GREEN OAK FM CHURCH
ABOUT OUR CHURCH
GET TO KNOW US
Green Oak is a community of people committed to loving God, loving others, and inviting others to join us. It is a place where both the seasoned believer and those still finding their way can seek God. It is a place where families can find fellowship, support, healing, and teaching for all generations.
Green Oak Free Methodist Church is a multi-generational family church founded in 1959.
We were formed by the merger of the Hamburg Church and Silver Lake Church in October of 1959 when E.T. Courser was the circuit pastor for the two churches.
The first service in the new church was held on December 10th, 1961. On May 27th, 1962, Rev. Dale A. Woods presided over the dedication of the new Green Oak Church and Bishop E. E. John delivered the dedicatory message.
We have a rich history within the community of Green Oak Township. Throughout the years, we have been greatly blessed by the pastors and members who have been a part of our church and helped make it what it is today.
We want everyone who walks through our doors to be welcomed by the love of Christ and feel at home in our church family.
Our Mission
Love God and people and make disciples.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe the Bible is God’s written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit. It bears unerring witness to Jesus Christ, the Living Word. The Bible has authority over all human life.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
DENOMINATIONAL MISSION STATEMENT
Free Methodist Church
The mission of the Free Methodist Church is to make known to all people everywhere God’s call to wholeness through forgiveness and holiness in Jesus Christ, and to invite into membership and to equip for ministry all who respond in faith.
The “Free Methodist” Name
People sometimes ask: “What’s the difference between Free Methodists and Methodists? “Why are they called Free Methodists? Let us look at the Methodist part of the name first.
“Methodist”
As the name implies, Free Methodists trace their heritage back to original Methodism as led by its founder, John Wesley. When Methodism came to America, churches and annual conferences spread across the land. In 1860, in western New York and Illinois, the Free Methodist Church came into being. In New York a group of 1,000 Methodist laymen held several conventions and were joined by evangelical Methodist pastors. On August 23, 1860 the new denomination came into being.
“Free”
Issues that were important to them included slavery in America. While the mother church did not take a stand, those who took the name “Free” Methodist opposed slavery. Another issue in that time was the widespread practice of renting and selling church pews, thus relegating the poor to benches in the back of the sanctuary. “Free” Methodists called for free seats for all and emphasized tithes and offerings to support the church’s ministries. Freedom in worship, in contrast to deadening formalism, was also important to “Free” Methodists.
As a result, the newly named Free Methodists sought to maintain the heritage of original Methodism with its warm-hearted, biblical message and lifestyle.
What Free Methodist are like
We are proud of our history but important for the present day is the question, “What does it mean to be a Free Methodist now? What are Free Methodists like?” Free Methodists are:
Devoted to Christ
Free Methodists are among those who have experienced spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ, as explained by Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:1-17. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, described his own conversion by saying that when Christ came into his life, “My heart was strangely warmed.” The life-changing miracle of spiritual birth makes a Free Methodist, or any other believer, “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an obedient walk with Him characterize Free Methodist Christians.
Students of the Bible
The inspired, authoritative Word of God is the basis of faith for Free Methodists. They endeavor to live their lives according to its teachings (James 1:22). Their churches offer Bible classes for all ages, preschool through adults, so that all may grow in grace and faith.
Seeking to Live Holy Lives
As a people, Free Methodists seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and live disciplined lives in accord with the Bible’s teachings. The Bible speaks of being “Sanctified,” which has two meanings: set apart and cleansed. Being set apart into Christ and cleansed and filled by the Holy Spirit is more than a goal. It is a way of life taught in the Scriptures.
Worshiping Christians
Free Methodists seek to worship God “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). From church to church, and in multiple services of some local congregations, varieties of worship styles may be found. Yet, the heart of worship is to glorify God and receive biblical instruction.
Witnessing Christians
The goal of Free Methodists is to represent Jesus Christ in their daily living. They do this both through the way they live and in sharing the gospel’s good news with others. Not known to be “hard sell” in their witness, they seek to be humble and winsome in showing Christ through their lives and lips.
Generous Christians
Year after year, Free Methodists are at or near the top in per capita giving of tithes and offerings. Because of their love for the Lord, they follow His example in caring and in generosity. Their track record of compassionate outreach to those in need is seen not only in local congregations, but also in institutional ministries for those with needs Christians can help to meet.
Global Christians
Taking seriously the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20), Free Methodists have gone across the street, into the inner city and around the world with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Local churches, followed by the denomination’s Christian colleges, universities and seminary programs, train and equip men and women for Christian ministry at home and abroad.
A Belonging People
Free Methodists have planted the church and its Christian witness across the North American continent and around the world in nearly 50 countries. As a Christian denomination, Free Methodists belong to the Lord and to each other, even though they speak many world languages. They also belong to various evangelical interdenominational associations.