's ministries."

Dr. Gromley may be contacted at the church phone number or by email at ggromley(at)igrc.org