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Rev. Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez shares her first experience in the UMC and how it really is all about Grace.
5/19/2022
Before she was an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, Zhenya first experienced the UMC in Russia as a translator. She experienced Grace on her first day in a UMC church and to this day she continues to experience Grace, for Zhenya it really is all about Grace and that is why she continues...
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Rev. John Woodard Shares his reasons for Choosing to #BeUMC
5/17/2022
Rev. John Woodard, Senior Pastor serving local churches Cross Plains United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church of Cisco shares about his faith journey as a young boy that was born into the Methodist Church, and our belief about Communion, that is Christ's Table, that it is a table ...
Allison Alvarado Shares her reasons for choosing to #BeUMC
5/10/2022
Allison Alvarado, serves as the Executive Director at First United Methodist Church in Downtown Fort Worth and today she shares with the Central Texas Conference why she is choosing to #BeUMC. She in her own words doesn't remain the UMC because of loyalty but instead of what it stands for and how it...
Rev. Tim Bruster Shares His Reasons for Choosing To #BeUMC
5/4/2022
"The heart cannot embrace what the mind rejects," a Pastor once shared to a teenage Tim Bruster. To this day, as a Co-Senior Pastor of FUMC Fort Worth, Dr. Tim Bruster appreciates that moment because he had questions and always appreciates that the United Methodist Church is a place for you to ...
Rev. Tomeca Richardson Shares Her Reasons for Choosing to #BeUMC
5/3/2022
Rev. Tomeca Richardson, Pastor of Morningside UMC & McMillian UMC shares her reasons for choosing to #BeUMC. The church throughout her life has been the welcoming sustaining community that taught her of the One Body of Christ. To be a part of the UMC according to Tomeca to be with people filled with...
Rev Meg Witmer-Faile on Responsive Discipleship with Matt Lake, Fresh Expressions
5/2/2022
Join Matt Lake from Fresh Expressions and Rev. Meg Witmer-Faile, Associate Director of Evangelism, Mission, and Church Growth for a conversation about Responsive Discipleship. Rev. Meg and Matt both look at programmatic, virtual, and other concepts to bring your discipleship ministries to a new ...
Rev. Armando Alvarado Shares His Reasons for Choosing to #BeUMC
4/29/2022
Rev. Armando Alvarado, Pastor at New Riverside UMC in Fort Worth, TX shares about his childhood through now being part of the UMC, from laity to now being a clergy of The United Methodist Church and why he continues to choose to #BeUMC.
UMCOR Fire Clean Up - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative
4/28/2022
When wildfires ripped through the western part of Texas earlier this spring – including several counties in the Central Texas Conference – tens of thousands of acres and more than 100 homes were destroyed. As soon as the area was considered safe enough, Central Texas UMC ERT teams were sent into the...
Mark Burrows Says the Being Together, Loved, Accepted and Cared For are Why He Chooses to #BeUMC
4/26/2022
Mark Burrows is the director of Children's Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth. He believes that the more we get together as Christians the more empathy we have, the more learning and ministry that can be done and the happier we truly are. The sense of being together in a place...
Rev. Leslie Byrd Shares a Few of the Whys She Is and Will #BeUMC
4/25/2022
Rev. Leslie Byrd, Senior Pastor of New World United Methodist Church (Arlington) and the Assistant District Superintendent of the CTC's East District, shares how much she loves being able to learn and grow together in faith and her belief that we so much stronger together in the UMC Connection than ...
Dr. Mary Spradlin Discusses Having Faith Challenged and the Methodist Connection as Reasons She Chooses to #BeUMC
4/25/2022
Rev. Dr. Mary Spradlin discusses being able to disagree on the best way to confront difficult and controversial topic while still remaining a faithful Christian as one of the reasons she chooses to #BeUMC. She also touches on why being in a church that challenges your faith and beliefs is a good ...
Rev. Andy Tyler Talks About Why Choosing to #BeUMC Feels Like Coming Home
4/23/2022
After many years of living on the east coast and serving in another denomination, Rev. Andy Tyler discusses how he came to realize that Texas and the Wesleyan tradition is where his heart is. And that's why his decision to #BeUMC feels like being home.
Bishop Saenz Announces In-Person Clergy & Local Pastors/Associate Member Meetings
4/22/2022
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Central Texas Conference has decided to convene the 2022 Clergy Executive Session and Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members meeting as in-person only events. The meetings had been previously scheduled as online meetings via Zoom. The date ...
Rev. Danny Tenney Details Why He Chooses to #BeUMC
4/22/2022
Rev. Danny Tenney, Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Burleson details Why He Chooses to #BeUMC. Hear a few the reasons why in the video below. And if you would like to share your story for why you choose to #BeUMC (especially laity, come on now, don't let our clergy have all the ...
Rev. Beverly Connelly Shares a Few Reasons Why Even a Self-Described Conservative Chooses to #BeUMC
4/21/2022
Even as a self-described "Conservative", Rev. Beverly Connelly, District Superintendent of the South Central District Area - Central Texas Conference chooses to #BeUMC. Hear a few of her reasons why in the video below. If you would like to share your story for why you choose to #BeUMC (especially ...
Rev. Dr. Chris Hayes Shares Two of the Many Reasons He Chooses to #BeUMC
4/19/2022
Rev. Dr. Chris Hayes says that the ideas of "Grace First" and "unity over uniformity are two of the many reasons he chooses to #BeUMC.
Revs. Jannette and Jeff Miller Share Why They Choose to #BeUMC
4/19/2022
Rev's Jannette and Jeff Miller (pastors at China Spring UMC and First United Methodist Church of Belton respectively) share a few of their reasons they choose to #BeUMC
First Arlington UMC Confirmation Class Loves to #BeUMC
4/18/2022
The Confirmation class of First United Methodist Church of Arlington quite adorably shares just a few of the reasons that they are excited to #BeUMC To join these young Christians in sharing your reason(s) that you choose to #BeUMC, please go to ctcumc.org/be-umc.
A Message for Easter from Bishop Saenz
4/16/2022
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. offers a message of hope for Easter.
"A Rich Man Gives His Tomb to Jesus" Station 14 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series Cross Walk
4/14/2022
The Cross Walk Lenten journey concludes as Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. leads us in contemplating the 14th and final Station – A Rich Man Gives His Tomb to Jesus. Luke 23:50-53 Joseph of Arimathea, a good, righteous, and rich member of the council, is compelled to honor Jesus, his Savior, and Lord, by...
Central Texas Methodists Show Up to #BeUMC for Granger Tornado Cleanup & Recovery
4/14/2022
One of the impactful parts of being United Methodists is how we are all connected together. Communities connect to other Communities and when disaster hits United Methodists from all across the connection come together to help. We offer the following video of United Methodists from around Granger, ...
Rev. Jason Valendy Details Why He Loves to #BeUMC
4/12/2022
Rev. Jason Valendy, co-pastor of Keller UMC loves to #BeUMC because of the grace that's found in Jesus and lived out in service to the world, AND stands over and against a culture that says that the only way for us to be in communion is if we agree on every detail of life and the church. To join...
"Jesus Commits Himself to God" Station 13 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series Cross Walk
4/12/2022
The Cross Walk Lenten journey continues as Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. leads us in contemplating the 13th Station – Jesus Commits Himself to God. Luke 23:44-46 A 2021 article by hospice physician Dr. Karen Wyatt provides experienced observations about why some people die in peace, and some don’t. She...
Rev. Don Moore on Why He Chooses to #BeUMC
4/12/2022
The warm, welcoming and accepting nature of United Methodist Churches that demonstrated Wesley's understanding of grace are just some of the reasons that brought Rev. Don Moore back to the family of Christ more than 20 years ago - reasons that are still part of why he chooses to @BeUMC. Share ...
Rev. Estee Valendy Shares a Few of Her Reasons to #BeUMC
4/11/2022
Rev. Estee Valendy, Co-Senior Pastor at Keller United Methodist Church shares a few of the reasons why she loves the United Methodist Church and why she chooses to #BeUMC.
"Jesus Creates a New Household of Faith" Station 12 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series Cross Walk
4/9/2022
The Cross Walk Lenten Devotional series continues as Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. contemplates the 12th Station of the Cross - Jesus Creates a New Household of Faith. The Old and New Testaments offer a gallery of images, metaphors, and pictures that help us grasp the totality of the meaning, purpose, ...
Rev. Bob Rainey Discusses Why He Chooses to #BeUMC
4/9/2022
Rev. Bob Rainey, Senior Pastor at Central UMC in Waco lends his voice to the growing #BeUMC chorus in the Central Texas Conference as he discusses why he chooses to #BeUMC.
Louis Carr Chooses to #BeUMC
4/8/2022
Rev. Louis Carr, District Superintendent of the North & West Districts of the Central Texas Conference of The UMC shares a few of the reasons he chooses to #BeUMC and joins the country-wide grassroots #BeUMC effort of sharing personal and inspirational narratives of United Methodists living their ...
Kevin Tully Shares Why He Chooese to #BeUMC
4/7/2022
Rev. Kevin Tully of First Waxahachie UMC joins the country-wide grassroots #BeUMC effort of sharing personal and inspirational narratives of United Methodists living their faith and celebrating what draws us to The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Saenz Shares Updates on Official CTC Disaffiliation Process
4/7/2022
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has released a video updating the Central Texas Conference's official procedures of disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church. In the video, Bishop Saenz shares updates on... A church’s ability to take as much time as needed to prayerfully and carefully consider all ...
"Jesus Receives a Criminal in Paradise" Station 11 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series Cross Walk
4/5/2022
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr continues the Cross Walk Lenten Devotional series by contemplating the 11th Station of the Cross - Jesus Receives a Criminal in Paradise. A King crucified on a cross on a hill surrounded by two criminals and a mocking crowd is out of place, isn’t it? But then, this King was ...
"Jesus Forgives Those Who Crucify Him" Station 10 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series Cross Walk
4/2/2022
Bishop Saenz continues his Lenten Cross Walk Journey by contemplating Station 10 of the Cross - Jesus Forgives Those Who Crucify Him. Forgiveness, humanly speaking, is hard, yet it is one of Jesus' most mentioned topics and something he ultimately modeled and taught from the cross. Our capacity to ...
Bishop Saenz Shares Why He Is Choosing to #BeUMC
3/29/2022
Bishop Ruben Saenz, episcopal leader for the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church has released his statement as to why he is choosing to remain in The United Methodist Church. The heart-breaking but inevitable announcement of the launch of the Global Methodist denomination on May ...
The Mary & Elizabeth Coalition
3/29/2022
As the 2022 Women’s History Month rolls to a close, the Central Texas Conference would like to highlight one of its most vital organizations - the Mary and Elizabeth Coalition. The Mary and Elizabeth Coalition is a network of female clergy in the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist ...
Prayers, Financial Support Needed in Wildfire Relief & Recovery Efforts
3/24/2022
Bishop Saenz offers an update on the relief and recovery efforts underway in the Central Texas Conference in response to the recent wildfires in the western part of the conference. As in all active disaster situations, the best way anyone can help at this time is to pray. Financial support is also ...
"Jesus is Scourged & Crowned with Thorns" Station 6 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series Cross Walk
3/19/2022
The Cross Walk Lenten journey continues with a contemplation of the Sixth Station of the Cross: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns. The crucifixion of Jesus reveals the depth and horror of the human capacity for cruelty and inhumanity. In the gospel of John, Pilate first orders the Roman ...
Leaning on the Good News that Christ is With Us Even in the Bad Times
3/16/2022
A WIG Narrative with Rev. Dr. Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez On Sunday, Feb. 27, Rev. Dr. Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez, associate pastor of Grace Groups & Discipleship, was slated to deliver the Transfiguration Sunday sermon to those gathered at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth. As she strode to the ...
"Jesus is Judged by Pilate" Station 5 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series Cross Walk
3/15/2022
Bishop Saenz continues his new video series for Lent, “Cross Walk,” today with Station 5 – “Jesus is Judged by Pilate.” In Station 5, Pontius Pilate, the Roman Govenror of Judea at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, questions Jesus not because he finds any fault in him, but because the Sanhedrin ...
"Jesus is Denied by Peter" - Station 4 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series "Cross Walk"
3/12/2022
Bishop Saenz continues his new video series for Lent, “Cross Walk,” today with Station 4 – “Jesus is Denied by Peter.” Peter, in Matthew’s gospel’s portrait and understanding of him, has an elevated role. He is the spokesperson and representative for the disciples. He is presented as a model, both ...
"Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin" - Station 3 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series "Cross Walk"
3/8/2022
Bishop Saenz continues his new video series for Lent, “Cross Walk,” today with Station 3 – “Jesus is Condemned by the Sandherin.” We like to be right. We get baffled when people don’t share our narrative or sense of reality. We get irritated and frustrated when “they don’t get it,” or “can’t see ...
"Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested" - Station 2 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series "Cross Walk"
3/5/2022
Bishop Saenz continues his new video series for Lent, “Cross Walk,” today with Station 2 – “Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested by Judas.” This Lenten journey is a contemplative pilgrimage through Christ’s sufferings, death, and burial based on fourteen biblical Stations of the Cross found in the gospels...
Bishop Asks for Prayers and Special Offering for Ukraine
3/5/2022
Bishop Saenz is calling on the people and the churches of the Central Texas Conference to a time of dedicated prayer on Sunday, March 6, and until a peaceful resolution is reached in Ukraine. He is also asking that churches receive a Special Offering in support of UMCORs relief efforts for Ukraine. ...
Bishop Saenz on the Further Postponement of General Conference
3/3/2022
On March 3, the Commission on General Conference officially announced the further postponement of the August 2022 worldwide gathering of delegates to conduct the business of The United Methodist Church, until the regularly scheduled General Conference in May 2024. Please see the following video to ...
"In the Garden" - Station 1 of the 2022 Lenten Video Series "Cross Walk"
3/1/2022
From Ash Wednesday (March 2) through Good Friday (April 15), Bishop Saenz is offering a new video series for Lent he’s calling “Cross Walk.” This Lenten journey is a contemplative pilgrimage through the drama and chief scenes of Christ’s sufferings, death, and burial based on fourteen biblical ...
Bishop Saenz Invites All to Check Out ES22 Video Replays
2/28/2022
Bishop Saenz, still full of excitement following Evangelism Summit 2022, suggests that folks check out the video replays of the event and share them with their churches and small groups. Go to ctcumc.org/es22-videos to access all the replays. Click on the player below to see a brief message from ...
A Black History Month Narrative: Mt. Zion UMC - the CTC's Oldest Black Church
2/17/2022
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, located in Belton, TX is the oldest Black Church in the Central Texas Conference. The church was built in 1893 and was added to the National Registrar of Historic Places in 1990. The original worship space was a stucco building erected on the banks of Nolan Creek ...
A Bishop’s Passion for Making Disciples of Jesus, Evangelism & Outreach
2/14/2022
Just a few days before Evangelism Summit 2022 officially kicks off at First Methodist Waco (9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19), Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr and Rev. Armando Alvarado, pastor of New Riverside UMC got together or a Zoom to discuss Bishop Saenz's passion for making disciples of Jesus Christ,...
Black History Month - Hear From Darlene Alfred - The First African American Lay Leader of the Central Texas Conference
2/11/2022
The CTC continues to shine the spotlight on some of the amazing leaders of color in Conference as we share some thoughts and insights from Darlene Alfred, the Central Texas Conference Lay Leader, on being the first Black female Conference Lay Leader and what that means to her. She also reflects on ...
Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow - Hear from Rev. Beverly Connelly, The First African American Female DS in the Central Texas Conference
2/8/2022
One of the more important things Christians who care about diversity, equity and inclusiveness can do is to highlight the incredible work being done by some of the amazing leaders of color in the Central Texas Conference. In the first of two videos focusing on such leaders, the Central Texas ...
Church Marketing, Evangelism Planning, and "Felt Needs" Ministries - A conversation with Rev. Kyland Dobbins and Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory
2/7/2022
Rev, Kyland Dobbins, Pastor at Harvest UMC in Fort Worth, TX, and Dr. Leah Hidde Gregory, Executive Director of the Smith Center for Evangelism, Mission, and Church Growth conversate today about the paradigm shift that we all feel in the church in 2022. This conversation brings up many things to ...
Bishop Saenz's Quick Insight Surveys Open Thru Feb. 25
2/2/2022
Bishop Saenz is inviting the people of the CTC to complete a very short survey so that he might gain some valuable insights as to how clergy and laity feel about their churches, ministries and conference – what we do well and where we believe we have opportunities to do more. Bishop Saenz sees the ...
Faith Sharing & Introducing People to the Transforming Power of Christ
1/31/2022
In the third of five pre-Summit teaching videos, Revs. Jay Fraze and Steve Moss share a hearty discussion on Evangelism as faith sharing and introducing people to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Innovation in Evangelism
1/24/2022
In the second of five pre-Summit Teaching conversations, Rev. Meg Witmer-Faile discusses the innovations in evangelistic efforts - especially in the COVID era - with Revs. Lisa Greenwood adn Blair Thompson-White from the Texas Methodist Foundation.
Bishop Saenz's MLK Day Message of Acceptance, Equality, Unity & Justice
1/21/2022
"His words mattered then and they still matter today." Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. offers a video message in celebration of the life, work and impact of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of Martin Luther King Day 2022 . As he reflects on the significance of MLK Day, a day first commemorated ...
After Doubt - How to Question Faith Without Losing It
1/17/2022
In this first of five Pre-Evangelism Summit 2022 video trainings Rev. David Johnson and Professor A.J. Swoboda discuss the topic of doubt and how to question faith without losing it.
Bishop Saenz Video Greeting and Introduction to the CTC
1/17/2022
“I want you to know that serving as your bishop in Central Texas doesn't come as an afterthought. It is THE work Christ and the church have called me to this season.” In his first video message to the Central Texas Conference as its episcopal leader, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. greets the people of the ...
Episcopal Conversations with Bishops Lowry and Saenz
12/27/2021
In the fall of 2021, Bishops Mike and Lowry and Ruben Saenz recorded a series of discussions about what it is to be a bishop in the United Methodist Church today. As the Central Texas Conference prepares to transition from the episcopal leadership of the retiring Bishop Lowry (2008-2021) to ...
Descend On Us We Pray - A Message for Christmas from Bishop Lowry
12/21/2021
In his 2021 video message for Christmas to the Central Texas Conference – his final as the CTC's episcopal leader – Bishop Lowry reaffirms the truth that most know, but often need to be reminded of amidst the secular media blitz of the season: Christmas isn’t found in Santa, parties or gifts, rather...
According to Your Word! - A Message for Advent from Bishop Lowry
11/28/2021
In his annual – and final – Advent message to the Central Texas Conference, Bishop Lowry focuses on the witness and example of Mary, the mother of Jesus – the one who New Testament scholars regard as “the first and the ideal disciple.” Bishop Lowry also recognizes several similarities between the ...
Millsap UMC Horse Arena Church - A NEW WIG Video Narrative
11/17/2021
Millsap UMC Isn’t Horsin’ Around in Its Efforts to Reach New People in New Places There have been myriad wonderful narratives shared throughout the COVID-19 pandemic of how Central Texas Conference churches have creatively found ways to continue to be the church for their congregations and in their ...
Ever Faithful to the Call - A New WIG Video Narrative
10/21/2021
First Round Rock UMC Member Composes New Military Hymn for Veterans Day Free Download of Music available at everfaithfultothecall.com Tom Lough, a member of First UMC Round Rock and an Army veteran has written a new “Army-focused” hymn titled "Ever Faithful to the Call" to fill a musical gap its ...
What's New with the New Faith Community Grants for 2021-22
10/15/2021
Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory highlights what's new with the CEMCG New Faith Community Grants! The Smith Center for Evangelism, Mission and Church Growth (CEMCG) exists to help the local churches of the Central Texas Conference reach people we are not already reaching. One of the many ways the CEMCG team ...
Ferris Heights Doesn’t Let Delta Stop Its Worship Outside the Walls - A New WIG Video Narrative
10/4/2021
by Rev. John Han, pastor, Ferris Heights UMC “WOW should still be 'WOW!' in spite of the pandemic!” Ferris Heights United Methodist Church has been participating in an annual, community-wide service project called “Worship Outside the Walls” for several years. The community-wide project — also ...
Living on a Prayer and Coffee
9/20/2021
Is there anything better (or quite often, more necessary) than a delicious cup of coffee to get your morning rolling on the right foot? How about a FREE cup of coffee? Better yet, how about a FREE cup of coffee and a prayer to start your day? Sounds pretty great, right? The good folks of FUMC ...
Back to School WITH God - A WIG Video Narrative
9/1/2021
For nearly a decade, Mt. Zion UMC in Belton has engaged in a backpack ministry to help provide the children of their community with new backpacks and school supplies at the start of the school year. Each year the program has grown and this year, Mt. Zion formed a ministry partnership with First UMC ...
Rev. Beverly Connelly, NEW South Central District Superintendent
8/31/2021
Rev. Beverly Connelly, newly installed Area District Superintendent for the CTC’s South and Central Districts, recently sat down with the CTC Communications team to discuss her first few weeks in the role, her initial plans for the districts, her excitement to work and partner with the clergy and ...
CTC COVID-19 Response Update from Bishop Mike Lowry
8/25/2021
If you’ve read or watched the news, been on social media or even overheard a conversation at the store in the past week, you are likely aware that the secular response to the surge in COVID cases in Texas caused by the Delta variant has shifted from the medical to the extremely political. While ...
2021 Episcopal Address
7/9/2021
On Monday, June 21, 2021, Bishop Mike Lowry delivered his final Episcopal Address to the lay and clergy members of the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Click on the image below to view. To view and/or download the video, go to the CTC's Vimeo Page here. The text of the ...
Bishop Lowry COVID-19 Response Update: It's Time to Reopen
6/11/2021
In what he hoped would be his "final video about dealing with and responding to COVID-19," Bishop Lowry provided an update to the official Central Texas Conference COVID-19 Response Guidelines and asserted that it is time for those congregations who have not returned to in-person worship to do so. "...
South Central District Area Goes to Zone Coverage
5/11/2021
Last Month, South Central District Area (SCDA) Superintendent Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory and the District Area Discipleship Team – Dr. Pat McCain, Asst. DS; Rev. Gary White, Discipleship Coach; Rev. Joann Dominguez, Student Discipleship Coordinator; and Della Conner, District Administrator – hosted a ...
Meet the CTC District Discipleship Coaches
4/23/2021
The Central Texas Conference’s video introduction series of the members of the CTC’s District Discipleship Teams continues as we meet those who have answered the call to serve as District Discipleship Coaches. Making disciples of Jesus Christ is at the core of everything we do in the Central Texas ...
Meet Your Assistant District Superintendents
4/16/2021
As a part of the Forward to a New Spring initiative, each of the District Areas established District Discipleship Teams designed to assist the District Superintendents in their duties, get as many resources as possible directly to the local churches and assist, develop and grow the clergy and lay ...
CTC New Faith Community Grants Phase 2
4/13/2021
As the CTC continues to move forward to a New Spring and reimagine all the ways that our churches and people go about our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, the Center for Evangelism, Mission and Church Growth (CEMCG) has also reimagined its New Faith ...
Easter Message from Bishop Mike Lowry
4/4/2021
Bishop Lowry places readers in the same place as the women who first encountered the empty tomb – teetering on the edge of eternity. Today, as it was on that first Easter morning, the edge of eternity is now bridged by a cross of hope put there by our Lord who invites us to a future of hope filled ...
UCF Wesley Foundation at Navarro College at 2021 Retreat
3/30/2021
The UCF Wesley Foundation at Navarro College recently hosted their largest retreat in the past five years at Sky Ranch in Van, Texas. The focus of the retreat was “Find Your Swing.” After a year full of challenges – many of which were unprecedented and COVID related - students enjoyed a weekend ...
The Silos at Waco are Central to a Winter Storm Fixer Upper Story
3/29/2021
The UMC Connectional system, a local church with a strong community involvement and social media presence and a Pennsylvania couple’s hope of bumping into Chip and/or Joanna Gaines come together to provide assistance and relief to someone still struggling with damages caused by February’s severe ...
Palm Sunday / Holy Week Message from Bishop Mike Lowry
3/27/2021
As we prepare for the week that we Christians call “Holy,” Bishop Lowry challenges us to engage in “revolutionary thinking” and to remember that Your King is Coming. Click on the player below to hear this years Palm Sunday/Holy Week message from Bishop Lowry.
Replay of "Building a Spiritual Core" Webinar Now Available
3/26/2021
In this presentation, Bishop Lowry, Rev. Ramsdell and special guest Rev. Joseph Nader focus on making disciples and strengthening our Churches' spiritual lives. The Churches spiritual core is the foundation of the new future. This event is part of the A New Church for a New World webinar series. ...
CTC Winter Storm Response Update
2/23/2021
We are working as a Conference Team with District Superintendents (DS) and members of the District Discipleship Teams to provide assistance and disaster relief across the Central Texas Conference. The following video shows what all is being done and what you can do to help us in this vital process! ...
A Message for Lent 2021
2/17/2021
Bishop Lowry shares his annual message to the Central Texas Conference and Christians everywhere.
A Statement on the Storming of the U.S. Capitol
1/7/2021
Following the stunning events unfolding at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Bishop Lowry has issued a statement calling for peace and to actively live as faithful followers of the Prince of Peace.
Bishop Lowry's Message for the New Year 2021
1/1/2021
Click the above link to hear the hopeful message from Bishop Mike Lowry of the New Year in 2021. Happy New Year to all!
A Birth Announcement - God Is With Us! (A Christmas Message from Bishop Lowry)
12/24/2020
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” May this great birth announcement ring out in homes, be twittered and tweeted in our communities, blogged about on websites, sent in our emails, and zoomed around our nation and world! Click on the below to view Bishop Lowry's special Christmas video message to...
Bishop Lowry's Advent Message for 2020
11/30/2020
Ours is a world desperately awaiting someone who can come and save us – save us from the chaos of COVID-19, the pandemic of partisan politics, the moral madness which seems to have infected us, and yes, save us even from ourselves. In his annual Advent message (see video below) Bishop Lowry reminds ...
Moving Forward!
11/20/2020
Even during this prolonged time of chaos and change, Jesus, through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, is actively at work in the local churches of the CTC. And that is a very, very good thing.
Be the Bridge Seminar Video Replays Now Available!
11/9/2020
If we are not actively addressing the sin of racism, then we are not actively making disciples of Jesus Christ! Video replays of last week's Be the Bridge Racial Reconciliation Training Seminar are now available for viewing and/or download.
The Promise and FUMC Glen Rose
10/15/2020
The Promise, a one-of-a-kind musical production performed annually at the Texas Amphitheater in Glen Rose, Texas. and First United Methodist Church in Glen Rose, TX partner together to bring more people to the Kingdom of God.
Bishop Lowry Announces Virtual 2020 Central Texas Annual Conference Meeting
8/18/2020
BREAKING NEWS – Bishop Lowry has announced that the 2020 Central Texas Annual Conference meeting will be held entirely online via Zoom. The date of the meeting has been set for Saturday, Sept. 19 beginning at 10 a.m. Visit https://www.ctcumc.org/AC20 for details, or go to https://www.ctcumc.org/bish...
Words of Thanks, Admiration and Perseverance for the Fall of 2020
8/14/2020
In his latest video message to the CTC, Bishop Lowry, having recently returned to Lone Star State after taking a few weeks to go and play the role of Papa with his grandkids, shares words of admiration and thanks to the clergy and lay leadership who continue to go above and beyond in their efforts ...
CTCYM 2020 - Car Washes and Sandwiches
7/29/2020
2020 was not the year we expected by any means and because CTCYM Mission Trip was canceled doesn't mean needs aren't being met. Church Youth Ministries all over the conference have unleashed their creativity to serve their own community and even in some circumstances are teaming up with other ...
CTCYM 2020 - Doing Good in Local Communities
7/2/2020
There was some initial disappointment felt when the COVID-19 pandemic forced CTCYM leadership to cancel the conference’s 2020 Jr./Sr. High youth mission trips. But perhaps the only thing rivaling our conference youth’s desire to go and be the hands and feet of Christ to those who need it is their ...
A Million Dollars Towards the Great Commission - A New CTC WIG Video Narrative
6/17/2020
Just a little more than a year following a disastrous fire that destroyed their sanctuary, Mooreville UMC officially broke ground on a new sanctuary last weekend. This was made possible in no small part thanks to the faithfulness of the Mooreville UMC congregation and the extravagant generosity ...
We Have This Hope - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative
6/8/2020
Morgan Mill UMC's Food Pantry is a ministry that has been giving to their community since March of 2012 and during the COVID-19 pandemic, their operations have changed a little bit. Morgan Mill is meeting a need for their community, but also they are connecting their community to Christ. In a time ...
It Only Takes A Spark - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative
5/14/2020
A backpack ministry that started out as “a small mission project” for the Mineral Wells UMC has transformed into something so much bigger. Not only do they regularly provide nutritious food for more than 10 percent of the students in their community (a number that has exploded to more than 30 ...
Emerging Ministry in the Little Ice Age - A Video Update from Bishop Mike Lowry
5/13/2020
As we continue to engage in effective ministry during and after COVID-19, Bishop Lowry and the Cabinet are convinced that churches hoping to return to “the way things were” are not going to emerge from this season as healthy as those who are willing to embrace a “new day” for their church. In his ...
Partnering with Local Churches During a Time of Financial Crisis and Uncertain Future
5/7/2020
To say that the current coronavirus crisis has put our economic situation in a bit of a bind would be more than a slight understatement. And even as our state slowly and cautiously begins to reopen, the truth is that the financial realities of this situation may not be totally evident for many ...
Bishop Lowry Provides Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Response and Returning to In-Person Worship
4/27/2020
Following the April 27 announcement from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott regarding new executive orders on "Reopening Texas" in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Lowry released the following video with guidance to the local churches of the Central Texas Conference on how they are to respond. ...
Video Update from Bishop Mike Lowry - April 23rd, 2020
4/23/2020
In his latest video update to the Central Texas Conference, Bishop Lowry addresses several topics related to the ministries and business of the CTC - chief among them being what does the reported “reopening of Texas” plans mean for our local churches? Other topics touched on by Bishop Lowry include ...
Worship Done by DVD - A NEW CTC WIG Video Narrative
4/22/2020
Our current COVID-19 reality has seen a lot of innovation and new ideas tried by local churches in order stay connected to and worship with their congregation and community. While the modern streaming and teleconferencing tools available today have been a successful resource for many, for some it ...
"On the COVID-19 Emmaus Road" a message from Bishop Mike Lowry
4/16/2020
This past Easter Sunday was like no other. Still, while radically different from what any of us could have imagined earlier this year, the Easter Celebrations of the Central Texas Conference churches were triumphantly expressed. We were separated but not alone. Join Bishop Lowry as he reflects on ...