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About First Methodist Church

First Methodist Church is a dynamic church located in Corsicana, TX. Our beliefs are based on the Bible and centered on Jesus Christ. Our mission is very simple: to lead people to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. That means we’re not about a building or some complicated religious system, but about helping people from all backgrounds discover the joy that comes from knowing and serving Jesus Christ.

We invite you to come and check us out this weekend at one of our worship services. We know that going to a new church can be intimidating, so we try to do things in a way where you’ll feel welcome and not like an outsider. When you come, you can participate or just sit back and observe. You’ll discover a warm atmosphere, practical teaching from God's Word and lots of friendly people pursuing God together. And with childcare and classes for all ages, your family will love it too!

God made a promise in the Bible that if we seek after Him, we’ll find Him. You are a valued part of God’s creation and His deep desire is to be in a relationship with you. So come and join us as we pursue God together!

Faith

We invite you to come check us out this weekend at one of our worship services. We know that going to a new church can be confusing and intimidating, so we try to do things in a way where you’ll feel welcome and not like an outsider. When you come, you can participate or just sit back and observe.

Family

At First Methodist Church we value the family and we believe church should be a place for people of all ages. Every Sunday we provide children's ministries alongside our regular services, which provides a age-appropriate environment for kids to encounter Christ.

Leadership

First Methodist Church is guided by a leadership team who provide overall direction and watch over the spiritual needs of the church. Our pastors provide sound, practical, biblical teaching at each worship service. They have received theological and pastoral training and are equipped to share God's love with our local community. First Methodist Church is blessed to have a leadership team who are truly dedicated to Christ and accomplishing His will.

What Do We Believe at First Methodist Church?

At First Methodist Church, our beliefs are rooted in the Bible and guided by our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe. We are a proud part of the Global Methodist Church, united in purpose and vision to bring God’s transformative love to the world.

Our Mission

Our mission is clear:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.

We embrace the call to:

Surrender Fully: Worshiping and serving the one true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—with wholehearted devotion.
Love Extravagantly: Demonstrating the extravagant love of God revealed in Jesus Christ by loving God and our neighbors.
Witness Fearlessly: Boldly sharing the life-saving and transformative message of the Gospel.

Our Vision

We envision a world transformed by the presence and power of Christ.

Bringing New Life: Joining God in His mission of reconciliation and renewal.
Reflecting Christ’s Character: Helping individuals grow in faith and become living reflections of Christ.
Advancing God’s Kingdom: Spreading the truth of God’s Word and the presence of His Kingdom across societies and cultures.

Our Core Beliefs

Lordship of Jesus Christ: Jesus is the foundation of our faith and the source of salvation.
Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s inspired Word, serving as our ultimate authority for life and faith.
Power of the Holy Spirit: We believe in the Holy Spirit’s active work in conveying God’s truth and grace to all people.

A Global Community with a Local Mission

As part of the Global Methodist Church, we celebrate the gifts and contributions of every member of the Body of Christ. We are committed to:

Loving and supporting one another in mutual concern and accountability.
Bearing witness to the transforming power of the Gospel.
Serving as ambassadors of Christ with humility and boldness, especially focusing on those who are most vulnerable.

Experience the Presence of Christ with Us
Through our ministries, worship, and outreach, we invite you to join us in advancing God’s Kingdom and sharing His love with the world. Together, we can reflect the character of Christ and be part of God’s redemptive mission.

For more on what we believe and the impact of the Global Methodist Church, explore the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church

Click Here

Our Staff & LeadERSHIP

Karen Compton has been a dedicated servant in church music ministry since the age of 4. Growing up, she was involved in children’s and youth choirs, developing a lifelong passion for music that has deeply shaped her ministry. After high school, Karen attended Tyler Junior College (TJC) and Baylor University, furthering her musical talents. While at TJC, she was a member of the Apache Bells, performing at the first Super Bowl the Cowboys won, and also participated in the Singing Apaches.During her time at Baylor, Karen worked at Navarro Regional Hospital during the summers as summer relief, where she met her husband, Jim. After their marriage, Karen became a full-time employee at the hospital, where she served for 40 years before retiring. In 1979, after the birth of their daughter, Ellen, Karen and her family joined First Methodist Church, and she quickly became involved in the music ministry.Over the years, Karen has been a pillar of First Methodist Church's music program. She has been a member of the Sanctuary Choir for over 30 years and the Adult Handbell Choir for over 25 years. In addition to performing in these choirs, Karen has directed two children's handbell choirs, a children's chime choir, and a children's choir. She also led music in the 5th-6th Grade Sunday School Department for more than 10 years and organized a Wednesday night children's Bible study. For 10 years, she contributed to the Children’s Christmas musicals as a director.In 2012, Karen was hired to take on the role of Director of the Adult Handbell Choir, where she continues to lead with passion and dedication. Through her leadership, the handbell ministry has flourished, offering a powerful and inspiring musical experience for the congregation.Karen's deep love for music and her commitment to developing worship opportunities for all ages make her a cherished leader in the First Methodist Church family. Her contributions continue to enrich the church’s worship and outreach, and her example of service and devotion to God has touched countless lives.

A native of Florida, Amanda Hughes has distinguished herself in the world of music as a pianist, organist, composer, and pedagogue. As a pianist, she has given several solo and chamber recitals across the USA and Europe. She gave her first full solo recital at the age of eight, and made her orchestral debut at age 16 as a winner of the Ars Flores Young Artist Concerto Competition, performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 25. In 2006, she was a prize winner in the Madelyn Saverick Piano Competition and was chosen as the alternate winner in the senior state division of the Music Teacher’s National Associate (MTNA) Competition. She was also chosen to represent the US as the International Music Laureate. In May of 2013, she premiered the music of the Russian composer, pianist, and former professor, Vladimir Drozdoff, at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and presented original research on the composer. In addition to having an active performance life, Amanda has composed over eighty works, including both solo and chamber music. In 1999, she was chosen as a top five winner of the New England Conservatory Composition Competition. She has been featured in five full length articles and has also made numerous appearances on public radio.Amanda pursued her undergraduate studies in piano at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL, and continued her education at Northwestern University where she earned her master’s degree in Piano Performance. Amanda completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at the University of Houston, where she was awarded a music fellowship and accepted into the studio of legendary pianist and recording artist Abbey Simon.She began her organ studies with Ms. Margaret Kemper at Northwestern University and later with Mrs. Christina Harmon, a former adjunct professor of music at Stephen F. Austin State University and a full-time church musician and composer. Amanda has been active as a church musician for ten years and currently holds a position as the organist at the First United Methodist Church in Corsicana, TX. In 2018, Amanda performed in a masterclass for organist Ken Cowan as part of the East Texas Pipe Organ Festival. A year later, Amanda attended the 2019 French Organ Music Seminar in Paris where she participated in masterclasses with many prominent organists. While in France, Amanda studied with Jean-Baptiste Robin at the Conservatoire in Versailles and gave one of the first French performances of his piece Hands of Time.Aside from performing, Amanda has a passion for teaching and believes that the greatest reward is being able to pass on knowledge to aspiring musicians. Amanda currently holds a full-time position at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas where she heads the piano department, teaches Music Theory, Ear Training, Class Piano, gives private lessons, and assists the choirs by accompanying and leading sectionals. Amanda also has a private studio where she teaches students of all ages and levels.