A church can have many angles from which it wants to impact its congregation. How many often take the route of challenge? Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church does. Pastor James McMillan of PRUMC has a wonderful way of making the scriptures real and applicable. Every week he comes to the pulpit with fresh revelation of who God is and how we are to know him in deep personal ways. PRUMC is very traditional in its ways but at the same time has an edge that some people might be looking for. There are three services, 8:15; 10:00; 11:15, the first two have traditional worship and the last has contemporary worship. The band that plays is very talented and certainly puts on a small show. Even though this church is small you may easily feel as though you are a part of something bigger.
Something readily unique is that this church is 150 years old. It started on another piece of property not too far from its current place on Dixie drive and HWY 64. The church has been at this location for the past 70 years (give or take a few) and has no plan on moving any time soon. Strike up a conversation with any of the youth and you will soon find that most of their relatives as far back as their great great grandmother’s have gone to this methodist church. It is quite well rooted! As intimidating as that may sound, for being a community to break into, it is quite the opposite. The people are very welcoming, attentive and genuinely caring. This congregation is eager to help each other, support each other and encourage each other. Just this last fall the whole church got together to have a Tyler Junior College fall kick off and served food to the students and played music in the streets. The neighborhood was full of conversation, music and love. It was quite the evening!
They also have a very good youth program in the first and second services. The older youth (Junior High and High School) meet at least once a week, they eat together, play games and have a time of focusing on God’s word. The Young Adults (college age) are encouraged to be there with the youth and also spend quite a bit of time together, being there for each other.
Right now the church is being challenged to read the Bible in 90 days. They are on the second week and are going strong. They are meeting in small groups every week to discuss the revelations from God about his word. Pastor James has done a really good job portraying God’s heart and intent as he has studied Abraham and shared it with the congregation. There is quite a sense of reality to the scriptures that he isn’t afraid to deliver!
Wednesday nights at 6:00 this family meets together to eat dinner and enjoy each other. They serve wonderful food and only ask a simple donation of whatever you have when you come. Family Night Life is the place to be for community of Wednesdays.
PRUMC is well worth your try to see what they have going on. Check it out!