overview
family ministries
Children’s Ministry
The children’s ministry of Woodlawn encompasses both our Sunday School classes for all ages, and our weekly children’s service on Wednesday evenings @ 6:30pm. In our Sunday morning Sunday School classes, your child will find children-friendly environments, age appropriate lessons, and qualified teachers. We offer a caring and safe nursery for infants to two years, and from two years to 15 years old we have age specific Sunday School classes during our morning worship at 10:00am. Our children’s worship service is each Wednesday night @ 6:30pm. We have a dynamic children’s service in our cutting edge children’s facility – complete with a game room, café, 100 seat auditorium with stage lighting, and a puppet stage. We would love to have your children be a part of our GAP KIDS children’s ministry this week!
Student Ministry
One of our most active ministries at Woodlawn, elevate student ministries ministers to students from the 6th grade through college. The teenage years of life are some of the most trying and tempting times. We’ve taken specific measures to create a student ministry so dynamic - it offers students in Columbia and Marion County a safe, Christ centered atmosphere and support system to make it through these tough times. The apex of esm is the weekly student service held every Wednesday at 6:30pm in our state of the art student facility. This facility features a game center, a lounge, an internet café, several meeting rooms, and a 400 seat auditorium to host a variety of venues. The Wednesday night student service offers a live band, stage lighting, great dramas, videos that teach important life lessons, and a relevant message to help students tackle tough issues. Add to our weekly service yearly mission trips, summer camps, and a host of weekend excursions, and it’s an experience your teenager can’t afford to miss! We look forward to seeing your student at the next elevate experience this Wednesday night!
Men’s Ministry
As current challenges for men increase on a daily basis we feel it is not enough for our men to simply “attend” church on a weekly basis. We believe men have the awesome privilege and responsibility of being the leader of their homes and in the church. With that responsibility comes many tough challenges. It is our goal to provide a network of ministries to bring men to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; to guide them in their growth; to minister to their needs; and to encourage the development of relationships.
Scripture says "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love... rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality." (Romans 12:10-12)
The vision of our men’s ministry is to provide a nurturing environment for Woodlawn men, with Bible studies and activities suited for men of all ages and stages in their walk with Christ. We desire to encourage each other to lead a balanced life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We want every man actively involved in some ministry at Woodlawn.
Brotherhood men’s ministry offers quarterly activities such as an annual crawfish boil and a wild game supper. We also host and attend seminars and retreats that provide opportunities for refreshment and renewal. These events include local and nationally known speakers. We invite you to visit our website for more information about our Brotherhood Men’s Ministry.
Ladies Ministry
The Ladies Department of Woodlawn United Pentecostal Church works hard to ensure that every lady is involved. Divided into teams known as “Dorcas Teams”, each lady is essential to the success of church functions. Dorcas teams provide food for the monthly Senior Citizens luncheons, families in bereavement, those that are suffering from an illness and other needs. Our ladies are very active and a vital part of our church. The biggest event of the year for the ladies is our annual Taste Fair.
Originally starting 18 years ago as a small church fundraiser, the annual Taste Fair event has become much more than the Ladies Ministry department ever anticipated. The Taste Fair is held annually on the Friday before Thanksgiving. The purpose is to provide new recipe ideas for the coming holidays. People come from far and near to enjoy this holiday tradition. Tickets go on sale around the first of November every year and are usually sold out within a few days.
The Ladies Ministry prepares a variety of 60-70 recipes. Each recipe requires approximately 4-5 ladies to prepare it. This event is called a "taste" because that's exactly what it is! Recipes are served in "taste" (teaspoon) portions. Every year recipes are compiled into cookbooks that are made available for purchase at the Taste Fair. Live Christmas music provided by the Woodlawn Music Department is an added extra which contributes to making this annual affair a joyful celebration.
Our ladies department also participates in seminars and conferences to inspire and encourage spiritual and relational growth. We welcome you to become a part of a growing and active ladies ministry.
ADVANCE
To help move their life forward, everyone needs a place to belong. Sunday mornings, you’ll connect with other people just like you and advance together on your faith walk.
Nursery (infants – 1 yrs.) – Providing an opportunity for parents to engage in the Word of God.
Toddler Class (2-3) – Beginning stages of discipleship.
Gap Kids Live (4-9) – Providing a dynamic children’s ministry program where kids bring their parents to church.
Elevate JV Life (10-12) – Providing small group investment in a crucial age group in our church and community.
Elevate Small Groups (13 – graduation) – Mentoring environment whereby High School students are discipled.
eCollege – (18-25) – Small group setting focusing on life-transitional principles.
Singles – (26 – married) – Inspiration and connection for singles.
Young Married (married – 45yrs.) – Provides specific instruction on relationships, finances, and other practical spiritual manners.
Middle Age – (45yrs. – 60yrs.) Create support and social environment for empty nesters to grandparents.
Seniors (60yrs. – until) – Provide support and encouragement for the senior stage of life.
Education Ministry - Woodlawn Child Care Center
We understand that real ministry touches the heart of our community. That’s why we’ve created a MS State Licensed child care facility to serve the families of our city and surrounding area. The Woodlawn Child Care Center offers child care for children 6 weeks through K-4. We also offer after school programs for K-5 through 6th grade. Our caring and qualified staff of teachers are genuinely concerned about your child’s development, and safety.
At Woodlawn Childcare Center, your child will experience many enriching learning activities that will encourage personal growth in every area of their life.
The goal of our Childcare Center is to place within each child a knowledge and awareness of their Creator. We want them to experience God’s love through their daily association with our staff. “Tender Loving Child Care” is our motto.
For more information on the Woodlawn Child Care Center including rates and availability, please contact the office at: 601- 736-6781.
Restoration & Recovery Ministries
Anger Management/A.C.T.S.
Modern society demands the church to be involved in social and family issues. However, some in our culture desire to keep the church from having any influence in our communities under the guise of separation of church and state.
At all levels of the government, laws have been passed, programs implemented, and vast amounts of money allocated to fund studies. But anger, violence, and substance abuse continue to be a major problem in all levels of our society.
Many programs have failed to understand that these are not government matters but spiritual issues. Because the problems of violence and substance abuse may not be worked out easily, some programs and ministries do not want to get involved. These issues simply cannot be resolved by taking a magic “pill”.
We believe violence in the home and the abuse of controlled substances is not only conditions of emotions, but they are tied to the spiritual nature of the individual. It is the desire of Pastor Carney, the ministerial staff, and church body of Woodlawn Church that those who become entrapped by these destructive habits find restoration and recovery.
To assist in the recovery process we offer A.C.T.S. which is our Alcohol Chemical Treatment Series. The A.C.T.S. class convenes every Tuesday evening at 7pm and offers up to date information on the dangers of drug abuse and instruction on how to overcome destructive drug abuse habits. The class is taught by one of our certified A.C.T.S. instructors and participants are issued a certificate upon completion.
We also offer a court approved Bible based Anger Management program. This ministry assist’s families dealing with domestic violence in understanding the cause of anger and how to correctively deal with it. This twelve session program is taught by a certified instructor in a private setting. We understand there are no short cuts or easy roads in dealing with substance abuse or domestic violence, but it can be done with God’s help and effort on the part of the participant. If you or someone you know is ready to begin the road to recovery please visit us on the web or call. We’re here to serve you.
Evangelism Ministries
Home Bible Courses
Here at Woodlawn, we offer ten non-denominational Bible courses based on the unique needs of individuals. Twenty-five minutes to one hour or one lesson to twenty-four lessons are all available. Many knowledgeable Bible teachers teach these free studies on a weekly basis at your convenience.