Dacula United Methodist Church sits along Fence Road in Dacula, Georgia, in the heart of Gwinnett County. A pastor who grew up just down the road leads a congregation that gathers for contemporary and traditional worship each Sunday, runs a weekday preschool, hosts recovery meetings throughout the week, and turns its front lawn into a pumpkin patch each October. The church carries the motto "Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World." It belongs to the United Methodist tradition and is rooted, in the words of Pastor Jeff Rogers, in "God's unconditional love, grace, and serving our community together."
Pastor Jeff is a Gwinnett County native who grew up attending Lawrenceville First UMC. After earning a bachelor's degree in religion from the University of Georgia and completing a master's degree and a doctorate at Emory's Candler School of Theology, he served as an associate pastor at Chamblee UMC and Northside UMC before arriving at Dacula. He and his high school sweetheart Emily have two children, Carson and Charlotte. The congregation and the community he grew up in now share the same zip code, and the church sits minutes from the schools and neighborhoods the family has long called home.
Two Services in One Sanctuary
Sunday mornings at Dacula UMC follow a rhythm shaped for families, seekers, and longtime members alike. A contemporary service begins at 9:00 AM, followed by Sunday School at 9:45 AM, and a traditional service at 11:00 AM. Both services meet in the sanctuary, and childcare is available throughout the morning for infants through preschool.
The contemporary service, led by a worship band, shares the same message and sermon as the later traditional service. The traditional service includes the historic hymns and liturgy that have long characterized United Methodist worship. Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month and is open to everyone. Barrow Community Church also currently worships at Dacula UMC and joins the 9:00 AM contemporary gathering, making the early service a blend of two congregations under one roof.
First-Time Visitors
The church works to make new faces feel at ease. The parking lot offers plenty of spaces, and the main entrance is the first door visitors see as they pull in, so no one has to second-guess which way to go. Inside, the atmosphere is casual and warm. People arrive in everything from jeans to business casual, so newcomers can wear whatever feels right. Children are welcomed in the services, and families who prefer a classroom option can drop their kids off in the nursery or the children's Sunday school area down the hall.
The church's welcome comes with an open invitation. "No matter your background, your questions, or where you are on your spiritual journey, there is a place for you here," Pastor Jeff writes in his greeting to newcomers. Those curious about the denomination's theology can follow a link on the church's pages to read the United Methodist Church's stated beliefs.
Children's Ministry: From Nursery Through Fifth Grade
The children's ministry, branded NextGen Children, exists "to care for the Next Generation of faithful disciples." On Sunday mornings, children in kindergarten through fifth grade have Sunday School at 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM. The 11:00 AM hour begins with children in worship alongside their families, after which they may step out to a dedicated classroom down the hall if they would like. Nursery care is offered for infants through preschoolers for the entire morning.
Each fall, the children's ministry partners with the music and arts program to stage a Children's Christmas Program for children and youth from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Rehearsals run twice a month from September through December, with a mandatory dress rehearsal in early December and a December performance.
Youth Ministry: Sixth Through Twelfth Grade
Students in grades six through twelve have their own corner of the church life. The youth section in the sanctuary, the front row by the big windows, is reserved for them at both the 9:00 AM contemporary and the 11:00 AM traditional services, so they can worship alongside the wider congregation. Student Sunday School meets at 9:45 AM, giving youth a space to ask questions, build friendships, and dig into the Bible.
Wednesday nights are reserved for Youth Group, which runs from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Youth Center. The Director of Youth Ministry, Ellie Bradley, also oversees a High School Girls Bible Study that meets on the second and fourth Sundays from 2:00 to 3:30 PM in the Youth Center. High school boys and young adult men gather once a month on the second Sunday at 4:30 PM for Sports Night, an evening of activities, a short devotion, and fellowship led by Jay Veteto, Kirk Ullengren, and Leon Singh.
Each fall, the church offers a seven-week Confirmation class for students, especially those in sixth and seventh grade, though any student who has not yet been confirmed is welcome. Classes cover United Methodist beliefs, ask big questions, and conclude with Confirmation Sunday in late October. A fall Rooted Retreat takes students in grades six through twelve away for a weekend of fellowship, study, and fun.
Music and Arts
Music sits at the center of both Sunday services, and the church's Music and Arts ministry, led by Director of Music and Arts Amanda Dotson, runs several ensembles. The Chancel Choir is open to interested youth and adults of any experience level. Rehearsals are held each Wednesday from 6:45 to 8:15 PM in the choir room and sanctuary, and choir members lead worship at the 11:00 AM service. The choir also sings for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Christmas Eve.
The Cantata Choir is a seasonal ensemble open to anyone who loves choral singing and Christmas music. Rehearsals are held on one Saturday a month from September through December and on Wednesday evenings, leading to a mandatory dress rehearsal and a seasonal performance. The Acolyte Ministry invites children and youth ages eight and older to assist in worship services once or twice a month, serving alongside adult leaders like Jen Robinson.
Sunday School and Small Groups
Adults who want to study the Bible in a smaller setting can choose from several Sunday School classes. Prime Timers is geared toward seniors and meets in the Parlor right off the lobby. Pathfinders and Journey are both open to adults of any age. A Parents class, discussion-driven and focused on scripture's application to family life, is offered for parents of infants through school-age children. A youth class for middle and high school students meets in the Youth Center.
Weekday study and fellowship groups fill the rest of the week. Wednesday Women meets from 9:30 to 11:30 AM for Bible study, fellowship, and snacks, with ladies from the church and community welcome. Thursday Men gathers at 6:00 AM in the Youth Center. WINGS, Women in God's Service, meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM. The Lunch Bunch, a senior group, meets on the second Thursday at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. ROMEO, Retired Old Men Eating Out, meets on the third Thursday at 9:00 AM at Bojangles on Dacula Road. A book club gathers on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM.
An Adult Bible Study runs on Wednesday evenings during the fall, facilitated by Pastor Jeff and titled "History and Holiness: Understanding the Old Testament." Participants can join any of the six sessions without having attended the previous ones.
Outreach and Recovery
Outreach is woven into the church's identity. The food pantry, located near the little library on campus, accepts canned goods and other donations and stocks shelves to help neighbors facing food insecurity. The Sandwich Project, partnered with The Sandwich Project and Lettum Eat, brings volunteers together on Wednesdays to make sandwiches for families experiencing food insecurity. The church also supports the Lawrenceville Co-Op, which provides for needs across the city.
Dacula UMC opens its doors to recovery groups throughout the week. Alcoholics Anonymous meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, Al-Anon meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM in the Library, and Narcotics Anonymous meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM. A fall session of GriefShare, a support program for those who have lost a loved one, runs on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Library. The groups are open to the community, not just church members.
The church maintains close ties with the surrounding neighborhood. Volunteers partner with Dacula Elementary School to provide snacks, school supplies, and gifts in consultation with school counselors, and monthly projects engage with teenagers through the Dacula Library. A Red Cross blood drive is hosted on campus every eight weeks, and Outreach Saturdays and Serve Sundays draw volunteers into the wider Gwinnett community.
Each October, the church lawn becomes a pumpkin patch that the wider community visits throughout the month. Volunteers staff the patch, collect money, help families load their purchases, and connect with neighbors. A fall festival and chili cookoff fill out the autumn calendar.
Dacula UMC Preschool
Sharing the campus, Dacula UMC Preschool serves young families in the area. The preschool is open Monday through Friday from 9:15 AM to 1:15 PM, and offers four programs for the 2026-2027 school year: Mother's Morning Out for children one year old and walking, a two-year-old preschool, a three-year-old preschool for children who are potty trained, and a four-year-old preschool. Classes meet two, three, four, or five days a week depending on age and family preference, with monthly tuition ranging from $200 to $290.
Director Caitlin Davenport and Assistant Director Kelly Moseley lead a program designed to nurture each child's cognitive, spiritual, emotional, physical, and social development. Tours are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 1:15 PM by appointment. The preschool also incorporates a weekly chapel class for its students on Wednesday mornings. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority windows for church families and legacy families before community registration opens.
Leadership
Pastor Jeff Rogers leads the church alongside a small staff: Amanda Dotson as Director of Music and Arts, Ellie Bradley as Director of Youth Ministry, and Caitlin Davenport as Director of Preschool. The church's denominational beliefs follow the United Methodist Church, and visitors curious about Methodist theology can read more on the denominational site.
Giving and Getting Involved
Members and friends can give to Dacula UMC online through the Amplify member portal, by texting "Give" to 205-635-3450, by mail, by setting the church up as a bill pay vendor, or in person on campus. Pledge cards are available for those prayerfully considering a year-long financial commitment. A weekly email keeps subscribers up to date on events and ministry news, and those interested in formal membership can fill out an online form. Services are livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.