www.ngumc.org/pages/detail/1017

Mansfield United Methodist Church

3031 Main St
Mansfield, GA 30055

 The PrayerForce was asked by ADOX District Superintendent Sharma Lewis to work with Mansfield UMC in the summer of 2010.  Mansfield was a declining church, with less than a dozen remaining members and no financial resources to sustain it. The members were near the point of giving up and forced with the thought of having to close its doors.   Meeting with PrayerForce Director Leah Cunningham were three members interested in reviving and restoring the church.  A plan was made to meet for three consecutive Thursdays to pray and discern God's plan for Mansfield.   Before the first scheduled time of prayer, God directed a woman of faith to go back to Mansfield UMC and join the church for His glorious purpose. Fresh life was sent as a sign of hope and in response to the prayers of the faithful few.                            

The first prayer time together we had 5 in attendance. We focused on the church building itself.   Each one who came was anointed and walked throughout the church into dusty, cluttered, outdated rooms that had not been used for years.  God opened eyes as we opened doors (literally) that had been locked for ages.  God began to speak,  giving Mansfield hope for the future of the church.  Words like "prepare" and "welcome everyone who comes" were heard and shared in this meeting time.

The second meeting of prayer and discernment focused on the lost in the community.   A teaching on "the lost" parables was given to open our eyes to see how people get lost, and how we are to pray for them and find them and receive them when God sends them to the Church.  

The third week was a time of worship, music and celebration.  Joined by friends of the PrayerForce, we sang hymns and praises to God and with District Superintendent Sharma Lewis, joined hands to receive Holy Communion and pray as the body of Christ. 

In January 2011,  I received word that  Mansfield has had 25 people worshipping.  A lay pastor is bringing the Word and a 12 week Bible Studay has just been completed. A teen girls Bible Study has begun. 

It's now 2012. The last word I got from Mansfield was there were around 40 in attendance at worship.   The Holy Spirit is alive and well at Mansfield United Methodist Church!  Praise God who is at work and is blessing the faithful.