Rising Stars: Meet Eugene Downing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eugene Downing. 

Hi Eugene, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In my first year of college, I’d become member of a congregation in the city where I was a student whose pastor was a friend of the family. That pastor and his wife were very supportive of my college experience as well as my academic development. In being true to the blessing they were to me; I became involved in the ministry of the congregation they led. However, by junior year, as life began to present challenges, I found myself leaning on the church; I attended bible studies, ministry groups and one day began a routine of going to the sanctuary midday to pray. I found strength in the quiet, empty sanctuary which eventually became known by the pastor who, unbeknownst to me, had been wondering if I was being called to ministry. I completely dismissed it and found an internship that summer, but after the internship was complete, I realized the pastor was correct. The internship gave me opportunity to apply learnings in a practical setting, which led me to believe Ministry was the setting I was called to serve. I applied to enter seminary immediately after college and upon completion of Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, I served the First Baptist Church of South Richmond. Its pastor’s progressive ministry and theology of liberation to the marginalized resonated with my journey to that point, so I served there as long as I could.

After five years on staff, I began considering opportunities to become a Senior Pastor, which sounds hilarious to me now, because I was only 29 years old. Though well trained, five years’ experience was like a kindergarten promotion compared to pastoring a Baptist church. Nevertheless, I knew it was God’s will, which was affirmed by signs, not the least of which was an elderly organist I met my first Sunday there who told me God had foretold her of my leadership there. I served there, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for eleven years, though met with steep leadership demands, I experienced a phenomenal interchange of ministry with the community God blessed me to serve. With the help of some congregants and the community, we launched international mission efforts, engaged national social justice endeavors, and executed a host of successful community ministry programs.

That experience prepared me for where God would lead me next in serving New Hope Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado. I’ve celebrated my tenth year as pastor of New Hope, twenty-two years as a pastor, and have found assurance from the first day to this one that this is the call God has on my life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anyone who describes Ministry as easy has had a very different experience than most clergy. Among the most significant challenges in ministry for me to overcome has revolved around the two keys of preparedness and expectation. The Protestant church was not prepared for a generation to turn away from the church, we never expected to fall so low down the list of priorities in American culture.As result, New Hope’s been given the exciting opportunity of centering our youngest generation and equipping them to carry the faith forward. My leadership and that of every Christian pastor at this moment has to overcome the absence of connection with Gen-Z and most near that generation. As baby boomers achieve the blessing of elder age, I’ve had to accept my failure to lead leaders to cultivating Gen Y & Z for the congregation’s future. Now, we have to play catch up and build connection, relationship and mutual trust in a bit of an emergency. The other challenge is the radical change of our society for which seminary didn’t prepare us, a world where Christianity consists of connection without attendance. However, since the life and ministry of Jesus was seldom conducted in a building, this new normal provides the exciting challenge of learning ministry in the way Jesus led ministry. Over time, I’ve learned adaptive leadership based on the need for Ministry. Though, that’s difficult for the average lay person, I have to remind myself, Jesus went to Galilee, because it was densely populated with people who needed the gospel. Therefore, I believe the Christian church today and New Hope has a tremendous opportunity if we’ll maintain a faith courageous enough to go where people are most in need.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of the things I’m most excited about in ministry is the gift God has given me to bridge private and public sector networks with faith and community needs in my twenty two years in pastoral ministry.
In Denver, God’s given me opportunity to build partnerships among New Hope members and community agencies striving for the uplift of marginalized people. Among the 20 community agencies with whom we’ve partnered I’m excited about my current work with the Colorado Energy Office as it strives to expand sustainable transportation in Colorado to fight climate change. Equally, I’m excited about my work with Habitat for Humanity as we contribute to ending housing insecurity in Metro Denver.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
One of the greatest aids to Jesus’ earthly ministry was his consistent effort at building healthy relationships with those around him. I’d suggest clergy to seek out healthy relationships with colleagues, friends and family who can provide social outlet as well as stimulate personal growth. Finding mentors requires humility tempered with a health sense of self; mentors and colleagues in this trying, traumatic and changing age are critically necessary for a pastor’s sense of well being.

Contact Info:

• Email: eugene.downing@newhopechurchdenver.org
• Website: newhopechurchdenver.org
• Instagram: @dreugenedowning
• Facebook: @dreugenedowning
• Twitter: @dreugenedowning
• Youtube: @newhopedenver