Virginia Beach United Methodist Church

I attended this church from June to September of last year. I was hoping to find a solid church home. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed and left wanting some kind of emphasis on salvation, deliverance from sin and discipleship. With the exception of the occasional message by the youth pastor (Brett??), I heard nothing of the sort. Instead, it seemed like there was an increasing attempt to improve the music, highlighting the fine arts and performing for the congregation instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was shallow and pretentious. If this is going to be a church then preach and follow what the Holy Bible says. Otherwise, what is the point?

I went to this church as a kid. I liked the pastors who were there at the time, but they left sometime around 2019. Even then, my experience with the church itself was that there really wasn’t any sense of community. I was in the choir, and I always felt left out. There were a few kids who were clearly the choir director’s favorites, and she only ever chose them for lead parts or individual lessons. Coincidentally, their parents had more money and donated more to the church. This was around 2017. They held group meets, but from what my mom said, they only met at expensive places, and if you couldn’t afford to go, you were just left out. The choir director was genuinely horrible. She told the three boys in the children’s choir to sing in constant falsetto to “blend in with and match” the girls. Because of how I was taught, I still have trouble singing in my natural range. Overall, I just remember feeling alone when I went there, and from what my mom has told me, she felt the same. She tried to participate—she was even in a Zumba class—but she got really sick after a car accident and ended up needing neck surgery. We stopped going because she couldn’t drive the thirty minutes it took to get there. No one from the church checked on her. My grandma had to drive me and my brother to choir until we eventually quit. I just remember feeling lonely and being bullied by the other kids while the choir director did nothing to stop it. The one bright spot was the Easter service with the walk-through—those memories are still very pleasant.

I used to contribute financially to this church until oneday I walked in and there wasn't anyone at the front desk. I'm waiting a few minutes and a guy finally comes to the front. He looks at me and ask ( how did you get in). Obviously the door... I've never been back and yes I'm a poc.

Easter service while visiting from CLE. Plenty of parking, very friendly greeters and members. Buildings were very nice and well maintained. Band played numerous songs, but didn't seem plugged in - literally. Bass guitar and acoustic guitar were not audible.

This church is amazing! They were kind enough to host the Emergency Shelter for the Homeless of Virginia Beach, VA. They were so kind, inviting, and non-judgmental! God bless them all! Thank you for your ministry!