Pastor andy woodard
A Brief Background
Andy moved to Manhattan in August of 2014 and was ordained and installed as a pastor at Manor Community Church in 2015. He grew up in a pastor’s home and is the grandson of two pastors. He’s worked for several churches including established churches, revitalizations, and church plants. He’s married to Emma, and they enjoy eating tacos and listening to podcasts of all kinds.
He has earned the following degrees while engaged in full-time ministry:
Bachelors of Science, Christian Ministries, Bob Jones University, May 2013
Master of Arts, Cross-cultural Studies, Bob Jones University, May 2014
Master of Divinity, Great Commission Studies, Southern Seminary, May 2017
Doctor of Ministry, Expository Preaching, The Master’s Seminary, May, 2022*
He has earned the following degrees while engaged in full-time ministry:
Bachelors of Science, Christian Ministries, Bob Jones University, May 2013
Master of Arts, Cross-cultural Studies, Bob Jones University, May 2014
Master of Divinity, Great Commission Studies, Southern Seminary, May 2017
Doctor of Ministry, Expository Preaching, The Master’s Seminary, May, 2022*
A note from our Pastor...
My name is Andy Woodard. My New York story began over one hundred years ago when my great great grandfather came to America as an immigrant in the late 1800's from Sweden. Upon landing in New York City, he made his home in Brooklyn and was converted to Christ under the ministry of E.M. Broen, the pastor of the 59th street Church, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The church's distinction between the law and the gospel, joined to the warmth and emphasis on heart-felt, experiential Christianity would set a trajectory of faith for his family for generations to come. That direction would eventually lead his great great grandson (me) to return to New York City in 2014. I was originally sent by Grace Baptist Church in Dacula, Ga. to work with New York Gospel Ministries and Manor Community Church in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.
After two years, full of ministry, working daily with the food pantry, ordination and installation to the pastorate, and preaching every week, I sensed the Lord calling me to church planting. Through a very difficult season of prayer, fasting, and seeking wise counsel I gained clear assurance that this was the step God was calling me to take. After an extended series of meetings, the elders at Manor Community Church affirmed the very difficult decision to leave Manor, in order to move to Louisville, KY, to complete my Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary for the purpose of returning to plant churches in New York City.
As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in a Christian home. In fact my dad is a pastor and has been for over thirty years. I grew up in a home that read the Bible and prayed each day. We memorized Scripture as a family and went to church every time the doors were opened, but those things, as good as they are, were not enough to make me a Christian. My parents faith had to become my own. I needed to be born again for myself. Finally in the winter of 2000/2001 Jesus saved me, and forgave all of my sins. Then when I was 19 I publicly professed my faith in Christ through Christian baptism. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Expository Preaching at The Master’s Seminary.
After two years, full of ministry, working daily with the food pantry, ordination and installation to the pastorate, and preaching every week, I sensed the Lord calling me to church planting. Through a very difficult season of prayer, fasting, and seeking wise counsel I gained clear assurance that this was the step God was calling me to take. After an extended series of meetings, the elders at Manor Community Church affirmed the very difficult decision to leave Manor, in order to move to Louisville, KY, to complete my Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary for the purpose of returning to plant churches in New York City.
As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in a Christian home. In fact my dad is a pastor and has been for over thirty years. I grew up in a home that read the Bible and prayed each day. We memorized Scripture as a family and went to church every time the doors were opened, but those things, as good as they are, were not enough to make me a Christian. My parents faith had to become my own. I needed to be born again for myself. Finally in the winter of 2000/2001 Jesus saved me, and forgave all of my sins. Then when I was 19 I publicly professed my faith in Christ through Christian baptism. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Expository Preaching at The Master’s Seminary.