We believe that the work of the church should extend far beyond the physical walls. At Douglasville First we are passionate about our community and our world. We believe in making Douglasville better by serving alongside local organizations, feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, and working with and loving on the homeless. We partner with schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouts and many others. 

We also believe that the church is part of the world. We support and attend missions around the globe. 

Burnett Elementary School

Burnett Elementary School is dedicated to ministering to both teachers and students, with a particular emphasis on children facing challenges. Our outreach efforts encompass various initiatives, such as hosting a Teacher Breakfast, organizing Star Student Banquets, participating in the Angel Tree program for Christmas, beautifying the campus and Teacher Workroom, and engaging in regular Servant Saturday projects. Additionally, we've recently initiated a prayer ministry specifically for teachers. Our aspiration is mutual growth and enrichment for both the educators and students alike.

Douglasville Dinner Church

Dinner Church at The Never Alone Clubhouse located in a food insecure neighborhood, invites attendees to share in the abundance of a meal twice a month, guided by the ethos of Jesus' Dinner Table Theology. Alongside a Gospel message, participants engage in table discussions, partake in the Lord's Supper, enjoy Christian music, join in prayer, and experience the love of Christ firsthand. This unconventional church format has drawn in several regular attendees who may not feel at ease in traditional church settings. Remarkably, discipleship naturally unfolds, yielding tangible results; to date, five individuals have embraced Christ, and six have undergone Baptism.

During the challenges of COVID-19, the ministry adapted by providing take-home dinners through a drive-thru service, complemented by a message of hope broadcasted on Facebook Live, along with worship music.

Dinner Church proves to be an effective strategy for establishing new churches and spreading the Gospel in 21st-century America. Many segments of our population, including singles, those facing financial hardships, ethnic minorities, and others, often experience isolation and struggle to access nutritious meals. Unfortunately, numerous individuals within these demographics may never find their way into traditional church gatherings.

The enduring power of Dinner Table Theology remains evident today. Lives are transformed when the lonely are invited to a table brimming with nourishment and the love of Christ, a testament to our first Fresh Expression of church, a vital component of the expanding Distributed Church family.

Faith in Action (FIA)

Faith in Action (FIA) is dedicated to aiding individuals in need by providing furniture, appliances, and other household essentials, all while spreading the love of Jesus. A recent Facebook post highlights the impactful collaboration with the 'Love Douglasville' team at First UMC, who delivered three truckloads of vital items to families on July 11. Our team members have been deeply moved by their service experiences and have seized opportunities to offer prayers with clients. We actively support FIA through volunteer efforts and participation in Servant Saturday projects.

One of FIA's notable ministries is Sanctuary Village, which addresses the issue of homelessness in Douglas County. Dr. Romana Jackson Jones, Chairman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, praises Sanctuary Village as a concrete solution and emphasizes the importance of community partnerships. She notes that success in affordable housing is best achieved through collaboration between government, private businesses, civic organizations, and the faith-based community. Presently, we contribute to Sanctuary Village by providing volunteer workers for various projects and participating in Servant Saturday initiatives.

G.R.A.C.E. Thailand

G.R.A.C.E. in Thailand warmly welcomes your church team to experience God through meaningful service opportunities. Join us in our efforts to combat trafficking and protect children across our resource centers in Thailand. Inspired by this call to action, we accepted the opportunity to GO.

During our visit, we witnessed profound transformations: children embracing Christ, Christian staff finding renewed encouragement, families receiving vital support through sponsorships and provisions. All of these endeavors were carried out in the name of Christ, in a country where Christians represent just 1% of the population.

Our church members actively participate in supporting these children: sponsoring them, offering prayers, providing donations, writing cards, sending gifts, and even journeying to be with them whenever possible. It's a testament to the power of collective action fueled by compassion and faith.

The Good Samaritan Center

The Good Samaritan Center provides emergency assistance to low-income and food-insecure residents of Douglas County, guided by the principles of Jesus Christ. Members of our congregation serve on the Board of Directors and volunteer for various tasks, including food distribution. We offer volunteer workers for miscellaneous repairs, provide leadership, and participate in Servant Saturday projects.

In addition to our volunteer efforts, we support the Center financially and with in-kind donations. We maintain a collection bin on our campus to gather donations, which we deliver to the Center. This comprehensive support ensures that our community's needs are met with practical assistance and compassionate care.

Loving Hands Ministry

Loving Hands Ministry, an initiative of local churches founded by members of DFUMC, is dedicated to serving individuals and families facing crisis situations. Their support extends to those escaping abusive environments, individuals reentering society after incarceration, those in addiction recovery, and people grappling with mental health challenges or personal crises such as home fires or evictions. Our church actively aids this ministry through volunteer engagement, financial contributions, and participation in Servant Saturday projects. We facilitate donations by maintaining a collection bin on our campus and delivering items to the store.

The mission of Loving Hands is succinctly expressed: "At Loving Hands Ministry, both people and items are given a second chance through our community-focused non-profit outreach. Our thrift store in Douglasville, Georgia, offers gently-used clothing, household goods, and décor items at affordable prices, ensuring accessibility regardless of one's budget. People are our priority. Whether you're browsing as a shopper or seeking assistance during a crisis, we're here to support you."

Murphy Harpst

Murphy Harpst is dedicated to creating a secure and nurturing space for severely abused and neglected children and teenagers to heal and flourish, with the ultimate aim of reintegrating them into society as productive individuals. As part of our UM District Mission, our church has extended financial support to this cause and organized birthday celebrations for the children and teenagers under their care.

Operation Christmas Douglas County (OCDC)

Operation Christmas Douglas County (OCDC) is dedicated to supporting children in Douglas County who benefit from free and reduced-price meals at school. This includes children who are experiencing homelessness, enrolled in the Head Start program, receiving assistance from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or accessing other services at the Douglas County Health Department. Our church is proud to be a designated host location for this community initiative.

For the past four years, we have been privileged to provide a complete Christmas experience for over 400 less fortunate children and their families. Registered families are treated to a morning filled with breakfast, activities, and the opportunity to select free gifts generously donated by our church and FIA. During the event, parents receive the gift of free gift wrapping and have the chance to connect with our volunteers and prayer team, who offer support and uplift their needs.

Trinity Soup Kitchen

Trinity Soup Kitchen, located in Atlanta, serves individuals facing food insecurity through a longstanding United Methodist mission. This initiative relies on volunteer service and donations of homemade soup and other food items. The Genesis Sunday School class takes charge of coordinating this mission, while our church provides both volunteers and the soup necessary to serve at the kitchen.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responds to emergency needs in over 60 countries, delivering the healing power of the Gospel to those enduring hardship. Our church offers support through financial contributions and volunteer efforts, including training and deployment of early disaster response teams throughout our conference. Additionally, volunteers assist in assembling health kits, school bags, flood buckets, and more.