Our Story: Faith for the Journey Ahead

Every church has a story. Ours began with a simple prayer.

On May 18, 2023, thirteen people gathered together seeking God's guidance. There was no building, no budget, no staff, and no guarantee of what would happen next. What we did have was a shared conviction that God was calling us to start something new in Elgin, Texas.

That evening, we made the decision to launch a new Global Methodist congregation.

Within days, God began opening doors. Bethlehem Lutheran Church graciously welcomed us by offering the use of their fellowship hall, and invitations went out to friends and family who shared a passion for Christ and His Church.

On May 21, 2023, just three days after that first prayer gathering, we held our very first worship service. Fifty-seven people showed up. Together, we worshiped, prayed, sang, and celebrated what God was beginning among us. The offering that day provided more than enough to cover our facility expenses and became the first financial foundation of our new church.

As the congregation continued to grow, our friends at Bethlehem Lutheran continued to show extraordinary generosity. Just a few months later, they adjusted their own worship schedule so that we could begin meeting in their sanctuary each Sunday morning. For the next three years, they graciously shared their facilities with us. We will always be grateful for their hospitality, kindness, and generosity during those foundational years of our church's life.

God also provided faithful leadership. Pastor Greg Long came out of retirement to serve as our pastor during those early years. His steady guidance, wisdom, and love for Christ helped establish a strong foundation for our congregation, and we remain deeply grateful for his ministry among us.

On July 30, 2023, the congregation officially voted to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church. By then, we had already experienced remarkable growth, and the momentum continued as more people found a church home centered on biblical truth, vibrant worship, authentic community, and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

In 2025, we began searching for the next pastors God was preparing for our congregation. Through prayer, discernment, and the guidance of Presiding Elder Matt Pennington and the Mid-Texas Annual Conference, we met many gifted candidates. Then, in June 2025, we met Erik and Stephanie Smallwood.

From the beginning, there was a strong sense that God was bringing us together for His purposes. On July 1, 2025, Erik and Stephanie began serving as Co-Lead Pastors of Elgin Methodist Church, ushering in a new season of ministry, discipleship, and outreach.

A New Season, A New Home

Today, God is writing another exciting chapter in our story.

As our congregation has continued to grow, we have entered a new season of ministry, transitioning from Bethlehem Lutheran Church to a temporary worship home at Down Home Ranch. We are deeply thankful for the generosity of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the role they played in helping us establish our congregation. Their hospitality gave us a place to begin, grow, and build a foundation for the future. We will always look back on those years with gratitude.

Now, God is opening the door to something new.

We are excited about our new property at 182 Old Lexington Road in Elgin, which represents an important step toward establishing a permanent home for Elgin Methodist Church. As we prepare for the next chapter, we are praying, planning, and working together to create a place where people can encounter Jesus, grow in faith, build authentic relationships, and discover their God-given purpose.

Until our new home is ready, we are worshiping at Down Home Ranch, where we look forward to continuing to grow in faith and serve our community. We are grateful for this temporary home and the opportunities it provides during this season of transition.

We believe God has been faithful in every chapter of our story, and we trust Him with every chapter still to come.

The Story Isn't Over

When thirteen people gathered for prayer in May 2023, none of us could have imagined everything God would do in just a few short years. What began with a simple prayer has become a growing church family committed to helping people know Jesus, grow in faith, build authentic community, and make a difference in the world. And we believe the story is still being written.

Our mission remains the same:

Love Loud. Live Truth. Serve Bold.

We are Christ-centered, people-focused, and Holy Spirit-led. We believe the local church is called to be more than a building. It is a family of believers sent into the world to share the love of Jesus, live out the truth of God's Word, and serve others with boldness and compassion.

Whether you are exploring faith, returning to church, or looking for a church family to call home, there is a place for you here.

Come be part of the story. Come grow with us. Come see what God is doing at Elgin Methodist Church.

The foundation has been laid. A new chapter is unfolding. And by God's grace, we believe the best is yet to come.