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Our pastor

Rev. Len Ripley

Ballplayer, controller, deputy, and, since 40, a United Methodist pastor.

Len grew up in North Charleston and worked several careers before entering the ministry. He has led congregations across South Carolina and now serves Edisto Island UMC.

Hometown
Park Circle, North Charleston
Education
Baptist College of Charleston; St. Mary's University, Canada
Called to ministry
At age 40
Family
Married to Debra; father and grandfather
Pastor Len Ripley smiling outdoors at sunset
Pastor, Edisto Island United Methodist Church

Before the pulpit

A long way round

Len grew up a few doors down from North Charleston UMC, so church was always close. He went to college on a basketball and music scholarship, then finished his degree in Canada.

After that came a career in finance at Michelin and years in law enforcement. As a deputy and with the North Charleston police, he saw people at their best and their worst. That work shaped his compassion.

  1. College

    Baptist College of Charleston

    Basketball and music scholarship.

  2. College

    St. Mary's University, Canada

    Finished his degree and kept playing ball.

  3. Finance

    Controller, Michelin

    Nova Scotia and South Carolina.

  4. Law enforcement

    Administrative Deputy

    Charleston County Sheriff's Office.

  5. Law enforcement

    North Charleston Police Department

    Joined after his years with the Sheriff's Office.

  6. Ministry

    Candidate for ordained ministry

    Entered candidacy in the United Methodist Church at 40.

  7. Today

    Pastor, Edisto Island UMC

    After leading congregations across South Carolina.

Pastor Len Ripley in his robe beside the altar flowers in the sanctuary
In the sanctuary.

The call

A pull he'd felt since childhood

At 40, Len answered it. He entered candidacy for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church.

His earlier careers shape how he preaches and how he shows up for people in hard seasons. He has served congregations across South Carolina, on Sunday mornings and alongside people who need help during the week.

Faith and family

Husband, father, grandfather

Len is married to Debra, and he's a father and grandfather. Outside of Sunday you'll find him mentoring young leaders, helping with community outreach, or just sharing a laugh.

Len and Debra Ripley smiling in front of a Lowcountry marsh at sunset
Len and Debra.
The Ripley family standing together on a waterfront deck at sunset
The Ripley family.
Len reading a picture book to his granddaughter on the couch
Story time with a granddaughter.
Len and Debra beside a large wooden cross at a misty mountain overlook
At a mountain overlook.

Come say hello

Meet Pastor Len on Sunday

Worship starts at 10:00 every Sunday. Stay after the service and introduce yourself. If you can't make it in person, the service streams live on YouTube.

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