Making a joyful noise
In November, Martha’s Chapel celebrated 100 years of ministry in Deville, LA — and now they’re headed into the next 100, with new members and new ministries to their community.

The church began in a schoolhouse in 1907 and relocated to its current facility in the 1940s. The building had its last major addition (a fellowship hall) in 1978. To celebrate their centennial, current and former members and friends gathered for a weekend of Full Story...

Stop. And start.
“God stopped us,” says Pastor Keith Cowart of Christ Community Church (CCC) in Columbus, GA. The congregation purchased 26 acres and had plans to build and relocate this year. Suddenly, Cowart and his board felt deeply that the timing just wasn’t right. “God had something He wanted to do in us before releasing us to move ahead with this project,” he says. Full Story...

Whole in one
At Springs Christian Fellowship (Stockton, CA), the community is invited to play nine holes of golf — putting from Genesis to Revelation. Each hole highlights a part of the Bible story and the mini-golf balls glow in the dark. We hear that the ninth hole is paved with gold — golden carpet, that is!

Total commitment
In June, when Aaron and Sarah Keller and their 1-year-old son arrived at Osborne FMC (KS), the congregation numbered 25 to 30, mostly retirees. There was a definite age gap between the group and their new pastoral family but the church soon showed its total commitment to its young pastor.

They moved the Kellers into a rental and began raising money for a parsonage. The first Sunday an anonymous donor gave Full Story...

Will we answer the call?
Connecting, inspiring, resourcing and supporting. These are the four main goals of the National FM Hispanic Network — a vibrant, growing organization.

“The future growth of the Free Methodist Church depends on how we reach Latino communities” says Network Director Guillermo Flores (elected during General Conference 2007 to succeed Gonzalo Cruz). “The denomination must be intentional Full Story...

Shoe-be-do-be-do ...
Moundford FMC (Decatur, IL) collected 2,000 pairs of shoes for distribution to the poor in Sudan, Kenya and the United States. A local newspaper story added 500 pairs to the pile. Got shoes? Visit www.Soles4Souls.org to give.

A tisket a tasket ...
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Warrensburg FMC (NY) distributed 20 turkey dinner baskets to local residents. Under the direction of Caroline Fuller, pastor of visitation, women from the church gathered to assemble and distribute the many items lovingly donated by the congregation.

Loving New Yorkers
“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day” (Acts 26:22 KJV). I suppose Paul’s sentiment accurately sums up our story at Brooklyn First FMC (NY). We are extremely grateful to Jesus for His faithfulness to us for over 125 years, manifested in the many congregants and pastors who have ministered Christ’s love to generations of New Yorkers in the throes of political, social and spiritual change. Yet in the midst of it all, they heard and heeded Christ’s call to go; and because of their obedience we Full Story...

Pay it forward
At Greenville FMC (IL), they take stewardship seriously. In fact, they’re signing up to go back to school so they can “master” it — by repeatedly offering Financial Peace University (FPU) classes. Graduates of the 13-week course are giving it rave reviews … as are their pocketbooks and budgets! Fact is, the savings go way beyond the home front.

Singles, single moms, young marrieds, engaged and Full Story...

Ride, ride, ride your bike ...
Twenty-three riders (and three walkers) from Melody Hill FMC (Evansville, IN) rode a combined 151 miles and raised over $1,300 for Umri Christian Hospital, an FM institution in India. The youngest rider was 7 1/2 months, the oldest 65. Two children rode 20 miles each.

A time to remember
Just as the Bible provides a welcome glimpse into the histories and mysteries of lives lived for God, the denomination is capturing — on VHS and DVD — the recollections of certain saints so that those who come after can experience the surrounding of so great a cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1).

The Oral History Project, conducted under the auspices Full Story...