Meet Rev. Nathan Adams | Lead Pastor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rev. Nathan Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rev. Nathan, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Christ Church United Methodist strives to make our community a better place. As the Lead Pastor, I believe that our community must be positively impacted because our church is a part of it. Through our campuses in Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach and our school, Christ Church School, we serve people of all ages and stages of life. We have ministries and programs for children, youth, and adults. We offer feeding ministries including a food pantry and free meals for everyone including those who are experiencing homelessness. Additionally, our anti-racism and Rainbow Alliance groups are working to make our church more diverse and inclusive as we believe God calls us to love and serve all people. As an example, these groups regularly host forums and studies on racism and LGBTQIA+ inclusion as they lead us within and out of church in these areas. We want to be in relationship with folks who have always been welcomed and included in church, but also those who have historically been excluded. We believe that God calls us to not only care about the spiritual well being of people and the community, but also their and its physical, mental, and emotional well being. As part of our work, we try to build ministries and programs with community partners to make this happen. We are a community when we work together. Some of those partners include among many, The League of Women Voters of Broward County, HOPE South Florida, The Fruitful Field, Tedder Elementary, NOVA Singers, and OutClique Magazine.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am convinced that I am called to serve. I do so as a pastor. I believe that all people are loved just as they are by God and therefore should be treated that way. Being bi-racial, I’ve experienced plenty of racism and discrimination because of who I am. My hope is to serve in such a way that others will experience less discrimination (or none at all) because of who they are. I had a mentor of mine tell me before I came to Christ Church that he was excited that I was coming to serve here. When I asked him why, he said, “Because you get stuff done.” I took great pride in that answer. I don’t want to be a pastor or church that just says the right things, we also must do the right thing. We have to get stuff done. I think that is what sets me and the churches I’ve pastored a part. When we say we value all people, especially those on the margins of society, we try to “practice what we preach.” Churches I’ve led have served as sanctuary churches for those in jeopardy of being deported by the federal government. They have served those experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, food, showers, and one even participated as a host location for Denver’s Safe Outdoor Spaces serving as a temporary site where around forty people lived in its parking lot. The churches I’ve pastored have taken on an advocated for affordable housing, addressed from the pulpit mental health, racism, and trans rights. They’ve partnered with local elementary schools to mentor students and the list goes on. I’m proud of the work I’ve helped led and lead, but I did not do any of it alone. The great laity I lead and work with make all of this possible. From my perspective, a focus on doing the right thing and having the courage to follow through is what makes this possible. This is what service is about.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After of course coming to worship with us at Christ Church on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale or Wednesday evening in Deerfield Beach, I would first take them to the beach! I’d likely take them to Lauderdale by the Sea as it’s the closest to our Fort Lauderdale campus to do a little eating and shopping with some time on the beach. Throughout the week in no particular order, I’d make sure we visit Las Olas and the Pompano Beach Pier as well. Because of my connections to Miami, we most definitely would visit the University of Miami’s campus. I’d also of course take them for a mojito at Versailles. We’d also need to plan a trip to Robert is Here in Homestead to grab a delicious smoothie and some unique etas. Finally, I’d also have to take them to my favorite place in South Florida, Bill Braggs State Park! I hope it is a long trip to get everything in!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Hugh Harbison and Tim Conner were my trombone professors at the University of Miami. They took a chance on admitting me to their studio. They did so on a conditional basis as I wasn’t quite as talented of a trombonist as other students in their studio. However, it is because of them and what they saw in me as a trombonist and student that first brought me to South Florida. I am grateful they took that chance. It is because of the risk they took on me, a student from Ohio, they had never met before, but had only heard on a cassette tape that South Florida proudly remains my home today. A special thank you to the Reverends Marcus Zillman and Mark Caldwell who mentored me during my time at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Miami. It is largely because of their mentorship that I entered the ministry.

Website: www.christchurchfl.org

Instagram: @chrsitchurchfl

Twitter: @RunningRevAdams, @christchurchfl

Facebook: @nathan.p.adams, @christchurchfl

Image Credits
Photos taken by Cynthia Metzger Phipps for Christ Church United Methodist