We believe that people matter to God.  We believe that God wants you to enjoy life.  We believe that following Christ is the best offer in the world.

We believe that all people are welcome in God's eyes and in God's loving embrace.  Our church is made up of individuals from many backgrounds, but united under the common tie of God's love.  We care for each other because we are a family united in Christ and blessed by God. 

Jesus reached out to people of all ages and backgrounds. Here at Hillcrest United Methodist Church, we want to do the same. That's why we have different ministries geared to various life stages and needs. We have a place for everyone to fellowship together and minister to others.

We want you to be a part of the blessings of God in the life of our church. Join us at Hillcrest United Methodist Church so the blessings may flow both ways!

HILLCREST'S HISTORY 

Hillcrest United Methodist Church organized in 1922. 

In 1951, two and one-half acres of land was acquired at 92nd and Bryant Avenue South, with the intention that a new church be built there. A parsonage was built, but before the church was started it became apparent that the needs had already outgrown the plans. 

When Rev. Fred Smith became pastor in 1953, it was necessary to hold Sunday School classes in a nearby roller rink. Ten acres of land was purchased at 91st and Russell Avenue South, the church at 94th and Lyndale was sold, and building began on the new site. At this time, the name was changed to Hillcrest Methodist Church.

UNITED METHODIST HISTORY

The main founder of the Methodist is John Wesley, who was born 300 years ago and became the driving force behind the Methodist movement. The fact that this movement is now worldwide would surely have amazed Wesley, who simply saw himself as a servant of the Lord.

Susan Wesley, mother to Charles and John, is today known as the Mother of Methodism. While her husband was absent in London in 1711 attending Convocation, Mrs. Wesley adopted the practice of reading in her family and instructing them. One servant brought his parents and they brought others. They came till the congregations amounted to forty, and increased till they were over two hundred. Mr. Wesley wrote to his wife that she should get some one else to read the sermons. She replied that there was not a man there who could read a sermon without spoiling it. 

Charles Wesley, John's brother, is often called the poet of the Methodist movement. He composed almost 7000 hymns, many of which are still sung in Protestant churches. Among the most widely known are "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

OUR SOCIAL CREED

We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.

We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.

We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.

We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.

We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.

We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.