Horizon Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church

09/09/2026

Congratulations to Flower Mound United Methodist Church on being named "Best Church in Denton County" in the 2026 Best of Denton County Awards!

The Horizon Texas Conference is proud of the community partnerships they have built as they make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of Flower Mound, Denton County, and the world.

We are deeply grateful to share that Flower Mound UMC has been named Best Church in Denton County in the 2026 Best of Denton County Awards.

While we are certainly proud of this recognition, what means the most to us is what it represents: you.

A church is not a building or a program. The church is its people—the people who worship together, serve together, pray for one another, welcome the stranger, care for those in need, and faithfully seek to follow Jesus in all that they do.

You are the church. And we are so proud and grateful to be on this journey of faith with you.

Thank you to everyone who voted for Flower Mound UMC and, even more than that, thank you for the many ways you make this church a place of grace, hope, belonging, and love. This recognition belongs to our entire church family.

We give thanks to God for the gift of this community and for the privilege of being the church together.

09/08/2026

When First United Methodist Church in Anna closed following a devastating fire, its congregation wanted the church’s United Methodist legacy to continue. That hope became part of something new as Pastor Dallen Morgan and a group of local families began gathering in homes, building relationships, and imagining a new church for their growing community.

Today, The Gathering United Methodist Church is bringing people together for worship, service, and meaningful community. This is the story of how loss gave way to a new beginning and how a church rooted in Anna’s past is looking faithfully toward its future. 💛

When First United Methodist Church in Anna closed following a devas...

09/07/2026

Are you exploring your purpose? Wondering about your calling? Curious about what God's next chapter holds for you? Exploration 2026, hosted by Discipleship Ministries is for you.

Join a community of young adults ages 18 and older November 6-8 in Orlando for passionate worship, engaging workshops, honest conversations and sacred space to reflect on where God is leading you.

Whether you're considering ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church or simply seeking direction for your next faithful step, Exploration creates space to discern God's call on your life and discover what that might look like. Come as you are. Ask your questions. Explore your faith. Take the next step. 💛

Learn more: https://www.gbhem.org/event/exploration-2026/
Scholarship available through the HTC: https://htcumc.jotform.com/262154192995062

Exploration 2026 helps young adults (18–26) discern God’s call through worship, fellowship, reflection & ministry workshops.

09/04/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month, and General Board of Global Ministries has made available a collection of ready-to-use resources to help churches raise awareness and equip congregations to respond with compassion, confidence and hope. Visit the link below to view the video training course and learn more.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. 💛

Learn su***de prevention skills through a video training designed for faith leaders and faith communities to respond, prevent, and care well.

09/02/2026

In Matthew 25, Jesus said, "What you've done to the least of these, you've done to me." What does that mean for our neighborhoods today?

Rev. Billy Lane and Dr. India Stewart of the South Dallas Fair Park ICDC (Innercity Community Development Corporation) join Rev. Daniel Hawkins to share how their work in sunny South Dallas is helping families put down roots, build stability, and create stronger neighborhoods. Through stories from their work, they explore how homeownership creates opportunity, why communities are strongest when everyone has a voice, and what it looks like to walk alongside neighbors as they shape the future of their own communities.

This episode is about seeing Christ in our neighbors and discovering that building stronger communities is not separate from the Gospel. Billy and India describe a ministry that walks with people, helps them find their voice, and creates pathways toward lasting change. It's a conversation about faith, dignity, and what can happen when Christians take seriously the call to love their neighbors.

In Matthew 25, Jesus said, "What you've done to the least of these,...

09/01/2026

Rev. Jeff Pehl, the Horizon Texas Conference’s chief financial officer, conference benefits officer, treasurer and conference statistician, has announced his intention to retire December 31, 2026. As one of the conference’s first leaders, Rev. Pehl has helped guide the Horizon Texas Conference through its formative years, offering steady leadership, deep faith and a commitment to financial integrity as our new conference took shape. Rev. Pehl said his retirement will allow him to devote more time to his wife, Rev. Silvia Wang, and their son, Gabriel.

The search for the Horizon Texas Conference’s next CFO/CBO begins September 1, with applications accepted through September 22. The goal is to have a new CFO in place in November, allowing time for a smooth transition before Pehl’s retirement takes effect.

08/31/2026

Members of Open Door United Methodist Church in Clyde joined local businesses and churches to welcome incoming students to campus. Along the way, they shared homemade cookies, fruit, water and information about the church, while also getting to know students, hearing about their faith and learning about their plans for the future.

Several students also asked for blessings and were prayed over by Rev. Hyung Kim. It was a meaningful time of laughter, conversation and connection as Open Door UMC shared who they are and where they are, with the presence of the Holy Spirit felt throughout the day. What a joyful day welcoming the McMurry University Class of 2030! 🎓💛

08/27/2026

Bishop Connie Shelton talks about the power of grace and finding a home in the United Methodist Church.

08/26/2026

In this week's episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Kristin Warthen sits down with Rev. Dr. HiRho Park, Director of Belonging, Inclusion and Cultural Engagement for the Horizon Texas Conference. From serving a local church in Maryland to developing clergy through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, HiRho reflects on the experiences that prepared her for this new chapter of ministry in the Horizon Texas Conference.

Listen in to hear about the difference between diversity, inclusion and belonging, the spiritual practice of listening and the question HiRho returns to again and again: What else might be possible? It is a hopeful conversation about building beloved community and becoming the kind of church God is calling us to be.

In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Kristin Warthen sits ...

08/25/2026

What happens when the church pulls up a chair instead of waiting for people to walk through its doors? 🍻

Across the Horizon Texas Conference, churches like Grace Avenue UMC and Keller United Methodist Church are finding creative ways to meet people where they are, creating space for honest conversations about faith, Scripture and life.

From Pub Theology to Bible and Brews, these gatherings are building relationships, welcoming questions and reminding us that sometimes being the church simply means showing up where people already are.

Read the story and see how two churches are making room for faith conversations beyond the walls of the church. 💛

For some, reaching the community means inviting people through the doors. For others, it means walking out those doors and meeting people where they already are. Across the Horizon Texas Conference, churches are finding creative ways to build relationships beyond traditional church spaces. At Kelle