As we reflect on 2024 at John Wesley Church, it’s inspiring to see how our leadership model has evolved to meet the unique needs of our neighborhood congregation. This year marked a significant shift as we embraced the Core Leadership Team model, which has proven to be a part of our church’s resilience and growth after disaffiliation. It's been remarkable to witness how our staff has adapted to these changes, showcasing flexibility and innovation.  

 The Core Leadership Team has been instrumental in not only guiding our church through changes but also in ensuring that every decision and action reflects the voices and needs of our congregation. Their dedication and insight have been pivotal in navigating this year's challenges and opportunities. 

The departure of the Executive Pastor position in August necessitated a strategic reevaluation of our staff structure. It's been remarkable to witness how our staff has adapted to these changes, showcasing flexibility and innovation.  

Amidst these changes, John Wesley Church has continued to flourish as a vibrant neighborhood church. We've strengthened our connections within the community, fostering an environment where faith and fellowship intertwine. Our developing long-range plan is a testament to our commitment to future growth, ensuring that our church remains a beacon of hope and a source of spiritual nourishment for years to come. 

John Wesley has been actively involved with Yeager Elementary School in 2023! We have provided provided food and snacks on several occasions for staff, students and substitutes. Also, we provided 10 sets of handbells to the music department, in addition to purchasing 2 bikes for student achievement.

Our congregation donated to a successful school supply drive, and assisted with school can food drive at Thanksgiving arranging for NAM pickup at school of 1500 cans. Several JW members volunteered to assist with holiday parties in December, along with several mentors being placed at the school. We look forward to continue our support of Yeager in 2024!

Our production team continuously strives to meet excellence for each event and worship service. We have managed to create the atmosphere based off each need and help to bring vision to life on first time events such as the “Fireside Chat”. We have worked to successfully carry out events for our Christian School, we have put together creative videos for worship services, and promos for missions such as our ramp builds, or Stephen ministry. We work to create dramatic effect during Holy Thursday and/or our Chancel Christmas Concert, and work on volume dynamics when we host our orchestration.  

Each of our worship services help us bring people closer to the heart of God through our beautiful music no matter the style. Our services have held sweet moments such as baptisms or breakthrough and celebration during worship. Our Chancel Choir continues to amaze us with their efforts and time they put in to create music for Sundays and our celebratory concerts such as Judith Nelson’s 25 year anniversary, our Choir Christmas Concert, & Easter. We continue to have orchestration join us from time to time that directed by Steven Bayless. We also host the Prevailing Winds Orchestra who joins in on so many fun, beautifully sweet choral arrangements.  

Our Modern worship team dives deep into new and old favorites and re-arranges music to fit our JW Culture. The service creates a worshipful atmosphere and allows for vulnerable worship. Vocal and musical solos are carried out each week accompanied by spontaneous prayer and growing more in attendance. Our worship ministries are excited to create bigger worship services for 2024 with guest appearances from Steven, Judith and our Choir in our Modern Worship service and vice versa.

The Altar Guild team stays on top of each calendar event taking place throughout the year, while also keep up with the behind-the-scenes actions such as placing out and caring for our Easter flowers & Christmas Poinsettias and organizing the hanging and taking down of the greens. Our team consistently keeps our sanctuary paraments, cloths, altar table items, and the sanctuary clean and presentable. They also are tasked with setting up for funerals, weddings, and other special events, all while still refilling candles, and keeping up with inventory. We are so thankful for their helping hands.

The John Wesley Softball Team, established on April 28th, had a dynamic 2023 season, participating in approximately 60 games with the involvement of around 35 individuals. Notably, our softball ministry attracted new members to the church, highlighting the positive impact of our team.

Our Women's ministry continues to thrive and expand generations. Our group consist of United Women in Faith, (Hope Circle, Faith and Joy Circle) MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and all adult women of JW. Our groups meet monthly to hear from speakers about many topics including growing in their faith, missions, and much more. We also have the lovely dynamic duo of Linda Spiegelhauer and Carolyn Milby who host a Bible study most Wednesdays in the Wesley Room. Our Women's Leadership team also created a new fall Fireside Chat, with a delicious meal and speaker. 

Men's Ministry

This year a group of our men got away for the weekend. They enjoyed a time of fellowship, hikes at camp and the time of sharing will bring further transformation. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”

2023 has been a great year for the Savvy Seniors! We have played Flamingo Bingo, toured Lanier Theological Library, shopped at Bucees, learned about nutrition, and visited The Brookwood Community. Our purpose is to have fun and fellowship, and to include all who are 50 and older.

Big plans are ahead for 2024!

We have witnessed notable spiritual growth among our students. They have not only deepened their understanding of their faith, but also the ability to verbalize their beliefs. The ability to partner with parents in the spiritual development of their students helps the quality of disciple we produce as a ministry from confirmation through 12th grade. We are excited to continue nurturing alongside our parents, amazing volunteers and small group leaders as we watch them flourish in their spiritual walks.

JWKids Ministry has been on a mission to connect children and families to Christ through a diverse range of events and partnerships. Stellar VBS and the Gingerbread Bash have been recurrent favorites, providing memorable experiences that nurture faith and build lasting connections. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to introduce new events, such as "Baby's First Christmas" and the "Glow Party," with the purpose of connecting young hearts to Jesus. Additionally, our collaborative efforts with JW Christian School, Mops, and JW Kids Choir have reinforced our commitment to pushing forward toward our goal of fostering a thriving and spiritually enriched community. Together, we look forward to continuing this incredible journey of faith and growth. 

JW Christian School hosted a Veteran's Day Program in November. Music was sung by our 3-year-olds and up. Guest artists also participated in singing a few patriotic songs. School families and church members were encouraged to submit a photo of a veteran or someone currently serving in the military to be honored at the event. Everyone was invited to attend the program, write thank you cards to the servicemen, and contribute financially to Camp Hope. 

Join us on January 10th, as our 2024 Wednesday Night Dinners and Bible Study begin. Register for next week's dinner here.

Dinner and fellowship begin at 5:30. Then, at 6:15, bring your Bible, as Pastor Marty teaches JW’s church-wide Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew. All are welcome to this deep dive into a verse-by-verse study of the first book of the New Testament. 

Register for the Pastor's Bible Study here.

“What about my Discipleship Pathway?”  

We are taking a short season to fine tune our pathways and look forward to the improvements and options we will soon have to offer you. Thank you for being committed to grow together as a church that Connects People to Jesus.  

Upcoming Sermon Series

Ernest Hemingway said,

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”

It's important to note that these types of brokenness are not mutually exclusive and can often intertwine. Our brokenness is what makes us human. God didn't intend for us to be like robots. Every single person deals with one or more of the following types of brokenness: inner brokenness, inherited brokenness, imposed brokenness, inspiring brokenness, or invited brokenness. We often view broken things as valueless, but God has the power to transform what is broken into something greater, something He can employ for His divine purpose. The new year brings new life as we connect deeper with God.

As we look towards the future, we do so with gratitude for our past and present, and with unwavering faith in what lies ahead. Together, we are building a legacy of faith, service, and community at John Wesley Church. THIS IS HOW WE WESLEY!