Senior Minister Marcus McFaul of Binkley Baptist Church is set to step down from his leadership role with the prominent Chapel Hill church.
McFaul, who has led the Binkley congregation for 12 years, shared a message to the congregation on Sunday saying he plans to retire from church duties in early September before moving back to his home state of Texas and living closer to his family.
“Very few ministers have been as fortunate as I have been,” McFaul wrote in an email message to the Binkley Baptist community. “The last twelve years here with you in ministry found us engaged in meaningful ministries, pastorally and prophetically responding to personal and societal issues, and all along the way forming significant friendships, ties which have bound us inextricably together. As Eugene Peterson once observed: if one is called to it, the pastoral life is the best one possible. That has been true for me. Your care of me through the deaths of both my parents will never be forgotten. And for well over 100 families who mourned the loss of a parent, partner, and friend, it was my distinct privilege to accompany you, to journey alongside you as unbearable sorrow became bearable grief.”
Located off Willow Drive and Fordham Boulevard, Binkley Baptist Church has long held a major role in the Chapel Hill community as the church of many public figures — like Rev. Robert Seymour, former Mayor Howard Lee, and UNC men’s basketball coach and icon Dean Smith. It was Seymour’s sermons and civil rights activism that helped inspire Smith to do more to recruit Black players and better welcome them into the community. Lee turned to the congregation when he arrived to the town as well, using it as a place of solace in the run-up to serving in public office as Chapel Hill’s first Black mayor — which, Lee says, Seymour personally encouraged him to do.
Under McFaul’s leadership, social justice activism continued. As the church and its congregation weathered challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, it used its platform and outdoor space to promote racial justice in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota. The church invited community members to take part in weekly Black Lives Matter demonstrations along Fordham Boulevard, with people holding up signs to the passing traffic. Those Binkley Baptist members who took part also endured intimidation and pushback — with one confrontation ending in assault charges and an arson to the church’s social justice banners later that year.
“That’s why those signs were up there in the first place,” McFaul said at the time about the banners that promoted Black Lives Matter, Vote and Love is Love. “Someone can try to destroy property, but they’re not going to snuff out our resolve. This is who we are.”
Since then, the congregation has sustained its effort and energy around the demonstrations, evolving them to become a monthly “Justice For All” event. The rallies and vigils have recently included focuses on causes like supporting USAID workers amid significant federal funding cuts, peace in Gaza, and the shootings deaths of people by ICE officers. McFaul also represented Binkley in events like Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s LGBTQ+ pride march, interfaith services promoting reproductive rights, and meetings of the Alliance of Baptists organization.
Rev. Marcus McFaul (right, holding sign) marches with other Binkley Baptist Church community members as part of the 2026 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Pride Promenade. (Photo via Binkley Baptist Church.)
Before arriving to Chapel Hill and becoming only the fifth senior pastor for Binkley Baptist, McFaul was raised and ordained in Texas. After starting his ministry in Austin, he led congregations in Indiana and Kansas. When he retires, he will mark nearly 40 years of working as a clergy member.
In his message on Sunday, McFaul said he feels deep gratitude to the Binkley community for supporting each other through “great challenges together” and said he is confident in the church’s ability to find his successor at the pulpit.
“I believe Binkley’s future is incredibly bright because of the mission Binkley pursues, and because all of you passionately and lovingly have a life-wish for the church’s next chapters,” McFaul wrote. “The church’s lay leadership is extraordinarily committed to a vibrant ministry: our staff superbly gifted and graced to lead well and effectively; and God’s good and gracious Spirit promises to go with you. I want to assure you that the Binkley Leadership Team will be in touch with the congregation regarding next steps moving forward. I am grateful for this dedicated group of Binkley leaders.”
McFaul’s final sermon and Sunday service is set for August 30, with his final day in the Binkley Baptist Church’s offices set for Friday, September 4.
Featured photo via Binkley Baptist Church.
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