First Methodist Church of Ardmore has a long history and heart to be a missional church. The Global Outreach Team (Go Team) helps facilitate the mission program for First Methodist Ardmore by following Jesus' instructions to create disciples for the Kingdom. The Go Team uses the scripture that calls for action from Acts 1:8. We go to “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.” These are the four quadrants that we seek mission partners in. Missions at First Methodist Ardmore are down the street, across the region, in places that are hard to minister to, and international. Jesus' great commission instructs us clearly about one of the most important roles we serve God in - to reach out and teach the name of Jesus.
Our church affirms “missions” as any undertaking to meet people where they are by extending God’s Kingdom through proclaiming the good news of Jesus for the purpose of making and developing Disciples of Christ. To be his hands and feet by addressing people’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. We believe this is best done by developing relationships and we will make every effort to do so.
Each mission has a “champion” in the church who has a calling to lead and encourage an active role. The list of missionaries changes each year as God brings new opportunities to First Methodist Ardmore. The missions are funded through Faith Promise giving which is a separate giving above and beyond tithing. Each year, the congregation faithfully heads the call for service on their hearts through actions, giving, and service.
Never missioned before?
The Go Team helps prepare the congregation to mission by helping understand what discipleship is, how to be successful on-site, and help with the process and needs of the mission teams. Many times, there is training that is available before the mission. Many of the local mission programs help build skills and prepare hearts for longer or distance missions.
Contact: Amy Hays - Mission’s Coordinator ahays@ardmorefirst.org
Local Quadrant Leader: Randal Chambers
Regional Quadrant Leader: Heidi Hightower
Hard to Reach Quadrant Leader: Heidi Hightower
International Quadrant Leader: Rebecca Reed
Local:
Our local missions give you the opportunity to work directly in our community. Many of these opportunities help bring those around us into a relationship with Christ.
- Grace Center
- Gideons International
- 1-1-1 Project
- Circle of Care
Regional:
Our regional missions are as close as neighboring counties, or can be across the United States. Many of our mission partners serve in areas where there is a desperate need for Jesus. These missions sometimes include construction, discipleship, and acts of service.
- OU Wesley Chinese Ministry
Hard to Reach:
Our Hard to Reach missional areas are those missions where there might be extra requirements or barriers that take special consideration for partnership. Sometimes they have special skills, other times the locations might have limited access due to privacy or security issues. However, we have mission champions who provide opportunities and help those with a heart for this sometimes difficult location to get the necessary equipment to serve in these areas. The Holy Spirit prepares those with a calling to these areas. Jesus did not neglect these areas because they were hard to reach.
- Waymaker
- Gideon’s Rescue
International
Our International partners include missionary support and opportunities to mission in foreign countries where the name of Jesus may not be common and churches are being planted. Some of the mission partners have programs to allow teams to mission along-side them, and others programs allow us to support a specific missionary that has a program on the mission field. Our goal is to be able to send teams periodically to sites where our mission partners have a need for physical and spiritual revival.
- One Mission Society (OMS)
- Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)
- Faces Without Names
- Watoto Neighborhood