On the triangular lot where Albany Avenue meets Youree Drive in south Shreveport, Broadmoor United Methodist Church has been gathering for worship since 1939. The congregation numbers in the hundreds each Sunday, but it spans far more than a single service style or a single generation. Two distinct Sunday morning worship services - one traditional in the Sanctuary, one contemporary in Anderson Hall Gym - share the same building and the same mission statement: Inspire people to KNOW, GROW and GO in God's love! Around those words, Broadmoor has built a full week of children's programs, youth ministry, music ensembles, weekday schools, Bible studies, and mission work that reaches from Cedar Grove to Oklahoma to Ekaterinburg, Russia.
Two Sunday Morning Worship Services Under One Roof
Broadmoor's Sunday begins early and runs through supper. The first service is the traditional Sanctuary Worship at 8:30 AM, led by Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Wybra Price, with United Methodist liturgy, hymns, organ and piano accompaniment, prayer and scripture. The service is held again at 11:00 AM in the same Sanctuary. Communion is shared on the first Sunday of each month at both services.
At the same 11:00 AM hour, in Anderson Hall Gym, The River contemporary worship offers a different feel. The River Praise Band - singers, guitars, bass, drums, and keys - leads music in a relaxed atmosphere with multimedia elements. Rev. Montie' Dobbins, the Associate Pastor, preaches. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month, and the service is preceded by a First Sunday Breakfast for those who arrive a little early.
Between the morning services, the day opens up for learning and fellowship:
- 9:30 to 9:45 AM: Fellowship Time in the Fellowship Area outside the Sanctuary. Stop by the Welcome Center for information about the church.
- 9:45 to 10:45 AM: Sunday School for children, youth, and adults in classes across the campus.
- 5:00 to 7:00 PM: UMY, the United Methodist Youth gathering, in Anderson Hall.
All worship services are described as child-friendly, with a Children's Moment that connects to the sermon in language young ears can follow.
The Story of The River
The River's story starts in 2000, when a small group of people at Broadmoor wanted a come-as-you-are praise and worship experience. They called it The Gathering, and it quickly grew. The service evolved into the Praise and Worship Service and moved to Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary at 9:45 AM. In 2003 it was renamed The River and began meeting at 11:00 AM in Pearce Hall. The name came from the Jordan River of scripture, the nearby Red River that runs through Shreveport, and the song "Let the River Flow."
The River outgrew Pearce Hall and moved into Anderson Hall Gym, where it still meets. Its sermons and bulletins now form a long archive stretching back years, with series on discipleship, the Sermon on the Mount, and the lessons of Esther. The River Praise Band is led by Director/Keys Dr. Holly Kordahl and includes Stewart Rose (vocals/guitar), Jeff Taylor (guitar), Kane McCullin (drums), Chris Harlow (acoustic guitar), and Kyle Boston (lead vocals).
Children's Ministries from Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children's ministry at Broadmoor runs from infancy through fifth grade and is led by Leah Raley, Director of Family and Children's Ministries. On Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM, loving nursery care with trained staff is offered for infants through age five. At 11:00 AM, nursery care continues for infants through age two, and Wee Worship is offered for ages three through kindergarten in room 100.
During the Sunday School hour at 9:45 AM, the Orange Curriculum is used across age groups. Infants through age two gather in first-floor classrooms. Pre-K and kindergarten explore key Bible stories in first-floor rooms. First through fifth graders meet upstairs in the Garden for Sunday School.
Beyond Sunday morning, the children's calendar is full. Vacation Bible School (called Ilumination Station) is offered in late June for children Pre-K3 through 5th grade. Friday Fun nights in the basement invite 2nd through 5th graders for snack supper, games, crafts, and fellowship. A summer Fun Day brings the whole church out for a waterslide and an evening of food and games.
UMY: Youth Ministry for 6th Through 12th Grade
United Methodist Youth, known simply as UMY, is the heart of Broadmoor's student ministry. Bailey Martin serves as Director of Youth, Young Adult Ministries and Discipleship. Every Sunday night from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, youth gather in Anderson Hall to play games, eat together, and worship. The monthly rhythm rotates four ways: 1st Sunday is a Big Invitation Event designed to be easy to bring a friend; 2nd Sunday is Small Group night, with middle and high schoolers meeting separately; 3rd Sunday is Theme night built around a TV show, movie, or topic; 4th Sunday is a Breakout Night for age-group activities.
Sunday School at 9:45 AM meets in the basement. The middle school class (6th and 7th grade) uses the Orange curriculum, with games, videos, and discussion-based questions. 8th graders prepare for confirmation, learning the core beliefs, practices, and emphases of the United Methodist Church, visiting other faith congregations, and meeting personally with pastors. High schoolers (9th through 12th grade) dig into harder topics - divorce, inequality, depression - again using Orange's discussion-based format.
The youth calendar adds an annual Fall Retreat at Camp Caney, a Spring Retreat held overnight at the church with inflatables and worship, a summer Youth Week kick-off, and the CSM High School Mission Trip - a week-long urban mission trip with the Center for Student Missions in a different city each year, where students live in the city, learn about its needs, and serve alongside local ministries. During the school year, Breakfast Club meets at Chick-fil-A on Youree: middle schoolers gather Tuesdays at 7:00 AM, high schoolers Wednesdays at 7:15 AM.
The youth ministry's stated mission is to serve, grow, and build relationships so that 6th through 12th grade students become lifelong believers and lovers of God.
Music That Fills Both Services
Music is a defining feature of Broadmoor. The Chancel Choir, the adult choir, sings at the 11:00 AM Sanctuary service and rehearses Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the choir room. The choir is led by Director of Music Ministry Adam Philley and sings a range of sacred music. New singers are welcome at any time.
The River Praise Band, mentioned above, leads The River worship on Sunday mornings and rehearses Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM. Handbells - the Carillon Ringers - play in worship several times a year and rehearse Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM under Mary Caldwell. The Celebration Singers Youth Choir is led by Jessica Bato, meets Sunday afternoons at 4:00 PM in the choir room, and sings in worship monthly and at special occasions. The Super Senior Singers, organized by Ned James, perform at local nursing homes on Fridays at 2:30 PM, singing oldies like "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" and "Moon River."
Adult Ministries: Sunday School Classes, Small Groups, and UMW
Adult Sunday School runs from 9:45 to 10:45 AM with nine classes meeting across the campus:
- The Covenant Tigers (Room 303) - welcoming, open-minded, focused on the love of God for all creation.
- The Circle Class (Room 303) - gathers to discuss life, faith, and God's Word.
- The Good Shepherd Class (Room 307) - married and single adults studying books of the Bible with open discussion and quarterly potluck lunches.
- The Jabez Class (Room 315) - college-aged adults through their 20s and 30s.
- The Living Faith Class (Room 311) - fellowship, study, and discussion of how to apply the Bible to daily life.
- The Open Door Class (Room 200) - a relaxed environment for strengthening relationships with Christ.
- The Searchers Class (Room 306) - video series or Common Lectionary studies.
- The Upper Room Class (Room 300) - a welcoming mix of people and personalities.
- The Women's Class (Room 202) - sharing, fellowship, and learning.
Small groups continue the formation outside Sunday morning. Women's Bible Studies are offered Mondays at 10:00 AM with Bonnie Daniel and Thursdays at 5:30 PM with Meghan Avallone, both in the Bride's Room. The Pastor's Bible Study, led by Dr. Wybra Price or Rev. Montie' Dobbins, meets Wednesdays at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM in Room 302 during the fall, winter, and summer, working through a book of the Bible over eight weeks. An Advent or Lent Bible Study meets Mondays at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
UMW - United Methodist Women - is a long-running community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ. Two active circle groups meet monthly. Grace Cooke, in existence since the 1950s, meets on the third Monday of the month at 5:30 PM in Pearce Hall, mixing programs and projects with mission work and Bible study. Beyond the Book reads and discusses books from the United Women in Faith reading program across five categories. Women of all ages are welcome in any circle.
The Discipleship Path: Know, Grow, Go
Broadmoor organizes its formation around a Discipleship Path divided into three concentric sections. KNOW asks whether a person is attending worship and connecting with God and God's people. GROW asks whether a person is in a Bible study or small group to develop as a disciple. GO asks how much mission work a person is doing and whether it is deepening their relationship with God and their community.
To walk the path, the church offers Discover Broadmoor Classes, held once a month on rotation: Discover Broadmoor, Discover Methodism, Discover Spiritual Gifts, and Discover Membership. They return around again on the calendar so newcomers can join any session.
Weekday Schools: Early Learning Center, Day School, and Broadmoor Buddies
Broadmoor operates three weekday programs for young children.
The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a fully licensed Type 1 childcare facility by the State of Louisiana, open year-round Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It cares for children from 6 weeks to 3 years old using the Bible-based Wee Learn curriculum. Weekly tuition is $170. Jennifer Parker serves as director. The center is often at capacity; a waiting list is maintained.
Broadmoor Day School is a weekday, school-year program for children entering Pre-K3 and Pre-K4, meeting Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to noon, with a 3-day (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) option for threes. Tuition is $225 to $275 per month. Optional Lunch Bunch extended care until 2:00 PM includes extras like Discover Dance, STEAM, TOT (ball-handling and academics), and Nature Rangers. Rebecca Hodge directs the program.
Broadmoor Buddies (Parents Day Out) serves children from four months to three years old on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, September through May, with a six-week summer program. Director Jessica Calhoun oversees the program.
Local, National, and Global Missions
Missions at Broadmoor extend in three directions.
Local: Kids Hope USA pairs adult mentors with at-risk children during the school year (August through May). The Manna Bag Ministry provides snack-filled gallon bags with a protein snack, drink, fruit, and a prayer for any hungry visitor. The Red Bag Ministry, in partnership with Noel UMC's Food Pantry, fills reusable grocery bags on the first Sunday of each month with needed items. Common Ground Community in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport hosts children's programs, mentoring, a community meal, food and clothing distribution, and a community garden; Broadmoor volunteers staff the food pantry on Wednesday mornings. Gabriel's Closet, with Catholic Charities of Shreveport, collects diapers, clothing, baby food, and baby items for low-income new mothers. The OWL Center (Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center) is supported through sales of Screamin' OWL Salsa and Jellies. The Louisiana Methodist Children's Home in Ruston receives Christmas gifts each November through the Angel Tree Ministry, and the same ministry aids United Methodist Foster Care. Souper Saturday prepares bag lunches each month for Meals on Wheels recipients and members of the congregation.
National: Broadmoor has taken mission trips to Nanih Chito United Methodist Church, a Native American church in Wright City, Oklahoma, part of the Oklahoma Indian Mission Conference. Teams have helped with VBS, school supplies, and building repairs.
Global: The Russia Initiative partners Broadmoor with a sister church in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Each summer and winter, teams lead Vacation Bible School, Bible studies, orphanage work, food baskets for the elderly, and building repairs.
A History Rooted in Shreveport
Broadmoor's story began when the Louisiana Annual Conference admitted Broadmoor Methodist Church in November 1939 with 107 charter members. The first service had been held on September 17, 1939 in the Music Hall at Centenary College, and the congregation continued meeting there for the next six years. In February 1940, a triangular lot at the corner of Albany Avenue and Youree Drive was purchased for $3,800.
Opening services in the new church building were held October 7, 1945. Ground was broken for the sanctuary in September 1950 and the first service was held in January 1952 with a membership of 1,500. A Wicks pipe organ was donated in 1953. A three-story educational facility was dedicated in October 1956, and the church instituted the practice of two Sunday morning worship services the same year.
The mid-1960s brought five more lots on Albany Avenue and a paved parking lot. Anderson Hall was completed in 1970 as the Youth Activities Building with a multi-use gymnasium and kitchen. The John F. Kilpatrick Memorial Chapel was dedicated in 1973 in memory of Rev. John F. Kilpatrick, who had died in office. A Time Capsule was buried at the corner of Youree Drive and Albany Avenue on Christmas Sunday 1976 to preserve records of the church and the community.
The 1980s added Broadmoor Buddies, expanded parking, television broadcasting facilities, a new office building and nursery wing, a renovated sanctuary with stained glass windows designed by Frederick W. Cole, and an enlarged pipe organ. The decade closed with the 50th Anniversary celebration and the adoption of the sister church in Ekaterinburg.
The 1990s brought Shreveport District Church of the Year honors in 1992, the renaming and renovation of the George Pearce Activities Hall and the R. Leonard Cooke Education Building, new choir robes and stoles, a 29-passenger bus, and the launch of the church's first website. The genesis of The River appeared in 2000 with The Gathering, leading to The River itself in 2003.
The senior ministers of Broadmoor since 1939 read as a single timeline of pastoral leadership: Dr. George Pearce Jr. (1939-1943), Dr. Leonard Cooke (1943-1953), Dr. George W. Harbuck (1953-1959), Dr. James T. Harris (1959-1964), Rev. Robert B. Crichlow Sr. (1964-1970), Rev. John F. Kilpatrick (1970-1972), Dr. Jack Cooke (1972-1977), Dr. Ed Thomas (1978-1982), Dr. Warren Blakeman (1982-1988), Dr. W. Odell Simmons (1988-1989), Dr. Dwight Ramsey (1989-1992), Rev. William D. Peeples (1992-1999), Rev. Steven M. Spurlock (1999-2005), Rev. Kenneth W. Irby (2005-2014), Dr. Greg Davis (2014-2022), and Rev. Dr. Wybra Price (2022-present).
The Path Through United Methodism's Recent Years
In late 2022, like many United Methodist congregations, Broadmoor entered a period of discernment over whether to remain in the United Methodist Church amid national conversations about disaffiliation and human sexuality. A Governance Board subcommittee held fifteen Listening and Learning sessions with Sunday School classes and small groups. Of the 208 surveys returned, 76 percent expressed a desire for Broadmoor to remain United Methodist. In March 2023 the Governance Board voted that Broadmoor would not enter the formal discernment process and would not hold a congregation-wide disaffiliation vote.
Two years later, in April-May 2024, the postponed General Conference met in Charlotte, NC and voted to remove the statement that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching" from the Book of Discipline with more than 90 percent support. The General Conference also removed the disaffiliation paragraph (¶2553), approved a path for churches that had previously disaffiliated to return to the denomination, and approved full communion with the Episcopal Church. Bishop Delores J. Williamston attended her first General Conference as a bishop; her pastoral letter to the church is posted at Broadmoor.
What to Expect When You Visit
Broadmoor sits on Youree Drive at Albany Avenue. From southbound Youree Drive, turn right onto Albany Street; the church is on the left and parking is on the right. Two entrances serve two purposes: the left entrance opens into the Fellowship Area and the Sanctuary; the right entrance serves The River in Anderson Hall and the administrative offices.
Services last about an hour. The dress code is whatever makes a guest comfortable - jeans to suits, sundresses to Sunday best. A professional childcare staff uses the KidCheck system for check-in and check-out during services, and the sanctuary services include a Children's Moment for younger worshipers. Guests are warmly welcomed at the Welcome Center in the Fellowship Area for information about the church.
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, closed Saturday except for special events, and open Sunday from 8:00 AM to noon (with afternoons reserved for special groups and meetings). Services are livestreamed on YouTube, and giving is available online through the Realm giving page.
Support, Counseling, and Recovery
Dr. Wybra Price serves as a certified Spiritual Director on staff; appointments can be arranged by calling the church office. For professional counseling, the church recommends Samaritan Counseling Center, a faith-based practice staffed by licensed professional counselors. Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the church as well.
The People Who Make Broadmoor Run
The clergy team includes Rev. Dr. Wybra Price (Senior Pastor), Rev. Montie' Dobbins (Associate Pastor), and Rev. Hugh Debo (Director of Home Ministries). Ministry directors include Leah Raley (Family and Children's Ministries), Bailey Martin (Youth, Young Adult Ministries and Discipleship), Adam Philley (Music Ministry), Dr. Holly Kordahl (River Worship), Rebecca Hodge (Day School), Jennifer Parker (Early Learning Center), Jessica Calhoun (Broadmoor Buddies), and Rev. Lindy Broderick (Sanctuary Volunteer Coordinator). Communication is led by Director of Communication Kelsi Smith. The Governance Board - elected by a Nominations Committee of church members - oversees the church's temporal and missional life.
Looking Forward
Broadmoor's doors have been open on Youree Drive since 1945, and its life has steadily grown outward: a second worship service in the 1950s, a children's wing, a youth building, weekday schools, a contemporary service born in 2000, mission partnerships with a Russian sister church, Oklahoma Native American ministries, and local Cedar Grove neighbors. The Know, Grow, Go discipleship path offers a clear way forward for anyone walking through the doors for the first time - or the hundredth.