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I’m walking a lot these days. Early morning miles to get ready for our pilgrimage along the Via Francigena in Tuscany, and these cool mornings remind me why we fell in love with pilgrimage as spiritual discipline.

The world is alive. You can’t smell honeysuckle driving by it at 60 mph – and you can’t miss it on foot. All the contours and hues are a blur – unless you can stop any time you like just to get a closer look. The air condition will keep you cool – but it’s no match for this morning’s 48-degree freshness.

When I walk, I feel like I’m back on the Camino. I notice everything – all the creeks I cross within two miles of our new house, the variety of flora and fauna, the smells, the architecture, the horizon. Walking in Spain, every view was worthy: “Wow, look at that brick archway!” “On the horizon – that town, that’s where we’re going.” “Look at all the poppies, what amazing color!” If you walk in Charlotte, and if pay attention, maybe imagine you’re here as a guest, it’s all the same.

I leave our house each morning, headed out for a 4-mile walk. It’s downhill the first full mile to the shopping center on the corner. I had no idea, until I turned to walk back home that first time – who knew, it’s all uphill!? Not far from the entrance to our new neighborhood, I can see that shopping center on the horizon, and it reminds me of walking the hills in Galicia and spotting the destination, a few miles away. As I walk, I notice everything, and the step-by-step realization makes the world come alive. Every smell. Every step. Every sight.

Amy and I have now walked along El Camino de Santiago three times: 75 miles, 150 miles, and finally the full 555-mile path from France, over the Pyrenees, across northern Spain, to the Cathedral of St. James and then on to the western coast. It’s become another one of “our things,” so, we set our sights on Italy. The full Via Francigena is 1,000 miles, from the Canterbury Cathedral in London, across England, France, the Swiss Alps and Italy – but the route through Tuscany is supposed to be the highlight.

So, Tuscany beckons, and there will be 18 of us walking together again, bound ultimately for Rome. We will walk for six days, pausing to tour both Lucca and Sienna. Then we’ll take a train to the outskirts of Rome, and from there we’ll trek the final 13-miles until the façade of St. Peter’s Cathedral comes into view.

But, as I said, this has become another of “our things” – like skiing and camping and riding the Harley (not something for me alone), so, with her life-altering diagnosis, what will we do? From the beginning, Amy insisted that we will not miss this, and though she’s still walking fairly well, she’s not going to be able to walk 75 miles, so she had decided to stay on the van and just join the group at the end of each day. I could not imagine walking it without her, however, so I’ve settled on a rugged all-terrain wheelchair, and for the next two months I’ll be training... to push.



I’ve lined up our son, Bennett, in case I need some extra “horsepower” – but I’m hoping when we get to St. Peter’s this will be another of “our things,” in the books. Seventy-five miles across Italy. Every step. Every smell. Every sight, up close and personal.

I’ll push – but we’ll need you to keep pulling for us, with your continued prayers and support. I'll push. You pull. Tuscany, here we come! - Russ

We usually set the first Sunday of each month as a reminder to bring food for our little food box on Ashcraft Lane. For April, the first Sunday fell on Easter, and we must have gotten distracted by all the Easter hoopla. Our inventory is down. The last time we made a big push for food, you all came through in a big way! Thank you! Here we are mid-April, and our supplies are low. Will you do it again—make food appear and overflow our stocking shelves? Bring food on any Sunday or any day of the week to the office (Tuesday–Friday 8:30–2:00pm). Self-opening cans are especially helpful, as well as canned meats. We have a large supply of canned beans already, so don't stock up on those this time. This is such an important ministry and one that everyone can participate in by just buying a few extra non-perishables with every grocery store trip.

One more weekend of work and Jennifer’s house should be completed! We have reserved Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 to travel once more to Rollins, NC and, hopefully, finish the house. Once again, the Neeriemers are generously making their home available for lodging, and food will be provided.

Whether you can come for one day, the whole weekend, or even stay into Monday, your help is greatly appreciated. There are jobs remaining for both skilled and unskilled workers, so please come and join us as you’re able. Let Russ or Dan know that you’re coming so that we can plan accordingly.

For those who are available, there is also an open invitation to stay Sunday night and continue working through Monday. Some people are already planning to do so, and the Neeriemers have graciously shared that their home will also be available for Sunday night.

Our next Fun Food Friday will be on May 1st at The Painted Rooster in Plaza Midwood. We will meet at the church at 11:15 a.m. to carpool together, or you can meet us at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. After lunch, we’ll head over to Austin Seagraves’ home for dessert, generously provided by Austin, and to visit her backyard plant nursery. You may want to save a little room in your budget, as Austin will have plants available for purchase!

Please RSVP by emailing the church office at info@parkroadbaptist.org or by signing up in Helt Hall. We hope you’ll join us for another fun outing!

Join us on Wednesday, May 6, for our First Wednesday meal and time of fellowship around the tables. Dinner will be served at 5:30 PM, offering a chance to slow down, share a meal, and enjoy being together as a church family.

As part of the evening, we will also host one of our upcoming Vision Q&A sessions at 6:00 PM in the Community Center. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the vision for Park Road, hear about key ministry priorities, and ask questions as we look toward the future together.

Please make your dinner reservation by Tuesday, May 5 at noon by emailing info@parkroadbaptist.org, or sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday.

Common Ground is rolling—come check us out! I’ve spent the better part of the spring scouring distribution warehouses, imitating interior design, and following assembly instructions for more furniture than I know what to do with, but it’s been a blast organizing, outfitting, and preparing a space for community to blossom. As we have mentioned before, we’ve had a great start to our Common Ground class, with great coffee, rich discussion, and joyous fellowship.

There is something special about preparing a space for others, as well as finding a place for you. It is important to note that this is not a group that has an age limit; it’s a space for anyone looking for a way into deeper community within Park Road. So, if you like coffee and good conversation, and do not have a connection group already, this space is for you, no matter your age!

It’s not too late to join us, as Common Ground will continue to meet May 3rd, 10th, and 17th (we will not meet this week, as everyone is encouraged to attend the Vision Team Q&A in Milford Chapel) before we break for the summer!

The Park Road University series, “Ways to Pray: Creativity as Spiritual Practice,” will now begin Sunday, May 3—and it’s not too late to join! Led by Missy Solomon, this series invites participants to explore simple, creative approaches to prayer beyond words, offering meaningful ways to deepen spiritual life—no artistic experience needed, just an open heart and willingness to try something new.

Workshops will be held Sunday afternoons (1:30–3:30 PM) in Room Community Center Room 503, with an optional lunch at 1:00 PM (details provided upon RSVP). All other dates and details remain the same. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 29 to revmissysolomon@gmail.com or info@parkroadbaptist.org.

My name is Rebecca Lewis. My husband, Sam, and I have been members of Park Road since 2021. We have lived in the Ballantyne area for the past seven years. Our son, Cooper, loves the nursery life and making new little friends at Park Road!

We are very excited about what the future holds for our children’s ministry. I am a member of the choir as well as a deacon, and I look forward to serving the Park Road families.



I currently teach music part-time at Smart Diehl Academy in Mint Hill, NC, and I also run a full-time Mary Kay business as an Independent Beauty Consultant. I love my flexible schedule and getting to be home with our son, Cooper.

Mileidys, the pastor of Resurrection Baptist Church, expresses her gratitude for the money that we sent her several months ago because she was able to buy nonperishable food to have in reserve and now the prices are much higher, and the need is much greater. The church is continuing to grow with so many attending that they do not have enough chairs. She is very thankful that in addition to the many children, young people are also attending.  They recently celebrated their 75^th anniversary with special guests and performances by the children and a very special Easter service. 

She writes that “in the midst of all of the shortages, the uncertainty of what the future holds, the hardships of daily life, the church is alive, preaching the word of hope, accompanying everyone that we can, feeding more than two hundred people a week, children and adults, celebrating our faith in different ways every day”. She goes on to say, “we are shaken in many ways, and we continue standing, believing, serving, accompanying and giving everything for the other person”. The church is very fortunate to have a strong group of lay leaders and other helpers who help with the rapidly growing needs of this ministry.  Their church is definitely a place of community, strength, hope and love for each other in these extremely uncertain times. 



In addition to her gratitude for the financial aid and the items that we send them, Mileidys and the people of the church are most grateful for the strong relationship between our two churches. They pray for us and they know that we pray for them.   If you would like to make a donation to send funds to them, you can do it in whatever way you give your offering to the church, just indicate that it is for Cuba.

Last week, the CDC enjoyed many fun activities to celebrate the Week of the Young Child. Friday was Superhero Day, and the children certainly dressed the part!

*Youth - are students who will complete grades 6th– 12th during the 2025-2026 school year.

Unidiversity: July 6-10

We're headed back to Maryville, TN for everyones favorite

week. Contact Caleb for

more information.

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview
• Sunday Evenings, 5:30-7p - SNT

*Children - are students who will complete grades K– 5th during the 2025-2026 school year.

Camp Prism: Exploring God’s Big World

Camp Prism is for all kids who have completed 3rd–5th grade. This year, we will be exploring creation and how we’re all bound together in God’s great big world. To learn more, email caleb@parkroadbaptist.org

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings 9:45-10:45am Children's Sunday School (K-5th)
• Sunday Mornings 10am-12pm Nursery
• First Wednesdays 5:30pm Dinner/6pm Children's Midweek - The first Wednesday of each month.

Coming Up at Park Road

• Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person - 11am

(Sancutary)

• Sundays

Pickleball - 7:15pm

(Community Center - Gym)

• First Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

5:30pm Dinner / 6pm Vespers

(Community Center - Gym)

• First and Third Tuesdays

Bible Study and Fellowship - 10am

(Community Center - Room 503)

• Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise - 9am

(Community Center - Gym)