Much has been said recently about our body of believers we call Getwell. Speculation on our decision to separate from the United Methodist Church has ranged from mild chatter, to wild accusations and onto the insane. So in an attempt to enlighten those without knowledge, here are the facts. Here’s who we are, the people of Getwell.   

We are a body of Christ followers whose backgrounds stem from various denominations and former non-believers. Historically Methodist, our church consists of former Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Churches of Christ, agnostics, atheists and unchurched individuals.   

We are Wesleyan in nature and believe that all scripture is God breathed and Holy Spirit inspired. Authority of scripture is the centerpiece of our lives, with tradition, reason, and experience all suspending from that authority. Everyone is welcome in our doors, and our mission is to love everyone. We believe in a balance of grace and truth, and we openly live in that tension.    

We acknowledge that we are all sinners, and it is only through the saving grace of Jesus that we are made whole again. We believe that Jesus loves us so much that He never leaves us in our current state, therefore we witness and experience His transforming power in each of our lives daily.   

Our vision is to connect people to Jesus and to one another for life change. We believe that true change happens when people are connected in community. We foster community through disciple groups, small groups, house groups, Bible studies and small classes.    

We believe in the power of family. Regardless of everyone’s personal family structure, we see our Getwell family as one body, from birth through senior adults. We partner with parents in the spiritual development of their children, and equip them with resources as they live out Deuteronomy 6 in the teaching of their children. 

We believe faith is strengthened through intergenerational connection, each generation learning from the next. We see current trends of Millennials around the country not only leaving their churches, but abandoning their faith altogether. We recognize these issues, and diligently work to alter those statistics.   

We teach our younger generation of kids and teens that they are vital to Kingdom work now. They don’t have to “grow up” or reach a certain age to be in service. We strive to be the church that is growing young. Therefore, we give the next generation “keys” of the church in different areas, training them for service, mentoring them along the way as they develop a faith that is able to “stick” despite current culture.   

We operate a day school that teaches children ages 2 years to 4 years old, providing 135 families in the community an opportunity for preschool training and Christian education.   

We provide sensory rooms and times of respite for families and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

We open our doors to the local community for use of our facilities. Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Celebrate Recovery, Junior Auxiliary, the Arc of Northwest Mississippi, and Desoto County Youth in Government all share in the space we call Getwell.  

We believe not only in service inside our walls, but outside as well. We actively participate in mission and service to our community in Desoto County and the Memphis/Mid-South area. Our Getwell family can be found at any time in service with the homeless in Memphis, Together Ministries, Olive Branch Food Pantry, Palmer Home, St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, House of Grace, Mid-South Love Home, FedEx Family House and local prison ministry.  Each week during the school year we provide weekend food backpacks for Southaven elementary underprivileged children in an effort to fight poverty and hunger. Summers are spent working to fight illiteracy by working with Project Transformation.   

We support through prayer and financial means Express Missions International in an effort to end human trafficking and slavery of women and children. We are active in supporting children in Compassion International.   

We are a church that supports and encourages adoption. Many of our families have participated in the local foster care program and International adoption process.   

We believe in carrying out Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 to go make disciples. Our Getwell family is actively involved in International missions. We have developed long lasting partnerships, and continually travel to Honduras, India, Ghana, Lesotho, Poland and England, all for the purpose of sharing the Gospel and being the hands and feet of Christ to the people in those countries.   

Over the past few months, there has been much speculation of our decision to become non-denominational. Our church and our pastors have been called out on social media and from convention floors, labeled and judged with insults and wild accusations. My prayer is that you see us for who we really are.   

We are one body with Jesus as the head. We want to connect people to Jesus and to one another. All are invited. We are Getwell Church. We are family. We do what we do so that the next generation will know Jesus.    

Peace 

Greg Meek, Family Ministry Director