Weekly Services

ABOUT US

White Oak

United Methodist Church

White Oak UMC is a member of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, in the Scenic South District under supervision of the Rev. Mickey Rainwater.

Traditionally, we have emphasized the following.

• God will comfort, guide, and forgive every person, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.
• The Bible is the word of God, and the foundation of our beliefs.
• Jesus, the son of God, died on the cross for all everyone.
• Serving others and Christian faith go hand in hand.
• God loves everyone and wants every person to experience the joy, peace, and power of living in relationship with him.
• People need a community of grace for their spiritual journey; a place where they are loved, accepted and feel safe in which to grow. 

In practice, we are similar to other Protestant denominations, as we affirm our beliefs through the sacred symbols of baptism and communion.

Through baptism, we accept God’s gifts through Jesus. There is no strict rule among United Methodists about how baptism must be performed, although sprinkling water on the head of the person being baptized is most common. Everyone is accepted and welcome at the communion table, whether members of the Church or not, children or adults.

The modern history of United Methodism can be traced back to John Wesley, who felt his own heart strangely warmed nearly three centuries ago. After this experience, he was compelled to reach out to England’s poorest citizens, which he did with the help of his brother, Charles. Their work launched a movement that spread to the American colonies and took hold with a fervor that still exists almost 300 years later.

During that time, our hearts have led us to build almost as many schools as churches, as we were among the first to create institutions of learning for settlers, women, and newly freed slaves. There are now 120 United Methodist institutions, including schools outside the U.S., most notably Africa University in Zimbabwe.

Today, United Methodists comprise the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. Our churches are connected by a system to guide our work and govern our policies. We continue to take the lead in social, spiritual, political and moral concerns. In the tradition of John and Charles Wesley, our members study scripture, encourage thoughtful debate, and confront the tough issues of the day. We still lead with our hearts, keep our minds open, and welcome everyone through our doors.

For more information regarding the United Methodist Church or the Holston Conference, please visit https://www.holston.org/

Faith

Faith is the cornerstone of our church. It is part of every activity that we do, every meeting that we hold. We believe in our Lord, and that our actions are a reflection of his goodness. 

Scripture

We look to the Lord for guidance in our lives. In Scripture, we find all that we need to guide us in the right path. Reading and understand Scripture helps us all live meaningful lives. 

Community

Join us. We welcome each and every one of you to encounter the Lord's unconditional love with us. Inside each of us is a purpose and meaning to be fulfilled by God.