Mary Esther United Methodist Church sits on the east side of Miracle Strip Parkway, the main east-west corridor that runs through Mary Esther, Florida, between Hurlburt Field and the Gulf coast beaches. Across the Okaloosa County seat of Fort Walton Beach and within easy reach of Eglin Air Force Base, the church has long been a presence in a community shaped by military families, retirees, and beach-town rhythms. Its motto, "We invite ALL to come and experience the Love, Peace and Joy that comes from a life journey with Jesus!," sets the tone for a congregation that aims to be a warm, come-as-you-are place to worship.
Each week the church gathers for a single 9:00 a.m. sanctuary service, with Sunday School for all ages following at 10:15. The church also runs Little Angels Preschool, a faith-based early childhood program for ages one through four, and a regular midweek rhythm of dinners, Bible study, and choirs. Mary Esther UMC serves not only the town of Mary Esther but also surrounding Fort Walton Beach, Navarre, Destin, Shalimar, Wright, Cinco Bayou, Valparaiso, Niceville, Hurlburt Field, and Eglin Air Force Base, communities the congregation lifts in prayer week by week. The Cross and Flame that appears on church materials is the registered trademark of The United Methodist Church.
Sunday Mornings at 9:00
Sunday worship at Mary Esther UMC centers on a single sanctuary service at 9:00 a.m. The service follows a traditional Methodist pattern that includes congregational singing, prayer, scripture reading, a children's moment, and a sermon. Children are welcomed into the sanctuary and released during the children's moment to the church nursery, where volunteers care for infants through age three for the remainder of the service. Parents are invited to bring a snack, diapers, and wipes; nursery workers walk the children back to the room, or families can follow along and drop them off in person.
After the service, at 10:15 a.m., Sunday School meets for all ages. Children's Sunday School welcomes children ages three through fifth grade and uses a four-week themed curriculum with Bible stories, games, and hands-on activities. Older students gather through the Student Ministry for middle and high schoolers, and adults meet in their own classes.
The church answers a few questions first-time visitors often ask. Dress is "come as you are," since members arrive in everything from Sunday best to shorts and a T-shirt. Children are welcome in the worship service, and the sound of crying babies is welcomed as a sign of a growing church. First-time guests are not asked to stand, speak, or be put on the spot, and they are greeted warmly before and after the service. No prior Bible reading is required; newcomers are invited simply to come, be relaxed, and find some time to be still with God. For those unable to attend in person, the 9:00 a.m. service is livestreamed on YouTube, and giving is available online through the Church Center app.
Children, Students, and Sunday School
Children's Ministries at Mary Esther UMC cover nursery care, Sunday morning worship, and Sunday School. Mallory Barton directs the ministry. A lifelong member of the church, Barton grew up attending Mary Esther UMC, worked at Little Angels Preschool while earning her elementary education degree at Northwest Florida State College, and taught preschool special-needs classes in the local school system before returning to the church. She and her husband live in Shalimar with their two sons. Her heart for the role is summed up in a verse she holds close: Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"
The Student Ministry describes itself as "a place for middle and high school students to feel welcomed and accepted." Its stated mission is to reach out to students, connect them with believers, help them grow their faith, and challenge them to discover their purpose and honor God with their lives.
The church runs a children's choir that rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m., when children gather with Mallory in the choir room for singing, dancing, and games.
Little Angels Preschool
A fixture on the Mary Esther UMC campus, Little Angels Preschool is a faith-based early childhood program serving children ages one through four. Its mission is to teach each child to know God, love God, and serve God, in a nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment that encourages growth mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. Sage Nikitin directs the program.
The school year runs from August through May, with programs offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon or from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Two-day, three-day, and five-day schedules are available for ages one through three, and four-year-olds receive VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) instruction at no charge when families obtain a state VPK voucher. After-care from noon to 3:00 p.m. is available for VPK students. Tuition is due by the tenth of each month, with a ten percent sibling discount applying to each additional child. A summer camp program offers themed week-long sessions for children ages one through seven, with morning hours from 9:00 a.m. to noon and weekly or three-week session pricing.
Little Angels is licensed by the State of Florida (License # C01OK0048) and welcomes enrollment for the upcoming school year.
Meet Pastor Jenni Hendrix
The senior pastor at Mary Esther UMC is Rev. Jenni Hendrix. A native of the annual conference, Jenni grew up in Dothan, Alabama, earned a degree in Secondary Education from Troy University, and completed her Master of Divinity at Candler School of Theology. Over the past decade she has served United Methodist churches in the Pensacola, Dothan, and Mobile areas, and she also works with United Methodists in the Troy area to start a new church. In the conference office she serves as Director of Ministerial Services, supporting clergy moving toward ordination and appointment. Jenni has a young daughter named Dottie whose interests include dinosaurs, rock collecting, soccer, and Paw Patrol. She is glad to be back in the pulpit, walking alongside the people of Mary Esther UMC in ministry to the local community.
The staff supporting Pastor Jenni includes the Director of Music and Worship and Director of Congregational Care, who leads the chancel choir and soloists; Mallory Barton as Director of Children's Ministry; Sage Nikitin as Director of Little Angels Preschool; Administrative Assistant Mary Jane Nogay; and Church Treasurer Diana Reynolds.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday evenings at Mary Esther UMC are built around fellowship and formation. The week starts at 5:00 p.m. with Chat and Chew Family Dinners, a home-style meal served in the fellowship area at $8 for adults, $5 for children ages four through twelve, and free for children three and under. The menu includes chicken nuggets for picky eaters. At 5:30 p.m., while the adults head to Bible study with Pastor Jenni, the children move to the choir room with Mallory for Children's Choir practice, an evening of singing, dancing, and games.
Pastor Jenni leads an adult Bible study at 5:30 p.m. that has explored, in recent seasons, themes such as the many names of God in Scripture. The evening closes with Chancel Choir rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. The handbell ensemble is on pause and may resume in the future.
Dinner reservations are posted each week on the church's Facebook page; sign-ups close at noon on Tuesday so the kitchen knows how much to prepare.
Music, Men's Group, and the Podcast
Music ministry at Mary Esther UMC centers on the Chancel Choir, which rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and sings at Sunday services. Soloists also perform at special services and events alongside the Director of Music and Worship.
The Mary Esther UMC Men's Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. under the leadership of George Joseph. The men describe themselves as a mission arm of the church, building Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets for hungry families, doing repair work around the church and out in the community, and grilling the best chicken at church gatherings.
A long-form conversation with the church is offered through the "Between You & ME" podcast, hosted by Dr. Sam Parkes. Episodes feature people meaningfully connected to Mary Esther UMC and update the congregation on upcoming events. Episodes are available on the church's YouTube page and on Anchor.
Upper Room, the Church Center App, and Prayer
Mary Esther UMC keeps The Upper Room daily devotional available in the Narthex on the last Sunday of every other month; copies are placed the month before each two-month cycle, so January-February editions are placed in December. Anyone who arrives after the copies have been picked up can stop by the church office Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; the office keeps extra copies in the lobby for visitors to read. The Upper Room, a global ministry founded in 1935, supports the spiritual life of Christians across many denominations.
For daily connection with the congregation, the church points members to the Church Center app, available on the App Store and Google Play. The app lets members update their contact information, register for events, check in to worship services, participate in groups, and donate. Check-in through the app tracks household members for worship attendance.
A prayer request form is available for anyone who would like the church to pray for a person or situation. The pastor and congregation also keep the church family in prayer during times of illness and recovery, lifting members by name in weekly updates.
Giving and Staying Connected
Mary Esther UMC is supported by the prayers, presence, gifts, and service of its members and donors. Gifts can be given online through the Church Center app, at the giving page, or mailed to PO Box 846, Mary Esther, FL 32569.
The church's address is 703 E Miracle Strip Parkway, Mary Esther, Florida 32569. The office phone is (850) 243-7595, and the general email is office@maryestherumc.org.
Sunday service is at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary, with Sunday School for all ages beginning at 10:15 a.m. Nursery care for infants through age three is offered during the worship hour. On the second Saturday of each month, the Men's Group gathers at 8:00 a.m. On Wednesdays, dinner is at 5:00 p.m., Bible study and Children's Choir meet at 5:30 p.m., and Chancel Choir rehearses at 7:00 p.m. Little Angels Preschool runs Monday through Friday during the school year, with summer camp sessions for young children. Mary Esther United Methodist Church sits on Miracle Strip Parkway ready to welcome anyone walking through its doors for the first time, anyone returning after time away, and anyone who has been part of the family all along.