Our mission is to reach out and
receive people just as they are, and develop disciples of Jesus Christ. We can and have been doing this by providing a variety of educational, spiritual, and social programs that attract new members and retain current members. These programs include, but are not limited to: activities on behalf of and for the youth, the elderly, both active and homebound, middle-age adults, infants and children, families and singles. Emphasis is on Christian fellowship, spiritual growth, Christian education, missions, both home and abroad, physical fitness, counseling, and opportunities for day care.
We support the necessary educational, spiritual, financial, and physical needs of our growing congregation by providing the best possible church operational/program facilities. This includes but may not be limited to a large sanctuary -- educational/recreation plant accessible to the handicapped, a dynamic youth/family counseling center with generous off-street parking and a dedicated team led and directed by committed clergy, staff, and lay people who will help assure the financial resources necessary to accommodate an ever-growing congregation.
- Our current church membership is about 3,000.
- Our average weekly worship attendance is 1,500 (combined).
- Our average weekly Sunday School attendance is 700 (combined).
- About 200 people join our church each year.
- More than 140 youth (grades 5 - 12) are currently participating in our youth groups.
- More than 150 youth and adults are involved in our scouting program.
- More than 200 people participate in our choirs, with five new choirs being formed since our West Facility opened in 1995.
- About 400 people are active in our basketball, volleyball, aerobics, and softball programs.
- More than 250 adults participate in single's activities, support groups, Bible studies, and other adult ministries.
- Since our West facility opened in 1995, attendance at both locations has increased 20%.
- In the past 20 years our church has experienced phenomenal growth -- in 1978 an average of 440 people attended worship services. Since January, 1998, we have been averaging 1,627 people in worship each week.
- We are the largest United Methodist Church in the state of Illinois.
- We have the largest United Methodist Sunday School in a tri-state area.
- Having two different worship centers enables us to meet the physical, mental, relational, vocational, and spiritual needs of all people.
- That Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God who died for our sins and rose from the dead. (I Corinthians 15:1-8).
- That the Bible is the inspired word of God -- a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (2 Timothy 3:16)
- That every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
- That forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord. (John 3:16)
- That those accepting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith and be baptized (Romans 10:9) (Acts 2:38)
- That the church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and exists to save the lost and edify the saved. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
- That Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
- We believe that as a Methodist congregation we are the Body of Christ called to fellowship and service in the Springfield area.
- Our charge is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ, reaching out and receiving people just as they are.
- We are God's servants dedicated to the fulfillment of Christ's great commission; and concerned about all those who do not know, love and serve Christ.
- We believe that helping people relate to God and supporting and nurturing people as they grow in Christian discipleship is the primary task which guides our congregation in mission and ministry to the members of First Church and to the community-at-large.
- We are committed to being a corporate group of Holy Spirit-inspired Christians who allow ourselves to be minds through which Christ can think; hearts through which Christ can love; and hands through which Christ can help.
- We are convinced that Jesus Christ is not merely a supplement that adds a little good to a person's life, but rather, Christ is absolutely essential for salvation, for people being made whole, and for eternal life with God in heaven. People can depend on His supernatural power during the traumatic and/or everyday experiences of life.