Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Welcome to the BLOG, an acronym for Bethlehem, Live Oak, and Grace. These three United Methodist Churches are a part of the Bladen Charge and are located in Bladen County, NC. 

We share a combined dedication to connect people to God through:
-demonstration of excellence in worship
-concern and support for each other, as well as those around us
-providing and participating in engaging spiritual worship 
-sharing our faith and beliefs by living our best Christian life

We strive to achieve these goals by reaching  out to our communities, finding ways to serve them, help them, and most  importantly, to love them. We believe that God loves and cares for us  all equally and wants us to do the same for each other. 

Through outreach events, members of Bethlehem UMC engage with their community by encouraging fellowship  and inclusion. In addition to Sunday worship, folks in the White Oak  area are always welcome at cover dish dinners, luncheons, book clubs,  prayer groups, Bible study, and vacation Bible school. 

Live Oak UMC has been busy setting up and opening a community food pantry and clothes closet  for anyone who is in need. Church members, including youth, spent hours  getting this project off the ground. Their dedication has paid off.  Shelves are stocked and ready!  Current operating hours are Tuesday and  Saturday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. 

Grace  UMC is the newest member of the Bladen Charge. With 49 charter members,  this group was declared an official member of the United Methodist  Conference on June 4, 2023 by Bishop Connie Shelton. Grace is engaging  the community through food ministries, compassionate care teams, and a  focus on schools. 

I am privileged and humbled to be the pastor at each of these Christ-led  ministries. By reaching out to those that the community could not, or  would not see – to the outcast, the downtrodden, and the oppressed, we  strive to live as Christ taught us. 

I invite you to follow Jesus’ example and do the same. Whether it be in  one of these churches or in one of your choosing. We are in this  together – let’s make God’s Kingdom here on earth come alive for  everyone to whom we connect!

Blessings.
Pastor Mark Gustafson