Today we’d like to introduce you to Vance Haywood.
Hi Vance, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has always been rooted in a deep desire to serve and to make space for people who’ve been pushed to the margins. I began my professional life in emergency services — first as an EMT and later as a Chief and Director — where I learned how systems can either save lives or fail people entirely. That experience shaped how I see community: when someone is struggling, it’s not their failure; it’s a call for the rest of us to step up.
Over time, that calling expanded from physical emergencies to spiritual and social ones. I found myself drawn into ministry, eventually serving as the Senior Pastor at St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church here in Raleigh. Our congregation has a long legacy of radical inclusion — serving and celebrating LGBTQ+ people and others often excluded by traditional churches. My theology shifted from one centered on rules and fear to one grounded entirely in love, justice, and liberation.
Out of that same spirit, we created The Bryant Center, a low-barrier shelter and drop-in center that provides safety, dignity, and community for people experiencing homelessness. What started as a White Flag cold-weather shelter has grown into a year-round operation serving hundreds of people each week — not just with a bed, but with belonging.
Today, my work weaves together faith, justice, and practical compassion. Whether preaching on Sunday, coordinating emergency shelter on a freezing night, or advocating at the General Assembly, local government, or Capitol Hill, my goal is the same: to remind people that every life is sacred, and that love — when put into action — can literally save lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve learned that the rough parts are often where the most growth happens.
In both ministry and community work, I’ve faced resistance for being openly gay and unapologetically inclusive. There have been seasons where living out a gospel of radical love meant standing in pulpits or community meetings where not everyone wanted to listen. But I’ve found that persistence, grace, and authenticity have a way of changing hearts over time.
Starting The Bryant Center was also full of challenges, from navigating funding gaps to building trust with neighbors and agencies, and simply keeping the doors open when the need was overwhelming. During those early days, there were times we didn’t know if we’d have enough resources to operate through the week, but we kept showing up. The community’s response, once they saw the work firsthand, became one of our greatest blessings.
Personally, balancing compassion with boundaries has been a lifelong lesson. When you care deeply about people in crisis, it’s easy to take on too much. I’ve had to learn how to rest, delegate, and trust the incredible teams around me.
So no, it hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has reaffirmed what I believe: that love is resilient, community is powerful, and hope is worth the work.
We’ve been impressed with St John’s MCC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church is more than a church; it is a community built on radical love, justice, and belonging. For more than fifty years, we have stood as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community in Raleigh and beyond; a place where people who were once told they did not belong in church discovered that God’s love has no limits.
From the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, St. John’s opened its doors and its heart when others turned away. We became a place where people could find care, dignity, and compassion when fear and stigma were at their highest. Many of our members still remember those years; the hospital visits, the memorial services, and the deep commitment to stand with our community through unimaginable loss. That legacy continues to shape who we are today.
Our calling has always been to create safe and sacred space for everyone to belong, no matter who they are or where they are on their journey. We see our work as both spiritual and practical; from worship and pastoral care to programs that meet real needs in our community. Through The Bryant Center, our drop-in and emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness, we extend that same spirit of welcome to those who have been left out or forgotten.
What sets St. John’s apart is our unwavering belief that faith must be lived out through love. We are known for showing up, at Pride events, in city council meetings, on the streets, and in moments of crisis; because that is where love calls us to be. Our brand, if you can call it that, is simple but powerful: creating spaces where everyone can experience belonging, healing, and the sacred truth that they are loved just as they are.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are many ways to get involved. At St. John’s MCC and The Bryant Center, everything we do depends on people coming together with open hearts. Volunteers can help serve meals, support shelter operations, or spend time connecting with our guests. We also welcome partnerships with other churches, organizations, and local businesses that share our commitment to compassion and inclusion.
Financial support is another meaningful way to help. Every gift allows us to keep the shelter open, provide essential services, and meet people where they are with dignity and care.
Most of all, we invite people to share our story. When you tell others about a church and community that truly welcomes everyone, you help create a culture of belonging. If you believe that everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and loved, there is a place for you here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stjohnsmcc.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsmcc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StJohnsMCC
- Other: https://wakewhiteflag.org
