We believe that as the body of Christ, we are challenged to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, from the cradle to old age, so that they may live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God, witnessing to others as they in turn “equip the saints for the work of ministry” so that all would come to maturity, rather than being “tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine.” [Ephesians 4:11-14] We affirm the primary task of the church to fulfill the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This work defines programming: •    reaching out and receiving people in the name of Jesus Christ •    leading people to a relationship with God in Jesus Christ •    nurturing and strengthening them in their faith, and •    sending people out into the world to live transformed and transforming lives. We help congregations fulfill their primary task. All of our work – our program, our worship, our service, our faith formation, and our fellowship – defines who we are and aligns what we do together as the body of Christ.

Adult Ministries We help Southwest Texas United Methodists to equip adults, ages 18 and older to engage in growth and development as disciples of Jesus Christ to focus on ministry as service to guide the development and training of Christian spiritual leaders. We believe that as the body of Christ, we are challenged to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, including adults, so that they may live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God, witnessing to others as they in turn “equip the saints for the work of ministry” so that they would come to maturity, rather than being “tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine.” [Ephesians 4:11-14] We affirm shared responsibility for ministry by, with, and for adults in all stages of adult development: Young adults (ages 18 to 30) Middle adults (ages 30 to 55) Older adults (ages 55 and older) We are adults in ministry, offering Christ to all through abundant opportunities for leadership, learning, Christian spiritual formation, serving others, and rest & renewal. GO TO THE ADULT MINISTRIES PAGE RESOURCE SPECIALISTS IN ADULT MINISTRY

Children’s Ministries The psalmist declares, “God, you created my inmost being and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” For all these mysteries—for the wonder of myself, for the wonder of children, for the wonder of your works—we thank God. May we appreciate and value all the wonder of our life and the wonders of people and nature. In valuing children and nature, may we protect, affirm, and build a better, more peaceful world. GO TO THE CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES PAGE RESOURCE SPECIALISTS IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Christian Education and Formation Ministries Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:2] Christian education and formation involves more than giving and receiving information about the Bible, the church, and God. This ministry is relational in nature and experiential in practice. It involves forming and transforming the whole person -- heart, mind, body, and spirit.  It's much more than a one hour setting on a Sunday morning. It happens in a variety of venues and among all ages & stages. It involves developing an effective teaching ministry through identifying teachers, inviting them, equipping and supportng them, keeping them informed, and celebrating the ministry of Christian education. Just as important are the curriculum resources, how to select them, and knowing what is available. Christian education IS Christian formation. GO TO THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND FORMATION PAGE RESOURCE SPECIALISTS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Family Ministries We believe the family to be the basic human community through which persons are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility, respect, and fidelity. We affirm the importance of loving parents for all children. We also understand the family as encompassing a wider range of options than that of the two-generational unit of parents and children (the nuclear family). We affirm shared responsibility for parenting where there are two parents and encourage social, economic, and religious efforts to maintain and strengthen relationships within families in order that every member may be assisted toward complete personhood. [The Family ¶161A, The United Methodist Book of Discipline, ©2008] We help Southwest Texas United Methodist Churches to equip families to become centers of faith formation and faith sharing. GO TO THE FAMILY MINISTRIES PAGE RESOURCE SPECIALISTS IN FAMILY MINISTRY

Higher Education and Campus Ministries Outreach to United Methodist college and university students occurs in a variety of ways. Your conference campus ministries excel at offering them Christ. The SWTX Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry encourages you to continue staying in touch with all United Methodist students while supporting these campus ministries. You are invited to visit each campus ministry unit. May God continue to bless our campus ministries and their students. The Southwest Texas Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry offers annual scholarships to United Methodist students, and invites you to give generously to the United Methodist Student Day Offering to fund these scholarships. GO TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAMPUS MINISTRY PAGE

Spiritual Formation The Southwest Texas Conference offers Christian spiritual leadership development programs that support and encourage the process of transformation for individuals, small groups and congregations. Spiritual formation involves nurturing personal attentiveness to God, encouraging spiritual companionship in small groups, fostering spiritual life in families, maturing as spiritual leaders, and connecting people in a worldwide network of prayer and ministry. GO TO THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION PAGE

Worship and Music Ministries “O God, you are my God, I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.” Psalm 63:1-3 Our worship in both its diversity and its unity is an encounter with the living God through the risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. When the people of God gather, the Spirit is free to move them to worship in diverse ways, according to their needs. GO TO THE WORSHIP AND MUSIC MINISTRIES PAGE

Young Adult Ministries Grace2live.org is sponsored by the Council on Young Adult Ministries of the Southwest Texas Conference of the UMC. It is intended to help congregations be aware and reach out with grace to young adults in their communities and congregations. Raising up a new generation of leaders, both clergy and lay, is just what Grace2live.org is all about. Come visit us! GO TO THE YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES PAGE

Youth Ministries Reachingyouth.org is sponsored by the Council on Youth Ministries of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church who is committed to “Reaching Youth for Christ.” Visit this website for dozens of exciting youth events for your local youth group and church ministry. At Reachingyouth.org you will find - Midwinter Retreats, Summer Camps, Discovery Zone, Youth Worship Conference, Chrysalis, DYPS, CCYM, MY Mission, Youth Service Fund, Dive N Deeper, Servant Team & more! GO TO THE YOUTH MINISTRIES PAGE