The Bible is filled with tales of strong women who, like Martha, were not only spiritually-minded, but had a passionate servant’s heart. Broadway is blessed to have these amazing qualities in our Church Administrator, Betsy Cherry, who is celebrating her fifth anniversary this month.
Originally hailing from Salisbury, N.C., Betsy holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Mars Hill University, but it was evident that God had another plan for her after she arrived in Louisville. While studying at Southern Seminary, she met her husband Russell, and after completing her Masters of Religious Education in Church Social Work, under Roy Honeycutt’s presidency, they decided to settle permanently in Louisville. Later, they welcomed their son, Chris, who along with his wife, Tory, is now an ordained minister serving in the Louisville area and then welcomed daughter, Amanda, who is a Global Mission Fellow with The United Methodist Church in Mexico City, Mexico.
After many years at Miller Pipe Organ, Betsy joined the Broadway family in 2012. Since then, she has been revered as the spine holding the storybook of Broadway together, overseeing financial matters, the administrative staff, and working daily alongside the Deacons, Trustees, Committees, ministers, vendors as well as all those who utilize the church campus.
Deacon Chair Debby Griffin says she can’t imagine a day at Broadway without Betsy. “The breadth and depth of the knowledge she brings to her position, the efficient and thorough work she lends to every facet of her job, and her gracious, patient manner is and always has been a pleasure to work with.” Debby adds, “We, in the church, have no idea the time Betsy spends to make sure everything is ‘right.’ Under her watch, all financial records are accurate, all personnel records are current, all bills are paid, all documents filed in a timely and complete manner, and all tax records are filed. I can personally testify that the hours she spends beyond her regular work hours are many!”
“During this interim, her role has continued to expand, and her dedication and skills are so important as we continue to lay the groundwork for Broadway’s future,” Personnel Committee Chair and Deacon George Coleman said. You’ll often find Betsy bouncing from one meeting to the next, with a bottle of North Carolina’s famous Cheerwine soda in hand. Her daily to-do list is often larger than an 11x17 sheet of paper. “Her sense of humor lends itself to relieving an often very stressful job,” Debby explains. “I have found her to be a partner, working always for what is best for our church family.”
When not overseeing the daily operations of Broadway, Betsy is an avid reader and both she and Russell share a passion for traveling. “Greece and Iceland have, to date, been my favorite destinations,” she explains. “I love to see how people truly live.”
Please join us in thanking Betsy for all of the hard work she puts into making our church a place to call home for so many!
-George Coleman and Debby Griffin
