How We Serve Plug Me In - I'm Ready To Serve
Jesus: "For even I didn't come to be served but to serve others and give my life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
GET PLUGGED INTO SERVING TODAY!
When someone serves at FUMC, simple serving is turned into amazing ministry. God calls us into a life of service. When you use your gifts and passions to serve others, it honors God and helps you grow in your personal journey with Christ. Our spiritual growth process called Raise The Bar was created to help people become aware of their spiritual gifts and get plugged into serving at FUMC and beyond. It is our desire that as we strive to be more like Christ in our daily life, that serving would become a lifestyle rather than just a volunteer opportunity.
Learn more about Spiritual Gifts and take an online gifts assessment.
MISSIONS & OUTREACH
If you're interested in becoming a part of our outreach team or finding out about our next opportunity to serve, please contact our Outreach Ministry Director, Kris Riley or call 337-1527.
"The Body" ~ feet that go...hands that serve...
A new way to serve Odessa! "The Body" began with it's first project on February 21, 2009. The mission is to share the love to Jesus Christ through our actions, words and deeds with a servants heart. We “The Body” want to go out into the community and serve those that need a helping hand. We want to be Gods hands and feet to the world and truly love our neighbors. Please serve with us and let God work through you to change lives right here in Odessa, Texas. Check out a video of our first project below.
If you are interested in serving through "The Body" please contact Karen Ward at 432.770.0641.
Children’s Clothes Closet
The Children’s Clothes Closet was established in 1997 in order to provide clothing for children living in poverty in Odessa and the surrounding communities. It is staffed completely by volunteers from area churches and continues to bring smiles to the faces of children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to own a new pair of socks or a new shirt or dress. Referrals are made only through ECISD school personnel. If you know of someone in need of assistance, please contact Robbie Brazelton or Sue Wright or have them contact their school counselor or social worker to fill out a referral.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Children’s Clothes Closet to help collect, sort and distribute clothing, please contact Robbie Brazelton or Sue Wright.
The clothes closet is open Mondays from 1:00 -3:00 p.m. and Wednesdays 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Food Pantry
The First United Methodist Church Food Pantry provides meal essentials for families and individuals living in poverty. Their mission is to expand and one day to begin English As A Second Language courses. The Food Pantry is located across the street from the church at 412 N. Lee and is open on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
If you would like to volunteer to help serve and pack bags of food for families and individuals in our area, please contact Phil Szenasi.
Volunteers In Mission
United Methodist Volunteers In Mission exists to promote, encourage and enable Christians to exemplify “Christian Love in Action.” Their aim is to achieve the Great Commission through providing short-term mission opportunities for everyday Christians. If you are interested in being trained and going on a VIM trip, please contact Sue Wright.
Kids First
Kids First is a program of Centers for Children and Families that is designed to maintain consistency in the lives of children during times of separation and divorce. 
Kids First provides a relaxed and comfortable setting where, under the supervision of trained volunteers, non-custodial parents can have positive and productive visits with their children. FUMC hosts these visits at the church in the children’s ministry classrooms. Clients are typically referred to the program by a family court judge but self-referred clients are also accepted.
Volunteers are always needed to supervise the visits. If you are interested in giving of your time to this much needed program, please contact Lori Nelson for more information about being trained. Each volunteer is trained by the staff members of Centers for Children and Families. For more on Centers for Children and Families click here.