Dec. 28 2025
By Pastor Everett Hodges
A year ago, on December 29, the last Sunday of 2024, thirty-one of us sat in our sanctuary and were told that, unless we remained members of the United Methodist Church, this would be the last Sunday in our building at Pine and D Streets in Waurika. We were asked to turn in our keys.
Sadness filled the room. Some anger did, too. But we prayed that God had bigger and better plans for us. Something else rose within us that day — determination. We would show that the church is more than a building. That the church is family. A family that serves Waurika.
This new dream actually began earlier, on a June evening in 2024, on the back porch of Roy and Monica Bartling’s home. A group of 35 faithful saints gathered to pray, talk, and seek a new path. For many reasons, we made the difficult decision to leave the United Methodist Church and begin again — not leaving behind our Wesleyan heritage, but stepping forward free from the constraints of the denomination. That June day, we voted unanimously to leave the UMC and to keep our church family together – wherever that might be.
We would simply be called The Waurika Methodist Church.
A Vision With No Home – But a very big God.
We were a church without a building, but not without a vision.
Our first Sundays were held at the Waurika Senior Citizen Center, where 55 people came through the doors that very first week. After competing with refrigerator noise for a few weeks, we moved to the historic Presbyterian Church — the same building that had been a refuge for us after our church fire in 2008. Once again, it became holy ground for healing and growth.
There were painful moments along the way — times that tested our faith. But God was already working.
In an incredible outpouring of generosity, our congregation raised enough that only $45,000 had to be borrowed. As of late December, we owe just $6,900.
What a testimony of faith.
God Is Growing His Church
Since returning to our sanctuary, our attendance has averaged nearly 70 each week.
- Mother’s Day: 104 in attendance
- Children’s Christmas Program: 93
- Christmas Eve Service: 78
We declared in our mission statement that our purpose is to serve the people of Waurika and Jefferson County — and we have lived that out.
- Led the Ministerial Alliance school supply drive, raising over $10,000 to provide supplies for every elementary child.
- Partnered with Care Portal, supporting foster families and working to keep biological families together.
- Provided Christmas gifts for nine children of incarcerated parents, plus meals and assistance for additional families.
- Hosted a “Feed the Neighborhood” event, serving hamburgers to nearly 150 people.
Ministry That Is Alive
Our ministries are flourishing:
- Sunday School averages around 30 each week.
- Our Men’s Club — partnered with First Christian Church — continues to grow.
- Our Women’s Bible Study is alive with service and love.
- Dorothy Bailey faithfully serves as our church secretary, and countless others give their time in worship and ministry every week.
All Glory to God
This is not about how strong we are — it is about how faithful God has been.
Our mission is simple: to make disciples. And He is doing just that. We are growing — not only in numbers, but in hearts, in faith, and in service.
We are already dreaming about what God will do in 2026. If you are not part of a church family, we invite you to join us 438 E D Ave. in Year Two of the Waurika Methodist Church. The doors are open — and so are our hearts.
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