FUMC Denton Receives Recognition of Excellence Award

A couple of years ago, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. introduced five bold priorities for the Legacy North Texas Conference—priorities designed to help churches dream bigger, lead with intention, and stay deeply connected as one church body. Even after the merger with the Central Texas and Northwest Texas Conferences to form the Horizon Texas Conference, Bishop Saenz challenged us to keep moving forward with these shared commitments.

Those five priorities continue to guide our work today: Multiply Jesus Followers, Champion Children and Youth, Pursue and Embrace Diversity, Maximize Care and Healing, and Tell Our Story.

Our District Superintendent, Phillip Rhodes, presenting our award to Pastor Scott.

We are excited to share that First United Methodist Church Denton was recognized at the Metro North District Meeting with a Recognition of Excellence award for our work in Telling Our Story!

District Superintendent Phillip Rhodes spoke about the experience of walking through our doors and worshiping alongside this congregation. He shared how clear it was—in every part of worship and through the many ministries and events throughout the year—exactly who we are and what we stand for.

The story of The United Methodist Church has too often gone untold or misunderstood. That’s why this recognition means so much. It reflects the incredible work this congregation is already doing every single day to embody and share the love of Christ in our community.

Horizon Texas Recognition of Excellence Award to FUMC Denton for Telling Our Story

We are deeply grateful for the ministry and witness of UWF, Church & Society, our Missions Team, Glow, Pub Theology, our Immigration Task Force, our Care Team, and so many others who continue to help Denton know who we are, what we believe, and the kind of love and justice we are called to live out. Our laity have been especially instrumental in carrying our story beyond the walls of the church and into the community through invitation, compassion, advocacy, and presence.

This award is worth celebrating—not because it marks a finish line, but because it reminds us that our story matters. And we will continue telling it boldly, joyfully, and faithfully so that more and more people can experience the hope, belonging, and love found here at FUMC Denton.