Welcome by Pastor Kevin
Welcome from Pastor Kevin
Hey, I want to say a big THANK YOU for visiting our website. We hope that you will join us for worship of God this Sunday at 8:30 or 11:00.
I went to school during the 1970 and 80s. I was bullied and called "fat" because I was chubby and I was made fun of because I stutter. I grew up on a steady diet of Star Wars, Superman, comic books, the Love Boat and Indiana Jones. I was never happy until I discovered the Bible and Christianity. Once I realized that there is a God and that God loves me unconditionally, that's when my self-esteem took off, and I learned to exercise and lose weight and I learned to slow down my speech and it all began with knowing that I am loved by the Almighty God.
God wants to talk to you. He wants to be your friend. It doesn't matter how religious you are or you aren't. It doesn't matter the mistakes you've made, what you've done in the past, or even what you're doing right now. He took your sins when He died on the cross. He paid the price for every mistake, every wrong. He is waiting to hear from you. You might think, "Well, Kevin. I'm not a religious person. I wasn't raised in church like you were". I'm not talking about being religious. Jesus didn't come to start a religion. He came to have a relationship with you. He has a purpose and a destiny for your life. He is the one who created you. He knows the reason that you are here. When you come into agreement with him, your life will be more rewarding, more fulfilling.
By the grace of God, Antioch United Methodist Church is one of the growing Methodist churches in Springfield and the Ozarks region. We believe in experiencing the Power and Presence of God in our lives, and when you worship God at Antioch, I guarantee that you will receive a warm greeting by the people and you will be inspired by God's message for you!
The people of this church TRULY care about each other and visit each other when they're sick or hospitalized, and they are committed to doing ministry with excellence. Our mission is to "reach UP, reach IN, and reach OUT " Crosslines Food Distribution, Wednesday Bible study, Adult Choir, Outdoors ministry, Youth Ministry, children's Sunday School and 11:30 nursery/children's church, and more!
When you attend Antioch, you're not going to be judged by how you dress or your past, you're not going to hear about politics or money, you're not going to get hype or guilt or high pressure sales tactics. You will feel welcomed. You will enjoy the beautiful music, and you will be BLESSED.
During the worship service, there is a Children's Moment with the pastor. All children, including toddlers and younger elementary age children are encouraged to come down to the altar area. It's a good way for the pastor to connect with the children one to one. We also have a children's church, which starts right before the sermon.
I am originally from St. Louis, and I got my Bachelor of Arts college degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) with a major in psychology. According to the 2023 U.S. News & World Report, UMSL has climbed in ranking to number 107 among all public universities in the country, an increase of 11 spots from last year's 118 spot. UMSL now ranks number 212 among all national universities, up from number 239. I graduated from Saint Paul School of Theology in 1999. I was a featured speaker on the live, call-in show "Ask the Pastor" on the TCT Christian Television network. My wife and I would love to meet you and become acquainted with you.
So please browse through this website. If we don't have the ministry or program that you are looking for, please contact me, and we can create a brand-new ministry just for you and for those like you! Won’t you join us this Sunday? Just come and feel the warmth and give what you can and be encouraged to develop your own relationship with Jesus Christ. Please contact us at 417-833-6171 or antioch.methodist@mchsi.com for more information.
Sincerely,
Pastor Kevin Cawley
When you walk into the sanctuary, you will find a warm, friendly environment with people like you who come to worship God...