Immanuel United Methodist Church, known locally as Elida Immanuel Church, sits on Sunnydale Avenue in the village of Elida in Allen County, Ohio. The congregation frames its work around three movements: making disciples of Jesus Christ, maturing as disciples, and ministering as disciples. Around the surrounding community it is recognized as much for what happens off its own property as for what happens inside it, especially its partnership with LifeWise Academy, a released-time Bible program that pulls students out of Elida public schools for off-site Scripture instruction during the school day.
Sunday Worship and the Education Hour
Worship is the focal point of the week at Elida Immanuel. Sunday worship begins at 9:30 a.m., and visitors are welcomed with what the church describes as positive, practical messages aimed at encouraging people for the week ahead. Anyone looking for a church home is invited to join in the Sunday morning service.
Right after worship the church moves straight into its Education Hour at 10:45 a.m., which runs until 11:30 a.m. Two adult Sunday school classes study various books of the Bible and video teachings from well-known pastors and speakers. Children's ministry is organized under the banner Kidz Konnect, with age-appropriate classes from birth through twelfth grade: a nursery and toddler room for the youngest, K-5th grade, 6th-8th grade (junior high), and 9th-12th grade (senior high). Each group meets at the same 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. block so families arrive and leave together.
Midweek Bible Study Around the Calendar
Midweek study fills both mornings and evenings at Elida Immanuel.
Men's Group gathers Tuesday mornings from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. for prayer and Bible study and is open to men of all ages. Women's Bible Study meets Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., September through May, with participants choosing the books of the Bible they want to study in depth.
The pastor's Deep Dive Bible study runs twice on Wednesdays - 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and again from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - so morning and evening schedules are both covered. Both sessions focus on the sermon text for the upcoming Sunday and are held in person at the church.
LifeWise Academy in the Elida Schools
One of the defining ministries of Elida Immanuel is its partnership with LifeWise Academy, a Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) program. Through this partnership, students in grades 1-7 in the Elida School system are released from class during the school day, with parental permission, to attend off-site, privately funded Bible classes. The church has expressed the hope of expanding the program to additional grade levels as time and resources allow.
LifeWise Academy, part of the Stand for Truth ministry of Joel Penton, organizes its work around three commitments: keep it legal, by remaining privately funded, off school property, and limited to students with parental permission; keep it simple, by focusing on the central messages of the Bible rather than the finer points of religious doctrine; and keep it practical, by aiming for real and lasting change in students, schools, and communities. Elida Immanuel also hosts a LifeWise Vacation Bible School each summer, drawing more than 100 children for a week of activities built around a single Bible theme.
Missions: Family Promise, Food, and Beyond
Mission work beyond the building is a strong emphasis at Elida Immanuel. The church partners with Family Promise, a ministry supporting families experiencing homelessness, and hosts families through that network on a rotating basis. The congregation contributes monthly to Our Daily Bread, a community meal ministry, and provides ongoing support to the Allentown Food Pantry.
Each year the church organizes a school supply drive and an annual Christmas drive that gathers gifts and supplies for community members in need. The congregation has also taken part in Ignite Lima, a community service effort in the nearby city of Lima, and has sent teams on longer mission trips for hurricane relief work. A picture gallery of these mission projects - past trips, hosting weeks, and local outreach - is kept on the church's site.
M&M's: Senior Fellowship
For older adults, Elida Immanuel runs M&M's (Mature Members), a monthly luncheon that begins at noon. The group is open to senior citizens from the entire community, and people do not need to belong to Elida Immanuel to take part. The luncheons combine food, fellowship, and friendship, with dates set in the monthly calendar.
Visiting Elida Immanuel Church
First-time visitors will find the church at 699 Sunnydale Avenue, Elida, Ohio 45807, with the office open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to noon, and closed on Friday. The phone number is (419) 331-2366, and the office email is immanuel@bright.net. Online giving is available through Vanco, allowing one-time gifts, special project donations, and recurring contributions from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Sermon videos are posted to the church's Facebook page, which doubles as the most up-to-date sermon archive.
As part of the Global Methodist Church, Elida Immanuel brings together Sunday worship, a full Sunday school program for every age, weekday Bible studies for men and women, a LifeWise Academy partnership serving Elida students, and a robust slate of local and regional mission work. The small congregation on Sunnydale Avenue reaches well beyond its own doors into the schools, neighborhoods, and wider community of Allen County.