Vernon UMC reaches out with spirit of Conference priority of new congregations

3/10/2010

Vernon First UMC is blazing new trails in Lamar County of the Southwest District.

Vernon First UMC voted to move forward in starting a satellite church offering Spanish worship to West Alabama. This vote rose out of the SPRC meeting in September of 2009 during which leaders were responding to a question regarding of one of the North Alabama Conference core priorities: “What are you doing to start a new congregation?”

Pastor Tim Bailey says, “In answering that question one of our young leaders said, ‘There’s nothing in Lamar County being done with the Hispanic population.’”

With that vision, work is being done to indentify Hispanic / Latino people in West Alabama who might be interested in this new ministry. The Church has leased a satellite church and has started renovating the space for worship, Bible Study and offering English classes.

Maria Gosa, a local Hispanic woman who has stepped up to join the congregation in this ministry said, “I’ve been praying for something to be done for Hispanics in this area and the United Methodist Church called me to help with this ministry.”

Administrative Council Chairperson David Gilmer says, “Everything is falling into place effortless because we are doing what God wants us to do.”

The vision statement of Vernon First UMC is “To be a Christ-Centered Church Reaching Out with LOVE and CARE”.

“Reaching out to a group that no one is reaching out to seem to be the natural thing to do as the Body of Christ in living out our vision statement,” adds Rev. Bailey. “Vernon First UMC is ‘Stepping out in Faith, instead of stepping back in fear’ to make more disciples for Jesus Christ.

If you would like more information about this ministry contact Rev. Tim Bailey at pastorvfumc@centurytel.net  or (205) 695-7566 or Maria Gosa at mfgosa@yahoo.com  or (205) 431-7838.
 

Comments

1. David Commer wrote on 3/10/2010 12:58:13 AM
Thanks for the encouraging news! Please keep us posted on this ministry.
2. Bill Phares wrote on 3/11/2010 8:17:14 AM
Good News! May your ministry continue to be blessed by the Lord.
3. Paul Peeples wrote on 3/12/2010 9:54:38 PM
Tim, we are proud of you and your Church for taking a step of Faith, to begin a Hispanic Ministry. I have been to Mexico on Mission Trips and preached there and was Blessed to see many people come to know the Lord. God Bless you and your Church.
4. Kathy Griffith wrote on 3/12/2010 11:05:53 PM
Oh, I am so thankful, Tim. There is a need here in Fayette and Lamar County for this. May God bless you and this ministry. Please continue to pray with me about the recovery program idea as well.
5. Wes Savage wrote on 3/14/2010 7:46:13 PM
This is great news! We will be in prayer for this new ministry.