First Methodist Church of Azle sits on Church Street in Azle, Texas, between the community's main thoroughfares and residential blocks that have grown up around it. Known locally as FMCA, the church has been a steady presence in Tarrant County since the founding families first laid bricks on this spot, and it continues to serve as a hub for worship, education, and outreach in Azle and the surrounding communities.
The church's mission is captured in four phrases: "Know Jesus, Grow in His love, Serve one another, and Share the gospel." A Global Methodist Church chartered within the last several years, FMCA holds to the Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith of the Global Methodist Church, anchors its teaching in the Bible, and ministers under the watch of the MidTexas Annual Conference. Pastor Ray Gilman has preached the church through extended series such as "Disciples Don't Stop" and "Life in Christ," and the SPR Council, working with the MidTexas Annual Conference, has begun a search for the next senior pastor.
Two Worship Styles, One Word at the Center
Sunday morning at FMCA offers two distinct services built around the same Scripture and the same message. The 8:30 a.m. service takes place in the Sanctuary, the oldest part of the church building, with its stained glass, wood, and masonry. Pews fill the space where a mix of elements come together for worship - the Sanctuary Choir, organ, praise band, piano, and soloists chosen to fit the season. Liturgy, creeds, and altar calls frame a Gospel-focused message, and the music weaves traditional hymns, gospel, and contemporary songs side by side. Holy Communion is served at the 8:30 service on the first Sunday of every month.
At 10:45 a.m. the focus shifts to the HUB, a multipurpose space adjoining the kitchen with a stage for the praise band and a large projection area. Padded chairs in rows face a Gospel-focused message supported by a full stage band. The service is musically heavier than the early service, with a sound presentation of the same text. Holy Communion is also offered at the 10:45 service on the first Sunday of every month.
Both services are livestreamed on YouTube through the First Methodist Church of Azle channel so anyone who cannot attend in person can still take part. A sermon archive carries recent messages from both services, and a separate summer worship series ("Life in Christ") is preserved for those who want to catch up at their own pace.
What to Expect on a First Visit
FMCA has built its first-time guest experience around the conviction that going to a new church can be intimidating. Greeters stand at the covered entrance facing Church Street and help direct newcomers to the Sanctuary, the HUB, or the Atrium where coffee and refreshments are available. The front parking lot has designated guest spots, and a rear lot provides additional parking. Worship is casual in dress, with most members wearing something in the range of business casual to business formal, but visitors are welcome to come as they are.
For families with young children, clean and well-staffed nurseries are provided during all services. The nursery sits on the main floor in room 106 and is open to infants through age four. Children second grade and under may attend "Kids Church" in room 108 right after the "Children's Time" segment during the 8:30 service; during the 10:45 service, children are encouraged to stay with their families in the pew.
The sermon style is described as sound expository preaching. Each message focuses on the point of the Biblical text being addressed, and the goal is transformation into the likeness of Christ. From the pulpit, members and visitors hear teaching centered on the Word and applied to daily life, including weekly prayer, the offering of gifts, and the reading of Scripture.
All-Ages Sunday School
Between the two services, the church gathers for Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. with classes for every age. Children's Sunday School classes meet in the Cornerstone Learning Zone on the lower floor of the Educational Building and use hands-on experiences to help young disciples see, hear, touch, and feel the Scriptures. The youth Sunday School class meets in the Youth Room on the second floor. Adults choose from several classes located throughout the main floor:
- The Adventurers Class meets in room 111 and welcomes adults across a wide age range who want to grow in their knowledge of God. It is facilitated by Monica Goth.
- It is facilitated by Santo Forte.
- The Renegades class meets in room 110 and uses multiple Bible versions and outside references for open discussion. It is facilitated by Sharla Bursey.
- The Upper Room class meets in room 113 and includes singles and couples active in the life of the church and in their families. Several members of the class share facilitation.
The current session of GriefShare is also meeting in the same Sunday School hour. GriefShare is a 12 to 13 week Christian grief support group with video presentations, a study book, and weekly time for sharing, learning, and questions. There is no charge for the program beyond a voluntary offering for the workbook.
Children's Ministry from the Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children are described as "blessings from the Lord - like arrows in a quiver," taken from Psalm 127, and the goal is to disciple them with hands-on experiences that bring the Bible to life. The nursery is provided for infants through age four during all Sunday morning services and many weekday events. It sits in the educational wing with a specific area equipped for both infants and toddlers, and the ministry staff is experienced in childcare.
On Sundays, children in first grade and younger have a special opportunity of their own. After the "Children's Time" segment during worship, an adult leader guides those first-graders and younger children to Children's Church in room 108, next to the nursery.
Wednesday evenings add another layer. During the school year, children meet at 6:00 p.m. for music, then from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. for Bible learning, activities, games, crafts, and more. In past years the children have put on a talent show, a Christmas play, and a musical for family, friends, and the church, all rehearsed during this hour.
Vacation Bible School rounds out the summer. The next program runs for four evenings with a Bible-times theme featuring marketplace shops, a visit with the Apostle Paul under house arrest, a stop at the cave where the Underground Church met, and games, music, and snacks that bring God's Word to life for everyone who takes part.
Youth NOW - Not the Future, but the Present
Youth ministry at FMCA is intentionally named "Youth NOW" rather than the future. The program is built around the conviction that young people are not waiting in the wings - they are participating now, in worship, in service, and in fellowship. The aim is to help them survive the teen years and grow into adulthood rooted in Christ, with parents and the wider church walking alongside them in prayer and encouragement.
Youth Sunday School is offered for students in 6th through 12th grade in the Youth Room on the upper level. Two regular weekly gatherings bracket the school week:
- Sunday Night Youth meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for 6th through 12th graders. The night starts with a snack supper in the HUB, then moves to activities like Elevated 9 Square, GaGa Ball, Dodge Ball, and movie nights, and ends with worship and a devotional.
- Wednesday Night Youth meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. for 6th through 12th graders. Dinner is available beforehand in the Family Life Center from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., with to-go meals also offered.
Confirmation is offered for 6th graders as an in-depth exploration of the Christian faith. The class is led by the Senior Pastor and generally meets beginning in January of each year, covering core beliefs, questions about God, what it means to follow Jesus, and how God's grace shows up in daily life.
Youth musicians are invited to sing or play in worship and special events, solo or in ensembles. The 10:45 worship band meets for rehearsal at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in the HUB, and the Music Director is planning new opportunities for youth musicians at all skill levels. A Ministry Participation Form signed by a parent or guardian is required for all youth activities.
Bryson Ingle coordinates Children and Youth Ministry. He grew up in Azle and was raised in the church, and he organizes events that range from mission trips and mystery trips to farm visits and progressive dinners. His goal is to grow the faith of young people while having fun as a church family.
Adult Discipleship and Bible Study
Adult discipleship at FMCA centers on Bible study and small groups. Several meet regularly throughout the week in addition to the Sunday School hour.
Iron Sharpens Iron meets on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
The Men's Breakfast Bible Study meets on Tuesdays with breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Facilitators Bill Collins and Glenn Cary lead the group in reading and discussing a chapter of the Bible and applying its message to daily life, finishing in time for members to head to work. Coffee and conversation are available beforehand.
Women's Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. in room 113 during the school year. The Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m. in the same room and is facilitated by Monica Goth, with an alternate book study and lunch schedule during the summer.
Music Across the Church
Music is woven into every age group at FMCA. Grant Newman, the Choir and Music Director, grew up in the Springtown/Azle area, studied music at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, and began his work as a music minister at Ridglea United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, where he met his wife Alyssum Power, who serves as the church's Education and Family Ministry Director.
The music ministry includes:
- Music for Children: Grades K through 5 meet on Wednesday evenings to learn songs of Scripture and spiritual truth and sing in worship and special programs. They often prepare plays and musicals at Christmas and in the spring.
- Music for Youth: Youth musicians serve as soloists or in ensembles for worship and special events, working with the Music Director on new vocal and instrumental opportunities.
- Music for Adults: The Sanctuary Choir meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Music Suite on the second floor of the church sanctuary building, preparing music for the 8:30 a.m. service and presenting cantatas and musicals during seasons. The Worship Band meets on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the HUB, preparing music for the 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service and other events, and welcomes musicians of all skill levels. The Christmas Cantata Chorus of Azle FMC meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for singing Christmas hymns and songs in a fresh style, with the cantata presented during worship on a Sunday in December.
Those who do not sing or play an instrument are welcome to help with choir activities, organize music, or support the church's musical productions through prayer.
Local Missions and Outreach
FMCA is committed to more than financial support of missions - it puts teams on the ground. The church's vision is "Grow with Azle," casting FMCA as a community resource that grows alongside the city as roads expand, houses are built, and new neighbors move into the area.
The In-House Mission Team
An in-house mission team completes several projects a year, answering calls whenever possible to assist elderly members and neighbors with repairs and new projects such as handicap ramps, fixing and hanging doors, deck repairs, and yard work. The Serving Ministries Council welcomes new helping hands.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
With sponsors from local banks, businesses, churches, the Azle Ministerial Alliance, and individuals, FMCA hosts a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner open to the public on Thanksgiving Day. In a recent year the church served 500 meals, including deliveries by reservation to homebound neighbors who cannot join in person.
Local Agencies Supported
- Community Caring Center of Azle: a nonprofit helping those in need throughout Azle and the Azle Independent School District with food, clothing, household items, utility assistance, emergency dental care and medications, backpacks for kids' food programs, Christmas dinner boxes, and counseling and referrals.
- Safe Harbor Counseling Center: a full range of counseling services from a Christian perspective using biblically based principles to promote personal growth, healthy family relationships, and emotional and spiritual well-being.
- Good N.E.W.S: a mission founded in 1997 to help the most vulnerable in the community remain in their own homes with friendly visits, shopping assistance, yard work, and minor household repairs.
- Eagle Mountain Pregnancy Help Center: a 1997-launched ministry serving Springtown, Azle, Lake Worth, and Fort Worth with pregnancy tests and verification, individual education classes, high school graduation support, fatherhood mentorship, counseling, Christian discipleship, and referrals. All services are free to program participants.
Good Neighbors Project
Since 2016, FMCA has partnered with the City of Azle, the Servolution Network, local businesses, other church denominations, and community volunteers through the Good Neighbors Project to assist local families with repairs they cannot complete themselves, bringing homes in line with city codes. Twice a year, in April and October, hundreds of volunteers gather for a two-day work weekend. Work includes new siding, roofs, landscaping, painting entire houses, and handicap ramps. All work is completed by volunteers and is free to the families served.
Disaster Relief Teams
Members of FMCA have joined an Early Response Team that travels to areas hit by natural disasters - fires, tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes - cutting downed trees, covering roofs with tarps, removing debris, and assessing damage for the next set of work crews. Trips range from a single day to six days away from home.
Special Worship Through the Liturgical Year
Beyond the regular Sundays, FMCA marks the rhythms of the Christian year with a handful of special services. Ash Wednesday opens the season of Lent with an invitation to repentance. Good Friday gathers the church for "The Reproaches of Christ." Advent brings a Blue Christmas Service for those carrying grief into the holidays, a Family Christmas Service on Christmas Eve, and a Christmas Eve candlelit worship. The Christmas Cantata - most recently "Night of the Father's Love" - is presented during worship on a Sunday in December, and a Children's Christmas program is rehearsed on Wednesday evenings during the season.
Beliefs and Membership
FMCA holds to the Holy Scriptures as the complete Word of God - the true rule and guide for faith and practice. The church teaches the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, the Ten Commandments, and the Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith of the Global Methodist Church.
Beliefs center on one God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - infinitely wise and loving, who creates, sustains, and redeems the world. The church confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, the eternal Son of God, who became truly human through the Virgin Mary, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, rose again on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. The Holy Spirit is honored as the giver of life, who convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment, comforts the faithful, sustains them, and guides them into all truth.
On salvation, FMCA teaches that humanity is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of Jesus Christ, is inclined to evil. God saves by preventing, convincing, justifying, sanctifying, and glorifying grace, and Christ's atoning sacrifice is meant for all humanity - the perfect and sufficient offering for the sins of the whole world.
Membership is open to anyone who claims Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Members take vows to encourage one another in Christian love and to hold one another to common beliefs in Christ and his Church. The church acknowledges that "we are not perfect (all sinners saved by God's grace in Christ), but we take our vows seriously and graciously as we live holy lives together in the Spirit of Christ." Those interested in joining are encouraged to contact the church office.
Leadership and Staff
The church is led by a leadership team of pastors and staff members dedicated to Christ and to the life of the congregation.
The current ministry staff includes:
- Grant Newman, Director of Choir and Music.
- Alyssum Power, Education and Family Ministry Director.
- Bryson Ingle, Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator.
Pat Noe serves as Business and Finance Manager, Stacy Johnson as Office Manager, and Richard Noe as Building and Facilities Manager - the hands that keep the books straight, the phones answered, and the building standing.
Visiting First Methodist Church of Azle
FMCA is located at 200 Church Street in Azle, Texas, with the main office open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The phone number is 817-444-3323 and the fax line is 817-444-3799. The general email is church@fmcazle.org. Worship services are also livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, and giving is available online.
For a first visit, the church recommends entering through the doors at the covered entrance on Church Street, where greeters will help direct visitors to the Sanctuary for the 8:30 service or to the HUB for the 10:45 service. Coffee and refreshments are available in the Atrium, and front-row parking spots are reserved for guests. FMCA invites everyone who comes to make themselves at home, to visit with neighbors, and to discover what it means to pursue God together.