FPC Welcomes Our New Interim Pastor

Dear Church Family and Friends,

We have exciting news to share from the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee (“IPNC”). The Rev. Dr. Lewis F. Galloway will be joining First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg as the Interim Pastor commencing February 15^th, with his first Sunday in the pulpit being February 21^st. We had strong inbound interest in this opportunity, and we received referrals from church members, active and retired pastors, and the Presbytery resulting in the evaluation of over 30 candidates. In close consultation with the Session and the Presbytery, and after careful deliberation and prayer, the IPNC felt led to Lewis and feel that the Lord has orchestrated this in His perfect timing.

Lewis was born and raised in Columbia, SC. He is a graduate of Davidson College and Union Presbyterian Seminary. He is married to Rev. Dr. Eleanor (Bunny) Alexander who is also a Union graduate, a PCUSA Pastor, and a Pastoral Counselor. Lewis served as Senior Pastor at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC for fourteen years before being led to serve as Senior Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Lewis served Second Presbyterian for fourteen years before he and Bunny retired to Black Mountain, NC in July of 2018. Lewis currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Montreat Conference Center and has served on the boards of both Union Presbyterian Seminary and Davidson College. Lewis and Bunny are actively engaged at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Lewis is often a guest preacher and serves on the capital campaign committee and Bunny is actively involved in a prison ministry. They are the parents of three grown children and have two grandchildren.

The IPNC felt strongly that an engaging, energizing presence in the pulpit coupled with experience in a large, multi-pastor and multi-staff church were two of the most important criteria, and Lewis hits the bullseye. He has all the requisite skillsets, talent, and experience to lead First Presbyterian, Spartanburg during this transitional period. Both formal and informal references on Lewis have been glowing and he is uniquely qualified to lead the church as the Interim Pastor and prepare the church for the calling of its next Senior Pastor.

Lewis was unanimously approved to serve as the Interim Pastor of First Presbyterian of Spartanburg by the Session on January 26^th and was examined and approved by the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery on February 4^th.

On a more personal note, whether it was through one of Lewis’ sermons, participating in his weekly Bible study, phone conversations, in-person meetings, or sharing a meal together with he and Bunny, the IPNC feels blessed to have had the opportunity get to know Lewis and Bunny so well during this process. They are wonderful people, and we know you will be equally thrilled and enthusiastic as we are once you get a chance to meet them.

Interim Pastor Nominating Committee
Sloan Evans, Chair, Ali Beeson, David Berry, Muffet Chapman, Lewis White, Lee Close

Dear Friends:

It is a great joy for me to become a part of the First Presbyterian Church family. I am grateful to the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee and to the Session for the opportunity to serve as your Interim Pastor. It will be good to be back in South Carolina, having grown up in Columbia and having served as the Pastor of Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia for 14 years. My wife, Bunny Alexander, and I look forward to getting to know you and serving with you. Your commitment to strong worship, global mission, community ministry and loving fellowship is well known throughout the larger church.

My first Sunday with you will be February 21, which is the First Sunday of Lent. These are interesting, unusual, and difficult days for our church, community, nation, and world. The 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter give us an opportunity to reflect upon what it means to live as children of God in a world full of challenges. We all know folks who have lost work or who are struggling in business; friends who have children at home grappling with virtual classes; neighbors who are sick with serious illness; families that are hungry or homeless; and the forgotten who are suffering with profound grief or loneliness. As children of God, how do we live out of faith and not fear, out of love and not indifference, and out of hope and not despair? How do we take up our cross and follow Jesus to Jerusalem?

We often talk about “giving up something for Lent.” May I suggest that instead of giving something up, we take on a new spiritual practice. A friend in a former church told me that she begins each of the 40 days of Lent with a prayer. In that prayer a person’s name surfaces as a kind of gift from God. On that day, she writes that person a letter lifting up something positive about that person’s life and friendship and letting them know that she is praying for them. When I received such a letter, I was deeply touched and encouraged by her words. What if we get out paper and pen and write 40 notes this Lent to people who are often forgotten, overlooked, or struggling? (I’m talking about notes written on paper and sent through the mail – not just emails or texts!) This Lenten practice would support the Deacons in their efforts to stay in touch with the spiritual needs of the congregation. I am going to do this. I hope you will join me in this opportunity.

I look forward to “seeing” you, being with you, and serving Christ with you in the ministry of First Church.

Blessings,
Lewis