REV. LEANNE BURRIS

"My observations have led me to think that adaptive leadership, spiritual warfare and global growth all contribute to conflict, and conflict isn't necessarily bad! I am praying that the conflicts we experience become a catalyst for us to be more filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by God's purposes.  Each week at the communion table we pray, "May we be one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world until Christ comes again in glory." - Rev. Leanne Burris

Rev. Leanne Burris is the pastor at The Bridge United Methodist Church.

Three years ago, Rev. Leanne Burris accepted the task of starting a new church. The Bridge was born through her faith and leadership. Leanne has the gift of being able to take us through a geography lesson, a vocabulary lesson, and a history lesson all while preaching the gospel, connecting the Old Testament to the New Testament, and making relevant applications for everyday life. She allows God to use her in ways that most of us would not be able to comprehend.

She has been serving the United Methodist Church as an elder since she was ordained in 2006. Leanne served as associate for five and a half years at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs.  She was then appointed as associate pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport. In 2016 Bishop Swanson asked her to plant a church on the gulf coast.

Her husband Cliff is also a United Methodist Church elder and they have been in ministry together in one form or another for twenty years. Together they have 4 children, Josh, Jon, Zoe, and Joel, plus a four-legged companion named Winston. The Burris’ spend weekends going to see action movies, singing karaoke in the family room, or watching the Saints play football. They vacation most often with Leanne’s extended family in Disney World or Cliff’s extended family on the family farm in Summit. Leanne says it’s been good day when she has fish for dinner, a good book to read, and sand in her shoes. It’s a great day when those experiences are shared with others.

She looks forward to making the connection with you!