At SFUMC our mission of “SERVING GOD BY BEING DISCIPLES FOR JESUS CHRIST” is further defined in the mission statement of our Memphis/Tennessee Conference which is to, “DISCOVER, EQUIP, CONNECT AND SEND LAY AND CLERGY LEADERS WHO SHAPE CONGREGATIONS THAT OFFER JESUS TO A HURTING WORLD, ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AT A TIME”.

At this church, we believe that the work of the Holy Spirit is in four continuous steps.

The first step is that of VISUALIZING. It is here that God, by way of the Holy Spirit leads disciples of Jesus to Discover God’s purpose.

The second step is that of STRATEGIZING. It is at the point Spirit filled disciples make plans and are Equipped with the tools necessary to accomplish God’s purpose.

The third step is that of MOBILIZING. Jesus clearly illustrated the importance of the church being a body of individual believers Connected in such a way that reveals to a hurting world God’s purpose in the many parts becoming one in body of Christ Jesus we know as the Church.

The fourth step is that of EVANGELIZING. In Luke 10:2 Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” At this level clergy and lay alike have already discovered God’s purpose, been equipped with the gifts to accomplish it, connected with God and one another to become a Spirit empowered force fully capable of fulfilling the Lord’s Great Commission. go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matt. 28:16).

At this church we have more than 50 persons who have dedicated the last quarter of this year to and in-depth examination of that first step – VISUALIZING To DISCOVER the individual as well as collective plans God has already set in motion.

I am reminded of God’s promises “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”(Phil. 1:6). “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11).

God will finish what He starts. He will not quit on us. God plans the best for us. We would love for you to come and be a part of what God is doing at Selmer First Methodist Church. Come and take an inside look at what God is doing here. I am certain you will experience God’s grace and love.

God is so very welcome in this place and so are you; be intentional, get involved!