The pastoralship a unique opportunity as Downing became the church’s first female pastor in its 143 year history.
“Grace UMC is the third church I’ve served, but the most serious about putting their faith into practice,” Downing said.
Originally from Tennessee, Downing has lived in Ohio for the majority of her life.
Downing married her husband Dan, and became a mother of four children.
What makes her story unique is that Downing did not accept her calling to become a pastor until she was in her 40s.
At the age of 42, Downing went to school and obtained three degrees from Sinclair Community College, Wright State University, and United Theological Seminary.
READ MORE: Springfield church seeks help for sanctuary repairs
Under her leadership, Grace has started the unique ministry of creating and distributing laundry soap.
“When you are on assistance, you cannot use that money to buy laundry soap,” Downing said. “We want to be able to elevate and instill dignity within those in need.”
The church creates over 1,000 gallons of laundry soap per year, which is then given away at the Methodist-operated Open Hands Free Store.
Aside from the laundry ministry, Grace operates a direct help ministry, which involves the operation of an emergency fund. “The emergency fund is very important because it allows us to help community members, even if they do not attend our church,” Downing said.
The emergency fund is used to assist needy families with rent, paying utilities, or other vital needs.
Grace UMC is an example of great transformation and they show it within their ministry as well as their property.
When people drive past the church, they notice a Shepard made of wood resting in the exterior of the church.
The carving was made out of a dead tree. The tree was killed by the emerald ash borer, which has killed ash trees across the United States.
Initially purposed to be cut down, Springfield native Greg Henry carved the Shepard, giving the tree a sense of transformation, which Downing emphatically declared “the root of Christianity.”
MORE: Church finds new use for dying tree
Downing has seen her share of challenges during her time at Grace, yet the structural weakening of the churche’s roof has been a daunting one.
The roof in their sanctuary became compromised, forcing the congregation to worship in their fellowship hall.
The church has been raising the $225,000 needed for the repair, without halting their ministry programs, including assistance with the Eagle and Dove after-school program, partnership with Interfaith Hospitality Network and providing free meeting space for Narcotics Anonymous and West End Neighborhood Association.
As Grace UMC continues to flourish under Downing’s leadership, one thing remains and it’s her belief that church should be a warm, engaging place, not one of prejudice and judgment. “No one should be excluded from the Kingdom of God and that’s the mentality we have here at Grace,” Downing said.
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