Madison Ailinger
Associate Pastor
Office: 757-229-1771 ext 114
Madison Ailinger serves as Associate Pastor at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Her journey into ministry began at age 19 while studying at Virginia Tech, when she experienced a profound call from God that has grounded her ever since. After responding to that call, Madison pursued theological training at Duke Divinity School and, at just 24 years old, became the lead pastor of a church in Staunton, Virginia—earning the distinction of being the youngest pastor their congregation had ever welcomed. In Staunton, she witnessed firsthand God’s mercy and presence through moments of celebration and grief alike, having led worship, preached the Good News, and even officiated 14 funerals in three years. Those experiences reinforced her conviction that, even in the shadow of death, God’s love never abandons us.
Madison’s heart for ministry centers on outreach—especially connecting with young people and those who feel lost or disillusioned. She believes that sharing real stories of transformation—stories of encountering God’s voice, of finding hope beyond hardship, and of discovering that “death has lost its sting”—can invite others into a life-altering relationship with Christ. At WUMC, Madison collaborates with staff and lay leaders to create spaces where individuals of all ages can experience that powerful moment of grace. Whether organizing a youth gathering, leading a community service project, or simply listening to someone’s story over a cup of coffee, she emphasizes that it only takes one God-moment to change everything.
Madison lives in Williamsburg with her husband, Ben, whom she met shortly after answering God’s call and who now serves as both a faithful partner and a fellow believer in outreach. Together, they are keeping a close ear to the stories around them—eager to learn what “breathes life into your soul,” what challenges you’ve overcome, and how God has shown up in unexpected ways.