MISSION STATEMENT

The Mission of our church is to profess God's loving grace to all people through Christian caring; freedom of interpretation in matters of faith; and service to God, our community and beyond.

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The history of Methodism in Jacksboro is closely tied to the history of Texas and the westward history of the United States.  First United Methodist Church (FUMC) continues to reflect a passionate embrace of the generations of saints who established a church here in the eastern edges of west Texas, by both acknowledging our roles in celebrating the creation of God from which our blessings flow, and by implementing the humanitarian and technological programs necessary to being a vital part of the body of Christ in the 21st century.

We are a church with a colorful past, a transforming present, and an exciting future.  You are invited to meet, get acquainted, and join us in making a difference for Jesus Christ in this part of God's kingdom on earth.

We consider ourselves to be an out-reaching, participating, and enthusiastic part of our community, our country, and our North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Our programs are inclusive, personal, and designed to do two things:

1. Make disciples for Jesus Christ, and

2. Alleviate suffering

Making disciples for Jesus Christ

We are committed to the Wesleyan understanding of God's grace in the world and in our lives.  We focus on re-presenting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to others through a traditional form of worship, through Bible study and education, and through encouraging inter-personal relationships and experiences, all under the umbrella of Christ's invitation to "Follow Me."

Sunday school classes for all age groups, and small-group fellowships are on-going and lively parts of FUMC programs.  Youth fellowship, United Methodist Women, and active participation in community and conference activities are among the nurturing programs of fellowship that are encouraged.  Musical activities, reading and study groups, quilting and sewing activities, and numerous special projects all reveal to those participating, their roles as recipients of  God's grace and love and as messengers of God's grace and love.

Bible study groups meet throughout the year and are designed to both introduce the Bible and to dig more deeply into the Bible's revealing depths.

The United Methodist Church is a church of "Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors."   Our local fellowship, we believe, reflects Jesus Christ's acceptance of all persons, wherever they may be on the path of discipleship.

It is our continuing purpose to provide programs and opportunities to further discipleship based on an ever-increasing love and understanding of Jesus Christ.

Alleviate Suffering

Through the Stephen Ministry, local jail outreach, pastoral care (lay and ordained), and active community participation in such projects as the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and child-advocacy programs, we recognize that we are vehicles and tools in Gods plan for the kingdom of God on earth.

We are generous with our gifts and our time, extended to those locally and globally in need.  We participate in and seek opportunities to support our conference in disaster response, health and education outreach, and other mission activities.  Locally, we participate in support to the schools, cooperating assistance with other community churches, and many other service projects.

Stephen Ministry trains lay persons to offer pastoral care to care receivers in need of spiritual friends.  Our team of ten Stephen Leaders and Ministers meets one-on-one with elderly, ill, lonely, incarcerated, or other needing persons to offer listening ears and hearts, guidance, and prayer.