Jacob Lynn Goodson

When did you first come to Broadus?

I first came to Broadus on the recommendation of one of my professors in the religious studies dept. at UVa: Charles Marsh. Prof. Marsh was one of the first professors I met after moving here, and knowing that I was Baptist he recommended Broadus to me. He said that Broadus was a church with a lot of “life” and that the pastor, being trained at Duke Divinity School, was more theologically astute than most Baptist pastors.

What made you want to return?

What made us want to return to Broadus was the “life” of the church that Prof. Marsh had talked about. Our first Sunday there we met and talked with several people that seemed genuinely excited about Broadus as their home church and about having us a part of their church. My wife Angela met Jenny Howell, the pastor’s wife, and found her to be an instantly wonderful conversation partner as they share many of the same interests.

What has been your most memorable experience at Broadus?

There is not “one” most memorable experience but rather three that stick out in my mind. First, the dedication of our first child Sophia Grace was a wonderful experience. Eric and Jenny really made us feel like that we were not alone in raising our child but had the help and the prayers of the whole church with us. It was not an infant baptism sacramentally, but it was the most liturgical baby dedication I have ever seen. Second, the first time we worked VBS was an eye-opening experience that I will never forget. The curriculum and the children’s reaction to it spoke to Angela and I as much as it did the children. Seeing the church come together to be living testimonies of the gospel to children made us think that this church, as a working community, really embodied the gospel in ways that we had not seen before. And third, being a part of the Logos Sunday School class has really felt like being a part of a family. Not only are the Sunday School classes themselves both in depth and open to discussion, but there seems to be a continual discussion outside of class of both prayer concerns and theological questions. The first place Angela and I turn when we have a need or have news to share is our SS class.

What you’d recommend for UVA students new to Broadus.

Broadus Memorial Baptist Church seeks to incorporate believers into the life of the church. UVa students would find it to be a place to be active in the church life. And the church life would not only include other college students and young adults but people of all ages working together to discern how the Holy Spirit calls us to be the church together.

Any other comments?

If you have been raised “Baptist” and carry baggage with the “Baptist Church,” then visit Broadus — I think you will find that most of the baggage you carry about “Baptists” is not present at Broadus. If you are not “Baptist” but looking for a church that has a lot of life, both incorporates more liturgical worship practices and sings hymns, and has an active and intentionally thoughtful Sunday School class for young adults, then visit Broadus. If you are not a Christian but want to visit a church to experience first-hand what the Christian life is like, then Broadus is the place for you to visit.