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The Harley is for sale. Sad day, but we’ve had a good 22-year run. I’ve put about 18,000 miles on the old ’99, most of those with Amy in the brake position (rear seat, knees on my hips, squeezing: Slow down in this turn!) Along those miles, I only went down one time, that at about 20 mph. (Lesson to self: go easy on the front brakes if the pavement is wet!). If anyone is interested, let me know. I’ll make you a deal. (And, yes, Beth, I know… Mark is not interested (even though he did give it a long, envious look, sitting in the back of my truck on Sunday!))

We have no room in the new garage. So, she’ll have to go… but, just for good measure, I put the old Hog in the back of the truck and drove to Sugar Grove, VA after church and the Pride Band concert on Sunday. That’s in the Grayson Highlands area of the Appalachians – wow! If you haven’t been… don’t walk, run… or, better yet, take a Harley!

There are inherent dangers. Yes, I know. “Donorcycle” the doctors like to call it. I get it. But let me tell you that there is no better way to see the back roads of the country. You know what kind of fans Amy and I have become of the walking pilgrimage, and that’s a great way to experience the world – but add just a little wind in your hair (that’s a metaphor, since I don’t have any hair… and wouldn’t ride without a helmet even if I did!), but, add a little wind, and you’ve just entered a new dimension of life.

The sights, the smells, the turns, physically leaning in, feeling the power beneath you, a different kind of power all around you… Wow. There’s nothing like it. Yes, there’s a risk – but it’s risk/reward. Isn’t all of life?

All the best success stories seem to involve someone who takes risks. They’re talking a lot about Ted Turner these days, the CNN founder, who recently died… used his own money to finance the cable channel that changed everything about how we get our news. Risk/reward. Cast your bread upon the water, and after many days it will return to you… (Ecclesiastes 11). Play it safe. You won’t get much back. In one of his parables, Jesus commends the servant who invested the master’s 10 talents (risking losing it all) and scolded the fearful one who buried his 1 talent in the back yard (Matthew 25). Risk/reward.

It’s the same with a small(ish) south Charlotte church that will venture into a $9 million vision. Nine million dollars. You know that’s big for us, don’t you? You know a lot of people would think we’re foolish, don’t you? Yep. Risk/reward.

But just like the Harley, I’ll take my chances. I’m betting on the church with gumption and vision and savvy and courage – a healthy appetite for betting big on the future. On Sunday, May 31, you’ll get your chance to cast your vote for or against, and if we vote to affirm “Building. Community.” the more important vote will be when we put our money where our mouths are. $3,000,000 from Park Road – the other $6m from outside, corporate investors.

On May 31, you’ll be voting for or against: Building. Community. – with its 5 Directives (Mission: Affordable Child Care, Outreach for Growth, Valuing Our Staff, Facilities and Campus Needs, Spiritual Discovery) the $3-million capital campaign that will fund it, and the creation of three committees that will be necessary for this work: Building, Capital Campaign, and Bylaws/501(c)(3).

If you still have questions about this Vision, please contact one of the ministers or a member of the Vision Team (Hugh Ashcraft, Kathleen Carriere, Darin Gantt, Paula Knight, Brian Smyth, Joanne O’Brien Beam) and come on May 31 to cast your bread upon our common waters.

The bike is for sale. Ugh. But, there’s always the rental option – I’m not sure I can completely rid myself of a little risk. The reward is just too great! -Russ

Park Road’s final Book-A-Palooza at Starmount Academy of Excellence for the 2025–2026 school year is on Friday, June 5. We will set up on Thursday afternoon, June 4. We still need volunteers on both days. We have been partnering with Starmount for several years now; it is a Title I school with an enrollment that is over 70% Hispanic. Kids will be allowed to choose five books of their choice for free from the inventory we have. The kids’ excitement at receiving these books is indescribable! It will thrill your hearts!

Click here to volunteer: Book Drive Volunteers: Book-A-Palooza - June 2026

Following worship this past Sunday, our Vision Team leadership hosted a final Q&A session. If any questions remain, please reach out to one of the ministers or to our Vision Team co-chairs, Paula Knight and Brian Smyth. At the conclusion of worship on May 31, we will have a brief church conference to entertain a vote on the vision plan called, “Building. Community.”

Voting for the motion includes an affirmation of the following:

  “Building. Community.” Five directives:

• Mission: Affordable Child Care 
• Outreach for Growth 
• Valuing Our Staff  
• Facilities and Campus Needs
• Spiritual Discovery     

   Creation of related committees:



•  Capital Campaign
•  Building
•  501c3/Bylaws (for required changes)

   Capital Campaign: $3,000,000

This month’s Mission Offering supports a feeding program at our sister church, Resurrection Baptist Church, in Carlos Rojas, Cuba, where the church is currently feeding about 200 people each week. We recently received this heartfelt note from Pastor Mileidys Garcias Arias, expressing gratitude for the prayers, generosity, and ongoing support shared by the Park Road family throughout our more than 20-year partnership.

“Good morning, Park Road family. Today we want to thank God for your lives and ministries, and also for each family that is part of this beautiful family.

Our feelings cannot be conveyed in a small message because words would not be enough to thank you for everything you do for us, your accompaniment from a distance that allows us to feel that we are not alone, your love in sharing everything you can, sharing with us at all times more than medicines, more than money. You are sharing your time, your effort, your work, your unconditional love.

God bless you always and reward you.

Thank you for your prayers and for so much love. Your spiritual and physical support reminds us every day that we have a great family on the other side of the sea. A big hug from a distance for everyone.

Our church thanks you, loves you, prays for you, and we hope in God that we will meet again.



God be with everyone.”

— Mileidys Garcias Arias

Please join us, on June 3, for our First Wednesday meal and time together around the tables. In our increasingly isolated world, it’s great to have time together, sharing a meal and fellowship face to face. That’s what families do! Please email to make your dinner reservation by Tuesday, June 2, at noon at info@parkroadbaptist.org, or sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday.

I try to mix up our eating opportunities -- some ethnic options, some American cuisine, some casual, and the occasional fine(r) dining experience. That will be us for this next time out. On Friday, June 5, we'll enjoy the ambiance and the finery of the new Laurel Park restaurant in South Park (4201 Congress St., Unit 190). It's not coat-and-tie for lunch, but you may not want to wear your overalls, either! The menu looks wonderful, and if the weather is good, we're hoping for patio seating. Please let us know if you're coming — whether you're riding with us (11:15 a.m.) or joining us there (11:30 a.m.). We need a complete count, so please RSVP by emailing the church office at info@parkroadbaptist.org or by signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday mornings. I'm looking forward to it!  -Russ

Volunteers are needed (and welcome!) at the last Snack Packing event of the school year on Tuesday morning, June 2, from 9:00 until 10:30 in the Youth Building. This initiative supports 100 of our young friends at Starmount Academy of Excellence who are in need of a little nutritional boost each month. If you would like to help with this project, please reach out to Karen Mayer at kmayer57@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for your support!

Join us for Thirsty Third Thursday THIS Thursday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m. at Rhino Market & Deli in South Park for a relaxed evening of conversation, connection, and community. Please note that Rhino Market has multiple locations, so be sure to head to the South Park spot at 4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209, conveniently located across from Village Tavern. We hope to see you there!

Join us for the next session of PRU’s Ways to Pray: Creativity as Spiritual Practice on Sunday, June 7, at 1:00 p.m., with an optional lunch together at 12:30 p.m. This hands-on workshop explores creative practices as meaningful ways to connect with God through prayer and reflection.

Please RSVP by Sunday, May 31, to help with planning and materials preparation. You may contact the church office, info@parkroadbaptist.org, or sign up on the sheet in Helt Hall beginning this Sunday.

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

Baccalaureate Sunday

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7th! We will honor our graduates in worship on Baccalaureate Sunday and have some time to celebrate alongside them in the community center following the service (12:10–1:00 p.m.). These seniors have been an integral part of the life and story of Park Road, and we are so excited for all the places, near and far, they will go in this next chapter! Join us to celebrate them right before they graduate!

This years graduates are:


• Clara Kinney (Will be attending App State University)
• Carter Erwin (Will be attending East Carolina University)
• Jacob Barner (Will be attending UNC Charlotte)
• Bruce Vestal (Will be attending NC State University)
• Sophia Terry (Will be attending Baylor University)

Unidiversity is Almost Here!

UniDiversity is quickly approaching. Students have already received the seminar and elective choices this week (students choose 2 seminars and 1 elective to participate in during the week) and need to give Caleb their selections by May 17th. If you have not paid yet, the cost for camp is $350 and can be paid by check or online. For questions please contact Caleb .

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.

Families: Summer Plans Are Coming Soon!

Last year, I learned that less is more in our summer schedule, so this year I’ve decided to keep it simple. We have a week of Youth Camp and a week of Kids Camp, but we will also look to do a family day out at the lake in August, as well as a church-wide outing to the Charlotte Pride parade. We will also look to do a trip to Carowinds and a movie night! Be on the lookout for the summer calendar coming soon! - Caleb

Camp Prism Is Almost Here!

Camp Prism is almost here. We have eleven 3rd–5th graders already signed up and ready to go this year. Registration closes May 25th, so sign up now if you haven’t yet. The cost for the week is $175 and includes all meals and lodging.For questions or more information please contact 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)