Missions

The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Who we are in Mission

We partner with several local groups such as Good Works homeless ministry by opening the church for the Friday Night Life free meal and Discovery Kids Club and free lunch program in the summer. Also, we serve as a disaster relief and blood mobile site for the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Jackson Area Ministries, Church World Service and Samaritans Purse are other groups that we support. We also have an ongoing emergency food pantry that assists many families in need throughout the community. Special opportunities include events like Vacation Bible school, 5th quarters, and the ice cream social.

Outreach Opportunities

Fifth Quarter - Each week that the Athens Bulldogs Football Team plays a home game, we offer a safe and fun place for Middle School and High School Students to come, get some food, play some basketball or video games or just hang out. We open at the end of the game and end at midnight!


Food Pantry - the Helping Hand emergency food pantry is open the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6-7:00 p.m. and the 4th Thursday of each month from 11:30-12:30 pm. This Ministry serves individuals and families in all of Athens county.


Vacation Bible School - Every summer we offer Vavation Bible School for grades preschool through 6th grade.


Ice Cream Social - This all church annual fundraising event is held on the third Saturday in July. It is open to the public and offers homemade ice cream, chicken noodles, sandwiches, side dishes and desserts. This is a great way to connect with our neighbors and enjoy a time of fellowship.

Local Missions

Parent's Night Out

Being a parent is hard, so 4 times a year, in partnership with Central Avenue UMC, we host and lead Parent's Night Out. This is an opportunity for parents in our congregation and community to bring their children to us for a night where they can focus on their significant others, accomplish needed things around their house, or do whatever they need to do for their well-being.


Coming Soon: Athens Area ERT

"ERT" stands for Early Response Team and is a certification granted by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). This is a federally recognized training that allows certified individuals to enter disaster zones after the First Responders have completed their work. Our ERT team, once established and equipped, will be ready to assist any area we are requested with the early stages of relief after a natural disaster. For more information, fill out the form below.


Partner with Good Works

  • Friday Night Life Community Dinner - This is a free meal that takes place in our Family Life Center every Friday night beginning in October through March and is open to the community.
  • Discovery Kids Club and Free Lunch Program - This is a week day ministry of Good Works that is held at the Plains UMC beginning in June through first week of August. A free Children’s program is offered every morning from 9-11:00 am and ends with a free lunch at noon that is also open to adults.

Mission Trips

Montana De Luz 2018

A team from The Plains UMC and Central Avenue UMC went to Honduras this May to work with an orphanage called Montana de Luz. For pictures of the trip and to see the project we worked on, check out our Facebook album.

Partner Organizations

Red Cross - We are a platinum level Blood Drive Sponsor church where we hold regular blood drives in our Family Life Center. Also during the month of January we collect blankets that are donated to the Athens County Chapter of the Red Cross to be used in our community for those who are experiencing a crisis like a flood or fire.


In case of a natural disaster, our church building is set up to be used as an emergency shelter for those displaced due to flooding, fires, or other natural disaster.


Church World Service Kits -This project kicks off in late August through September where the congregation prepares school, hygiene and baby kits for Church World Service. The completed kits are taken to the Festival of Sharing in October. The kits are then processed and sent around the world to impoverished areas and disaster sites.


Operation Christmas Child - This is a ministry of Samaritan Purse that the Plains UMC participates in every year beginning in October through mid-November. Families and individuals prepare gift filled shoe boxes for needy children around the world. The shoeboxes also open the door for many children and their family to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our church also serves as a relay center for the community to drop off their shoe boxes that will be taken to the processing center before distribution world-wide.