Providence United Methodist Church began as a small group of people felt led by God to start a new church. They believed that God was providing them a great opportunity to come together for a common goal: to worship Him, to love and support one another, and to demonstrate God's love to the community through gifts and service.
Missions as an expression of Christ's love was a top priority. During initial organizational meetings in May and June 2002, participants had donated $228 to cover the expenses of renting meeting rooms. On June 19, 2002, the group decided to follow God's leading and meet the following Sunday for worship. They agreed to offer $100 to Dr. John Deloney to rent David's Catfish Restaurant, where they would hold the first worship service. (Dr. John, who was not at that meeting, later declined the offer and generously offered to open the doors of his restaurant each Sunday at no charge.) The remaining $128 was sent to a Spanish Fort family who had lost their home in a fire the week before.
It was on this note that 34 adults and 21 children gathered at a catfish restaurant on Sunday, June 23, 2002, to worship. That first service opened with the singing of "How Great Thou Art." Other hymns included "The Church's One Foundation," and "Be Thou My Vision." The Old Testament scripture lesson was 2 Chronicles 7: 14-15, while the New Testament lesson was Phillipians 4:4-7. The meditation, offered by Rhonda Woodson, was entitled "Power of Prayer."
In the beginning, the congregation had no name, no pastor and was not affiliated with a denomination. The name "Providence" was suggested by Robin Montgomery and aproved unanimously on Sunday, June 30, 2002. The name "Providence" means "looking to, or preparation for the future...benevolent guidance of God." Because most of the members came from the United Methodist tradition, it was decided to seek affiliation as a United Methodist church. As the congregation worked through the lengthy affiliation process, adults and youth in the congregation offered meditations in lieu of sermons.
Soon, a group of retired United Methodist pastors helped the fledgling congregation by preaching and offering pastoral services as needed. These pastors, affectionately called "honorary Catfishians," include the Revs. Marcus Smith, John Couey, Langdon Garrison, Edwin Sells,Thomas Lane Butts, Warren G. Booker Jr., Ken Bishop, and Hal Threadcraft. Later, the congregation was also served by the Revs. Paul Nixon, Doug Williams and Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster.
In April 2003, the church received good news...the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church was appointed a pastor! The Rev. Bob Sweet preached his first sermon for Providence at David's Catfish Restaurant on Sunday, June 15, 2003. On Sunday, July 13, 2003, Providence was chartered as a United Methodist church. This first service as a United Methodist church was held in the church's new home, a rented office building 9543 Stagecoach Road in Spanish Fort. A total of 145 people -- 118 adults and 27 children -- were listed as charter members.
From these beginnings, Providence UMC continues to serve. Our mission statement says it simply: "Providence Church is a community of faith whose purpose is to make committed disciples of Jesus Christ and to share God's love in the community."
An emphasis on missions -- serving as God's hands, feet and heart in the local community and beyond -- continues to be a passion for this congregation. Currently, the church allocates 10 percent of its budget toward missions. Projects are ongoing, involving both financial contributions to individuals and organizations, and hands-on, face-to-face missions like the annual Providence Turkey Run where the congregation delivers baskets of food at Thanksgiving. The weekly "Missions Moment" report on missions activities is a highlight of each worship service.
We invite you to be a part of this growing congregation as we worship, learn and serve together. |
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