Our History

Founded by Dr. Jim and Avis Lavender in 1983, Discovery United Methodist Church has always been a place for people to gather for worship, relationships, and community. The first services were held in a vast field, sometimes on hay bails or under a tent, then we moved into a trailer, and now, we have a sanctuary. But whether it be the field where we invited neighbors for an ice cream social under pine trees or standing beneath the iconic steeple of today where we share food with the community, Discovery has never stopped serving people and living out our mission. As we grow, we remain steadfast to our mission to reach people with the Good News of Jesus Christ through life and faith.

When Dr. Jim Lavender retired in 2016, Rev. Ed. Pruit served as the interim pastor for a time, until in July 2017, when Rev. Dr. J. Adam Sowder was appointed as the lead pastor of Discovery. The church continues to innovate its way to be a source of relevance in the greater Richmond region and the world while with commitment in faithfully following our Wesleyan Traditions and Beliefs.