Are you new to the area and looking for a community of faith for you or your family? Then, come to Asbury. Are you going through a difficult time in your life and have many questions about Jesus, the Church, and your life? Then, come to Asbury. Have you been burned by the Church but still consider yourself a follower of Jesus? Then, come to Asbury. If you made it this far by looking at our website, then why don’t you join us some time? We would love to meet you because we believe that YOU belong here even before you show up!

A little about Asbury. First of all, Asbury is a United Methodist Community of faith, meaning we are connected to a global denomination called the United Methodist Church. We share a theological heritage and conviction that Jesus is at work in the lives of all people before we even realize it ourselves. This means you belong to Jesus even before you believe in Him. Once you realize it, then you become like Him throughout your life.

In the summer of 1995, a group of 25 to 30 United Methodists started meeting together every other week for potlucks and discussions about starting a new United Methodist church in Petal. The youth met together weekly in a home for Bible study. The first worship service of 56 people was January 7, 1996. At the time, this group was referred to as Petal’s newest United Methodist Church, meeting together each Sunday morning in various community centers with a variety of ministers and lay preachers.

 

From its beginning, Asbury’s mission and vision has been founded upon what Jesus says in Matthew’s Gospel, “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world…” [Chapter 5, v. 13 & 14] On September 8, 1996, Asbury Church was officially chartered as a United Methodist congregation. The congregation soon outgrew its temporary location and began to make plans for a permanent site.

Today, Asbury Church is a vital part of the growing community of Petal. Asbury is known for its exceptional work in the area of disaster relief, as well as cutting-edge worship ministries, and discipleship for children and students. Our mission is to “be salt and light” and our vision is “so the world can taste and see that the Lord is good.” The way we live this out is by connecting with Jesus and one another, learning scripture together, and living on mission until we reach the entire world. That’s right; the entire world.

If you are looking for community, you’ve found it. If you’re looking for a place to belong, you’re here. If you’re looking for a place to ask questions, come on. If you’re looking to grow your faith in Jesus and serve, then sign up. If you want to transform the world we live in now, then join us in being “salt and light so the world can taste and see that the Lord is good.”