1. W
elcome to this edition of Focus on First, our magazine about the life and ministries of First United Methodist Church. Occasionally we send Focus on First
to our entire community and design it as a“snapshot”of First Methodist. This fall edition focuses especially on our many worship services. First Methodist
has its roots in Mansfield going back as far as 1867, having served this exciting community for many generations. And as this area has grown, so has First
Methodist, becoming the 25th highest attended Methodist church in the nation. This special church has many things we emphasize — children’s ministries, youth
ministries, care ministries and many adult ministry opportunities. But few things communicate who we are more than our commitment to worship (we have seven
weekly worship opportunities) and mission
(we do extensive mission work locally
and around the world). I have long seen
worshiping God as the engine of our
church and mission as our heart. I am convinced God works in both. In this magazine, we will highlight worship — our many worship opportunities and the pastors and
staff who lead them. If you are new to our community or have yet to find a church home, I hope that one of our worship opportunities and times will work for you, and
you will join us soon and connect — with God, other folks and this growing community of worship and mission.
Focus on First
Fall 2011 • www.firstmethodistmansfield.org
The life and ministries of First United Methodist Church of Mansfield
A community of worship and mission
Making disciples of Jesus Christ who will love God,
love others and serve the world.
777N.WalnutCreekDrive
Mansfield,TX76063
By Rev. Mike Ramsdell, Senior Pastor
I have long seen worshiping God as the engine of our church and mission as our heart.
Rev. Mike Ramsdell, Senior Pastor
Pastor Mike Ramsdell is in his 17th
year of service as senior pastor at
First Methodist Mansfield, leading
the church to amazing growth —
from a church membership of a little
over a thousand to over 6,000 now.
He primarily preaches at our Sunday
morning worship services in the
Sanctuary. Pastor Mike is part of“The
Leading Edge,”a group of pastors
of the top 100 Methodist churches
charged with revitalizing the
denomination. He loves preaching,
pastoral care and leading a church
into expanded and growing life and
mission. His identical twin brother,
Steve, is also a Methodist minister,
leading First United Methodist
Church in Waco.
Mike grew up in a military family, traveling the world. After high school, he spent
six years in the Navy. “At 20, while in the Navy, I encountered Christ in a personal
way and made a commitment to follow and serve Him. Not long after, I felt
God leading me into full-time service in and through the church. I have never
questioned that call to the church,”said Mike about what led him into ministry.
Meet our pastors
Q & A with Pastor Mike
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you
grew up?
A: “As I child growing up, I wanted to be career military or a police officer.”
Q: How does being a pastor affect your family?
A: “For my family, they have always experienced life with me in the
ministry. What might seem abnormal for some seems normal to
them. Rhonda, my wife, knew I was going to be a minister when we
got married and has always been a supportive partner. One of the
things that speaks to this is that two of our children who are grown
with children of their own go to church with us.”
Q: How many hours per week are you“on the job”?
A: “It is hard to estimate time because being a pastor typically never
ends, from preparing for a message, leading a team, providing
pastoral care, planning for future ministry, but my best guess would
be 60 hours some weeks — sometimes more and sometimes less.”
Q: If you weren’t a pastor, what do you think you would be?
A: “If I was not a pastor, I would probably be a teacher, either in high
school or college.”
Q: What would surprise people about you?
A: “Some people might be surprised to know how introverted I am and
that I went to junior high school and the first half of high school in
Okinawa, Japan.”
To read more“Q & A’s”with our pastors, go to:
http://www.firstmethodistmansfield.org/latest-news-blog/
Photo courtesy of Erin Noll Photography
Title: Senior Pastor
Years in ministry: 33 years
Churches served: Bangs, Waxahachie, Joshua and Mansfield
Education: BA in Bible and History, Central Bible College
Masters of Divinity, Brite Divinity School, TCU
Family: Wife, Rhonda; children, Julie, Michael and Kelly;
eight grandchildren
Special interests: Motorcycle touring, weight lifting, an occasional
movie and the beach
2. 2 Focus on First - Fall 2011
Focusonourpastors Rev. David Alexander, Teaching Pastor
Pastor David Alexander
has been a leader at First
Methodist Mansfield for seven
years. He primarily preaches
at our Saturday night worship
and“The Well”on Sunday
mornings in the Chapel.
David has been set apart for
training and leadership as
a young pastor, including
participating in the Young
Pastors Network, a national
organization. David loves
preaching, teaching and
serving as a mentor to staff
and others. As part of that, David writes GPS (Grow, Pray, Study), our daily devotional
guide that goes out to close to a thousand people every day.
David is the son of a Methodist pastor and first heard the call to ministry while at
camp during his teen years. “Growing up in the church environment, I knew a lot of
what happens‘behind the scenes’in the church and in a minister’s family. I saw the
amazing blessing, but I also saw the challenges. I did not see myself following that
path, but in high school I began to feel a strong calling towards this life. Hearing that
call affirmed by so many others who knew me and believed in me is a big reason why
I am where I am today,”said David.
Q & A with Pastor David
Q: What’s been harder as a pastor than you thought it would be?
A: “I think I would say developing the disciplines needed to teach
and preach on a regular basis. There is a ton of behind-the-scenes
research, learning, reflecting that goes into crafting a message
each week that is difficult to explain, but it does require you to
build certain disciplines into your life.”
Q: What would surprise people about you?
A: “I’m kind of a home body. I love being home with my kids, kicking
back in my recliner and reading a good book. I’m not always
comfortable in a big group of people who I don’t know real well.”
Rev. Sharon Reid, Executive Pastor
Pastor Sharon Reid has the longest
tenure at First Methodist Mansfield
— over 18 years — having
served in many areas, including
youth ministry, discipleship
ministries and now as the church’s
Executive Pastor. Sharon’s primary
responsibilities are strategic
planning and leadership of the
church and staff. She is also part
of a network of executive pastors
of the largest Methodist churches
and helps to lead and train others.
Sharon enjoys preaching, teaching,
developing discipleship programs
and leading in worship, but her
greatest gift is helping others find
their place in the life of the church.
“I actually felt a call to be a pastor
when I was about 13, but because
there were no female pastors in my
church, I didn’t understand what
God was calling me to do,”said Sharon about what led her into ministry. “Not long
after we joined First Methodist, I was hired to serve as the part-time youth director. I
started working with great role models, as well as other female pastors, and soon my
understanding of the role God had in mind for me as a pastor became real to me.”
Q & A with Pastor Sharon
Q: What do you see as your greatest accomplishment?
A: “I’m really proud of being a part of leading our youth ministry
from a point where we were serving 15 active students, their
families and a handful of volunteers in 1993 to about 250 active
students, their families and dozens of volunteers in 2003. All of
those students are now adults, and I often have the privilege
of serving in ministry with them, officiating their marriages or
baptizing their babies.”
Q: What would surprise people about you?
A: “I was a cheerleader in high school, and in 1973, I was the Itasca
Wampus Cat Homecoming Queen.”
Rev. Caesar Rentie,
Celebrate Recovery Pastor
Pastor Caesar Rentie
has been at First
Methodist Mansfield
for one year. He
also serves as the
Chaplain at Mansfield
Methodist Hospital.
Caesar primarily leads
our Thursday night
Celebrate Recovery
worship service.
He is a graduate of
Oklahoma University
where he played
football under Barry
Switzer and earned
two Orange Bowl rings. He also played professional football for six years, including a
stint with the Chicago Bears.
“I don’t’know that I was led more than I was pushed and dragged into this vocation,”
said Caesar about what led him into ministry. “Ministry was not my first choice. But if
there is one resounding reason why I am here and now fully embrace my call, it is my
love for people. I feel so strongly that the two great missions of the church are to first
go and make disciples and to love people regardless of who they are.”
Q & A with Pastor Caesar
Q: Do people treat you differently when they find out you are
a pastor?
A: “Sometimes people feel that they have to be perfect when they
find out you are in ministry. They might try to clean up their
language or try to put off a certain persona. I have to often remind
people that I played NCAA college football and in the NFL, and the
last time I checked, there were no choir boys in either arena.”
Q: What would surprise people about you?
A: “I like ironing my own shirts. For some reason, when I’m ironing
my shirts, I really have meaningful prayer time.”
Title: Celebrate Recovery Pastor
Years in ministry: 17 years
Churches served: St. Luke“Community,”Grace UMC,
Mansfield, Arcadia Park UMC
Education: BA Intrapersonal Communication,
Oklahoma University
Masters of Theological Studies, TCU
Family: Daughters Carra (16) and Chloe (14);
fiancée Cynthia Blake
Special interests: Fishing, gardening, writing and
spending time with family
Title: Executive Pastor
Years in ministry: 18 years
Churches served: Mansfield
Education: Texas Tech University
Course of Study for United Methodist
Pastors, Perkins School of Theology
Family: Husband, Ron; sons, Brad, Matt and Chris;
grandchildren, Jorden and Joshua
Special interests: Reading, playing the piano, photography,
playing video games and spending time
with the grandkids
Title: Teaching Pastor
Years in ministry: 10 years
Churches served: Cleburne and Mansfield
Education: BBA Finance, Texas A&M University
Masters of Divinity,
Brite Divinity School, TCU
Family: Wife, Stephanie; children, Anna (7)
and Jack (3)
Special interests: Running (plans to run in the New York
Marathon this November)
Photos courtesy of Erin Noll Photography
3. Focus on First - Fall 2011 3
Focus on worship
Saturday, 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Meeting for a little over four years, our Saturday night worship has grown
dynamically. Here you will experience a softer and newer contemporary
worship that includes guitars, drums, keyboards and music team. The
three-screen video setup allows the pastor and worship leader to
communicate in a very visual, yet personal way. Led by Rev. David
Alexander, prayer, worship and preaching are the cornerstones of this
service. Jason Nix is the music and worship leader. Communion is offered
each week.
“We go to Saturday night because of the laid back atmosphere. The crowd isn’t as
big as Sunday, so it feels intimate. Love the music!“ — Susan Jantz
First United Methodist Mansfield offers a number of worship services each weekend, whether you prefer contemporary or traditional, Saturday or Sunday, morning or evening.
All of our major worship services follow the same message theme each week. We also offer live streaming video of our Saturday evening and 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday
Sanctuary services at www.firstmethodistmansfield.tv. In addition, we have a special Celebrate Recovery worship service on Thursday evenings that focuses on recovery issues
and celebrates God’s healing power in our lives.
Sunday, 8:15 & 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
These two Sunday services are led by our choir, often orchestra, and follow
an informal, traditional format that is enhanced with the use of innovative
video technology. Experience great and inspiring music, old and new
hymns, occasional readings, affirmations of faith and moments of prayer
and worship that we pray connects us with God — the ultimate purpose
of all worship services. But the sermon is the key part of this worship
experience as we seek to take the unchanging Bible and apply it to this
amazing world. Rev. Mike Ramsdell is the lead pastor, and Dr. Scott Ferrell is
the music leader.
“We go to the 8:15 a.m. service because we like to be up early and because we like
the traditional service. When I feel the need to hear David’s “take” on the subject, I
will go to the internet and watch his service on Saturday night. We are so lucky to
have such brilliant pastors.” — Vicki Aldridge
“We love the traditional service because of the beautiful music with the orchestra
and the choir.” — Ali Foster
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
This service has a full praise band and music team. Guitars, drums, piano
and an occasional flute are used to exalt God in worship. Most of the
music is praise, worship and contemporary, although some old hymns are
experienced in a classic, contemporary style. Prayer, worship and preaching
are the core of this service as we seek to connect to each other and to God
in an inspirational and engaging way. The“good news”story is often told
here in a video format. Rev. Mike Ramsdell is the lead pastor for this service,
and Stephanie Gow is the music and worship leader.
“Love the contemporary music, and then we are able to go to Sunday School after
while our little ones are in G-Force.” — Karen Dotson
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel
One of our newest worship services — called The Well — meets in our
newly renovated Chapel. It has grown more rapidly than any service in
our history. Drums, guitars and worship songs allow you to relax and
experience God at your own pace. Video stories are also used along with
a special visual way to worship called Environmental Projection. There are
many ways to communicate God’s good news, and in The Well, you will
experience almost all of them. Pastor David Alexander leads this service
with Doug Peak as the worship leader.
“We have moved over to The Well. We love the intimate setting and close
community. The worship team is so real, and you can feel their hearts are in love
with our God! Pure hearts!” — Ryan and Gennie Coe
Sunday, 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
This new service begins September 11. It has a number of things in
common with the Saturday service, including video projection and unique
ways to communicate the“good news”story. There will be a full band with
a music and worship team led by Josh Nix. Our full team of pastors will
rotate leading this service — Senior Pastor Mike Ramsdell, Teaching Pastor
David Alexander and Pastor Caesar Rentie will all preach on occasion.
Special message series and individual messages will guide what we think
will be an important and rapidly growing service.
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel
Our Celebrate Recovery worship has been meeting for a little over a year.
This service has a full band, worship leader and music team and includes a
group of committed people who help prepare and serve in this special time
of worship that emphasizes God’s grace and how God can work in lives. It
is an inspirational worship time that especially focuses on recovery and life
change. Rev. Caesar Rentie is the lead preacher at this service, and Karen
McGough leads the music and worship.
Saturday 6:00 p.m.
Traditional (from First Family Christmas)
Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. — The Well
Thursday night Celebrate Recovery
PhotocourtesyofCarolTrietsch
Photos courtesy of Erin Noll Photography
