By Karoline Chapman

In the rural east Texas town of Hooks, a quaint church is living out the true meaning of the Gospel, expressing Christs love, through its service and commitment to unity.

Hooks First United Methodist Church, pastored by Municipal Judge Lester Colley, has a diverse congregation of about 25. Small yet mighty, the church is witnessing both to its local community through outreach ministry and to the United Methodist Church at large by welcoming displaced clergy into its church family.

“We’re not in a wealthy town, so there’s a lot of kids in need. We discovered that many of them only get meals at school, so we created a backpack program to fill that gap,” says Certified Lay Minister Colley. “We fill up backpacks with enough food to get them through the weekend so that they won’t go hungry at home. We also keep a clothing and shoe pantry for them. Especially in the winter, many of them are walking around without coats, so we discreetly provide them with warm clothes.”

When not serving local children, Hooks United Methodist Church models what it means to serve one’s fellow brothers and sisters in Christ by being home to those who no longer have a church home. Three of their 25 members are displaced clergy, and Colley shares that they expect to add one more soon.

Inviting those who may not feel welcome elsewhere is consistent with the congregation’s unwavering beliefs, which voted 21 to one to remain part of the United Methodist Church in January.

“When the disaffiliation started, I called a meeting with the congregation, and they overwhelmingly wanted to stay,” says Colley. “They believe that the UMC is their church, and they are determined for it to stay that way. I’m proud of them.”

While many small congregations across the country disbanded after the stress of the pandemic and disaffiliations, Hooks First United Methodist Church continues to model what it means to stay focused on following Jesus and committed to one’s church family, no matter what distractions may arise.

“I believe that one of the main reasons the church has stayed together is because I keep an open line of communication with everyone in the congregation,” says Colley. “Lots of rumors get out there. The better you can keep your congregation informed of what’s really going on, the fewer problems you’re going to have.”

Reflecting on the example that Hooks First United Methodist Church leads brings Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:20 to mind: “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.”