The First United Methodist Church of Belen

08/24/2026

Our Preschool/daycare Watch Me Grow has a brand new phone number, 505-861-6820.

08/17/2026

All In: Staying Connected to the Source

“So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God” (Rom. 12:1 CEB). My confidence in my faith never wavers when things are going well. I stand by my convictions and lift up the name of God as loudly and proudly as I can. My struggle is keeping that same zeal when everything around me seems to fall apart....

“So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God” (Rom. 12:1 CEB).      My conf…

08/10/2026

From Honeymoon to Growth: Navigating Ministry Relationships

In our society, when someone hears the phrase “The honeymoon is over,” we automatically think something bad happened, and what was once a pleasant environment becomes hostile and uninviting. To help pastors and leaders see this transition positively, it's important to recognize the subtle signs that indicate a deeper relational phase has begun, such as increased honesty, shared struggles, or renewed purpose....

     In our society, when someone hears the phrase “The honeymoon is over,” we automatically think something bad happened, and what was once a pleasant environment becomes hosti…

08/06/2026

Navigating Ministry: Humor and Humility in Church Leadership

Not counting the many years that I served churches as a music director, I started my 18th year as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. One of the joys of ministry outside of the local church is to mentor up-and-coming men and women who are looking at ordained ministry as a vocation. I see their eyes light up when I ask them to tell me about their call to service as a clergy person....

Not counting the many years that I served churches as a music director, I started my 18th year as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. One of the joys of ministry outside of the local churc…

08/06/2026

Discover all that Belen UMC has to offer on our website!

Stay informed with the latest updates, explore our wide range of offerings, and connect with everything exciting happening here.

Visit us at https://firstumcbelen.org today to see what’s waiting for you!

Serving Belen/Rio Communities/Rio Grande Valley

07/28/2026

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

07/22/2026

06/30/2026

The Hidden Rhythm of Faithfulness

LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. (Isaiah 25:1 NIV) At first glance, I asked myself, “What does this scripture have to do with me?” I am not perfect, and I am not sure that I will ever achieve full enlightenment. So how can Isaiah’s words include me in such a confident proclamation of God’s handiwork?...

     LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. (Isaiah 25:1 NIV)  &n…

06/23/2026

The Grace to Listen

My son called me on Father’s Day just to say hello. Julian, my oldest son, is traveling on a national tour of Saw, a musical parody of the slasher film by the same name. He had already forbidden his mother and me from seeing the show. I laughed and told him there were a few shows I had performed in that I would not have wanted my own mother to see, so I understood his reasoning....

     My son called me on Father’s Day just to say hello. Julian, my oldest son, is traveling on a national tour of Saw, a musical parody of the slasher film by the same name. He…