OUR STORY
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.
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 past three years, they have graciously shared their facilities with us, and we will always be grateful for their hospitality, partnership, and kindness during these 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, the church 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 very 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.
Today, God is writing another exciting chapter in our story. As we continue to grow, we have transitioned into a new temporary worship home at Down Home Ranch. We are deeply thankful for Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the incredible generosity they showed us over the past three years. Their faithfulness helped make our beginning possible, and we will always look back on that season with gratitude.
Now, we look forward with great anticipation to this new season of ministry at Down Home Ranch. We believe God has placed us there for a purpose—not only to provide room for continued growth, but also to create new opportunities for ministry, service, and community impact. We will joyfully worship there until God opens the door for us to purchase a permanent home of our own.
Today, we continue to see God's faithfulness in ways we could never have imagined during that first prayer meeting. What began with thirteen people and a shared vision has become a growing church family committed to helping people know Jesus, grow in their faith, and make a difference in the world.
And we believe the story is still being written.
We'd love for you to be part of it.
From thirteen people gathered in prayer to a growing church family, our story has always been about God's faithfulness. And we believe the best chapters are still ahead.
Come worship with us and see what God is doing at Elgin Methodist Church!
