August 30, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters, The obvious big news of the week is that we voted to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church on Sunday, August 23rd.  I am pleased to share that we have received a warm welcome from the GMC and we are now a member congregation.  Athens First Methodist Church will be a part of the North Alabama Conference, which is led by a Superintendent, Rev. Alan Beasley.  At the district level, we are led by Rev. Dr. Michael Miller, who is our Presiding Elder.  Michael is the Senior Pastor of Friendship Church, which was planted by folks from our church a little over sixty years ago.   When you have been moving towards a big event, with a date circled on the calendar, it can have the effect of placing other actions and events in a kind of holding pattern.  I am glad that we did not simply wait for the vote, but we have continued to do some great mission work throughout the past two years.   We have also seen growth in our Sunday morning services, Children’s ministry, Music ministry, Youth ministry, and Sunday School.  My hope and prayer is that partnering with other faithful believers will help us to be even more fruitful.  We can jump further into Long Range Planning and addressing some of our physical plant needs now that we have completed the affiliation process.   On a personal note, Michael Miller and I were ordained together in our former denomination.  He has been a dear friend and fellow student of the bible with me for many years. Over the last 14 months, Michael has called me regularly to ask how he can pray for me, my family, and our church.  He has done this without asking me about the affiliation process, which has made our conversations very warm and personal.  Michael is a pastor to pastors, which will be a big blessing for Joe and for me.   On a day-to-day basis, I believe we are closely aligned enough with the GMC already, that there will not be big changes in our activities.  The biggest impact of affiliation initially will most likely be on the pastors.  Joe and I must find our way in the new denomination in terms of credentialing, ordination, and accountability, but we are very much looking forward to the process and to joining the clergy orders of the GMC.   I have said before that I believe Athens First Methodist Church is pregnant, and it is even more evident in these first few weeks since school has resumed.  Please keep praying for us to hear God’s voice and to respond in obedience.  
Love,  
John