who we are
We are embarking on a shared journey of real faith, purpose, and community, as we walk this path together.
Together, we navigate life's challenges with honesty, transparency, and faith, seeking to grow spiritually and impact the world around us in a meaningful way.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
St. Paul's United Methodist Church was founded in 1958 with the vision of building a loving church for those outside its walls. Since its inception, St. Paul's has grown from a small gathering to a community that reaches many locally, nationally and with our partnership with non-profits, globally.
Every week, a few dozen people attend either our Classic or Contemporary Worship Service in person or online in the Northeast Heights Neighborhood and beyond. Our sermons and hope-filled messages are viewed each month through our website and on YouTube.
Our methods of living out our Mission and Vision have evolved over the years, but our mission has always been to encourage people to follow Jesus in a real and authentic way. We do so through our Fresh Expression Ministries, Community Connections, Small Groups and Virtual gatherings, our partnering with local non-profits, or through our many online digital offerings. Along the way, by sharing what we've learned, we're committed to being real people, real church and real Jesus.
Hi there! I am the current Senior Pastor of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Thank you for checking out St Paul’s United Methodist Church. As such, it is important to me that you and your family feel welcome when you visit St Paul’s. As you explore our Website, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us.
I joined the United Methodist Church in 1987 and raised my family in a small rural church in North East Ohio. I received my call to ministry in 1995 and served in the East Ohio Conference beginning in 2000. I am “Buckeye Born & Bread” and moved to New Mexico in 2018. My wife, Anna & I have three adult children and have been blessed with six grandchildren. In my spare time, I like to hike and explore New Mexico and I enjoy being on stage in the area’s Community Theater from time to time.
I believe in the truth of scripture that God’s love and forgiveness is for ALL people and His desire is ALL to know Him. Romans 8:31 tells us that “NOTHING SEPARATES US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD…” There really is NOTHING that you can do to cause God to love you less. We are imperfect people longing for the perfect love that God gives.
Stop by and say “hello” and hope to see you soon whether it be in worship or at one of our many outreach activities or events.
What
we believe about...
God
We believe in the existence of one God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. We affirm the belief in the Trinity, that God is three-in-one - Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. We believe in God's love, grace, and mercy, and emphasize the importance of responding to God's love through faith and service in the world.
The Kingdom of God
We believe in the concept of the Kingdom of God, which represents God's reign and presence on Earth. We believe that the Kingdom is both present and yet to come, embodying justice, peace, and righteousness. We strive to promote the Kingdom by participating in acts of love and compassion, seeking social justice, and spreading the message of God's love and grace to all people.
Salvation
We believe in the concept of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, affirming that it is by God's grace that individuals are saved. We believe salvation is not earned by good works alone, but is a result of God's love and forgiveness, which is freely available to all who accept and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We emphasize the importance of both faith and works, believing that a transformed life is evidence of true faith in Christ.
The Church
We believe that the Church is a community of believers that is called to spread the love and teachings of Jesus Christ, to make disciples, and to serve the needs of the world. We emphasize the importance of worship, sacraments, spiritual growth, and social justice. We also believe in the connectional nature of the Church, with a strong belief in collaboration and accountability within the denomination.
Baptism
We believe that baptism is a sacrament (an oath) of initiation into the Christian faith and become a member of the Church. We affirm that through baptism, God's Grace is bestowed upon individuals through the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. United Methodists practice both infant and adult baptism, and see the sacrament as a means of grace that invites individuals into a lifelong journey of faith and discipleship. We recognize the baptism of "believers only" traditions; people baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We do not re-baptize individuals who have already been baptized, regardless of the denomination or form in which it was administered.
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the savior of humanity, and the embodiment of God's love and grace. We affirm his divinity, his role as the mediator between God and humanity, and his resurrection as a symbol of victory over sin and death. We emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus and strive to follow his teachings and example in their daily lives.
You
We believe in the sacred worth of every individual, affirming the dignity and value of all people as being created in the image of God. We reject any form of discrimination or exclusion based on race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic, and advocate for inclusivity, justice, and equality for all.
Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity, who is regarded as active and present in the life of individuals and the church. We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers and guides believers, enables them to live a holy life, helps them discern truth, and equips them with spiritual gifts for ministry and service. The Holy Spirit is seen as the source of comfort, inspiration, and renewal, and we seek to cultivate a personal relationship with the Spirit through prayer, worship, and the study of scripture.
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the primary source of authority and guidance in matters of faith and practice. We hold that the scriptures contain the inspired word of God and offer a revelation of God’s nature, the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and instructions for Christian living. We interpret the Bible through a lens of tradition, reason, and experience and strive for a balance between scripture, tradition, reason, and personal experience in our understanding and application of biblical teachings.
Communion
We believe in the sacrament of Communion as a means of God's grace, inviting all baptized Christians to partake in the elements of bread and wine (or grape juice) to remember and participate in the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. We believe in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament, nurturing and nourishing the spiritual growth of believers. The act of Communion also symbolizes unity with fellow Christians and serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. All are welcome at God's table, Methodist or not. You do not have to be a Member of St. Paul's.
Meet our Staff & Lay Leaders
Meet a team that is passionate about Jesus and serving others at
St. Paul's and their surrounding community.
Besides the Pastor, listed in Alphabetical Order L-R
Let's be friends.
We want you to stay updated on current news, events and happenings at St. Paul's.
We invite you to connect with us on your favorite socials!
We post Bible verses, photos from community connections, small groups, sermon clips, updates to Sunday Worship and more!
We hope to see you there!