Director, Pathways Towards Impact

Rev. Luke Lingle, Director of Pathways Towards Impact (PTI), leverages his practical ministry experience to walk alongside the North Carolina United Methodist Churches in the Center’s PTI portfolio seeking sustainable social impact in the communities that they share. Luke’s role also includes leading the Church and Community Placemaking Lab, which supports North Carolina churches committed to fostering thriving congregations and communities in their local contexts through social innovations. Luke suggests that, “part of our work is to share God's love throughout the communities where we are planted. Our context matters and the Placemaking Lab helps local churches and pastoral leaders grow their impact through proper stewardship." He is particularly drawn to the stewardship of UMC resources in the local church, whether it be an underutilized building or contextual partnerships. He believes that “how we steward the gifts given to us by God is important work.”

Luke’s areas of theological study include the intersection of economic and community development and the role of leadership development in local communities. He uses his education, training, and experience in the local church to help other practitioners follow their calls. Luke also works as a Faculty Director for The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation, where he teaches undergraduate fellows how to make positive social impact change through cultivating relationships.

Previously Luke served as the Executive Pastor at Central UMC in Asheville, NC; as one of the Managing Directors at Missional Wisdom Foundation, a United Methodist Extension Ministry; a Church Vitality Strategist of the Western North Carolina Conference; and an Associate Pastor at Etowah UMC and Union Grove UMC. When he graduated from seminary in 2007, he received a three-year grant from the Duke Endowment with his mentor Rev. Rich Greenway to develop Christian Education curriculum based on the power of storytelling.

Luke is an accredited personal coach, a writer, and a mentor. He enjoys developing new programs that help serve the greater community. He enjoys spending time with his family, sitting on his porch with friends and neighbors, and attempting to play golf.