THE QUESTION that has shaped the Rev. Eric Bronkala’s ministry is quite simple: What responsibility does the church bear toward the community it inhabits? It is a question that emerged not from abstract theology, but from lived experience.
Bronkala was raised in a large downtown church widely admired for its architectural beauty. With towering white columns, a marble altar, and a commanding organ, it was a destination for worshippers traveling in from surrounding suburbs. The sanctuary was consistently full, and official events were well attended. Yet even as a child, Bronkala sensed a troubling disconnect. While worship flourished inside the building, the surrounding community seemed largely untouched by the church’s presence. The distance between sacred space and everyday need lingered with him, quietly shaping his understanding of what faith should look like when lived beyond church walls.
Today, that early tension informs his leadership at Winchester First United Methodist Church (WFUMC). For Bronkala, the health of a congregation is not measured by attendance charts or statistical reports, but by the fruit of transformed hearts, restored dignity, and tangible expressions of compassion carried out in the name of Christ. A personal relationship with Jesus, he believes, should never remain theoretical. It must take form in action, particularly in care for the least, the last, and the lost.
That conviction is evident in WFUMC’s most visible ministries. Among them is the Warming Center, a winter shelter initiative that provides refuge for unhoused individuals when overnight temperatures fall below freezing. The ministry was founded by church members, Marian and Mark Stewart, shortly before Bronkala arrived in Winchester. When the original facility lost its heating capabilities, WFUMC quickly stepped forward, offering both space and leadership support. What felt like a logistical solution soon revealed itself as a defining partnership.
Today, members of the congregation serve on the nonprofit’s board, and the Warming Center remains central to the church’s mission. Its purpose is simple and urgent: to ensure that no one is forced to endure the cold without shelter.
The same attentiveness to practical needs guides the Shower Ministry, a spring and summer outreach providing meals, showers, clothing, toiletries, laundry services, and basic supplies twice each week. Though the idea had been discussed in the past, it had never moved beyond the planning stage. Bronkala’s experience with similar ministries made its implementation both natural and timely.
During the most recent season, the Shower Ministry provided more than 500 meals, facilitated 100 showers, and completed 150 loads of laundry, frequently serving over 30 guests in a single evening. The ministry supports not only unhoused neighbors but also individuals temporarily living without access to running water. “Meeting physical needs,” Bronkala noted, “is not separate from the Gospel — it is one of its clearest expressions.”
While WFUMC honors its long and meaningful history, the church is now experiencing a season of renewed clarity and purpose. The congregation is committed to cultivating an inclusive, just, and compassionate community, one that actively works to alleviate suffering and disrupt cycles of poverty and marginalization.
“Personal holiness,” Bronkala emphasized, “must shape daily life, marked by grace, accountability, and an ongoing invitation to deeper faith.”
Over the past year, WFUMC has welcomed 27 new members, many drawn by the opportunity to participate in hands-on, community-centered ministry. Longtime members and newcomers alike have embraced this direction.
“There’s a shared sense of momentum,” Bronkala said. “You can feel the Spirit at work within our congregation and beyond it.”
Central to that momentum is a commitment to presence. Bronkala believes churches that rely solely on scheduled services and passive invitation miss the heart of their calling.
“We’re not here to withdraw from society or create a parallel version of it,” he explained. “We’re here to engage it and help transform it.” Whether speaking at civic gatherings, volunteering in schools, visiting retirement communities, or simply showing up in local spaces, Bronkala approaches ministry as relational, embodied, and accessible.
That posture extends into his personal life as well. Bronkala and his wife, Laura, have embraced Winchester as home. Married for nearly 30 years, they consider their family — including sons Jake and Luke — among their greatest blessings. Laura, whom Eric describes as deeply compassionate and naturally outgoing, courageously relocated from East Tennessee and has quickly become a beloved presence in the community. Her warmth and grace often win people over before he has a chance to.
Creativity and collaboration also define WFUMC’s approach to ministry. When hosting a traditional vacation Bible school proved unrealistic due to limited resources, the church partnered with a large United Methodist congregation from Alabama. WFUMC provided space, promotion, and volunteers, while the visiting church supplied programming and music. Together, they created a meaningful experience for children across Franklin County, demonstrating how shared effort can expand impact.
Looking ahead, WFUMC’s priorities for 2026 include strengthening the Warming Center and Shower Ministry, launching “Dinner Church” to address food insecurity through shared meals and worship, deepening a new partnership with a Guatemalan Christian church offering Spanish-language services, and exploring expanded outreach to children, older adults, and shut-ins.
In its first year of reemergence, WFUMC has already partnered with numerous churches and organizations, pooling time, resources, and expertise to strengthen community ties. Eric remains both hopeful and resolute.
“We intend to remain a transformative presence in Franklin County,” he said. “Anyone who wants to be part of that work is welcome. We are ready to show up — consistently, compassionately, and without reservation.” GN
