St. Andrew's United Methodist Church Welcomes New Associate Pastor

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church of Brandon welcomes a new associate pastor, the Rev. Arlinda Burks, who began her position July 1. Burks formerly served as an associate pastor at Trinity United Methodist in Palm Beach Gardens.

She will replace the Rev. Kim Uchimura, who has left St. Andrew's to lead a new home-based church in Valrico.

Burks, an African-American who was raised in the Baptist denomination in Gary, Ind., said she felt somewhat alienated from religion after encountering racism and rejection, not only in the church, but in society.

"I had some experiences that caused me to turn away from the church. I'm sure my pastor must have preached love and forgiveness, but I don't really remember it," she said.

After graduating from high school, Burks attended college but dropped out after obtaining only a few credit hours. She made the decision to enlist in the Navy and was trained as an aircraft electrician while using the GI Bill to obtain her bachelor's degree in education and master's degree in counseling.

During her career in the Navy, Burks also served as a command career counselor, equal opportunity adviser, recruit training company commander and faculty trainer and instructor/facilitator for the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

Burks retired from the Navy in 2000 having served 26 years. Upon retirement she worked as a counselor/academic adviser for the Navy college program and as the Navy college program distance learning coordinator for Florida Community College in Jacksonville.

Burks readily admits that she did not expect to go into the ministry.

"I never cease to be amazed by what God can do and who God will use," she said, recalling the Navy Methodist chaplain she feels led her to understand the doors God was opening in her life.  

"I felt a calling, what I can only describe as a series of experiences. ... God saying, 'This is something I want you to do,' but I fought it kicking and screaming," she said.

"Somehow God saw something in me, and I still find it amazing."

Burks applied to Candler School of Theology in Atlanta and, within 10 days of applying, she learned she would receive a full scholarship.

"When we are obedient to God's call in our life, God provides."

Burks went on to receive her master of divinity degree and served at Trinity United Methodist before being assigned to St. Andrew's. 

She is looking forward to her stay in the Brandon area and said she feels very welcomed by the congregation and the community.

"I believe in the church being actively involved in the community. I want to carry the gospel into the world," Burks said.

"I think people are looking for authenticity. People hear what you say, but they want to see if you're going to live what you say. People are looking for someone to believe in."

From the pulpit, Burks plans to share applicable personal stories and experiences she hopes will teach and inspire people to act for social change.

"We need to stand up for the right thing no matter what the consequences," she stated.

The Rev. Burks' family includes her daughter, Rhoda, and son, Kenneth. She also has two grandchildren, Aaron David and Chloe Danielle.

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church is located at 3315 Bryan Road on the corner of Bloomingdale and Bryan. Call 813-689-6849 for more info.