Who We Are

Our Purpose

Every local church should look the same in many ways. We are all called to love each other and to reach the lost. We’re called to preach truth and to worship together regularly. In short, every healthy church will strive to live out the picture God gives us of His Church. Still, every local church has a Christ-given calling that is specific to its people and its community. BFMC is no different.

Our Mission

Love God. Love people. Make disciples.

At the heart of our church, we long to show love to the community around us, connecting them to Jesus Christ, so that he can forgive their sin, restore their relationships and change their lives!

What is a Free Methodist?

Some people ask what the difference is between Methodists and Free Methodists. Free Methodism was founded in 1860 in New York by a group of pastors of what was then the Methodist Episcopal Church. That church would later merge with other Methodist denominations to form the United Methodist Church. 

In 1860, concerns grew that the church had drifted from its Biblical and Wesleyan roots. It had become a place where–if you wanted a good seat–you had to pay to rent a pew, stifling the free expression of worship. Additionally, while the mother church did not take a stand, those who took the name "Free" Methodist opposed slavery. A group of pastors attempted to change the church from the inside out, trying to right the wrongs and return the church back to a more Biblical and compassionate stance. As a result, they were excommunicated from the church. So, these men and several other like-minded individuals, formed the Free Methodist Church on August 23, 1860–dedicated to free pews, free worship, free men and women, and a freedom to live holy lives in obedience to the Bible.

Today, the Free Methodist Church has grown to almost 1 million members in virtually every country around the globe. We are a missions-minded people, as evidenced by the fact that there are more Free Methodists in overseas countries than in the USA–thanks largely to the efforts of dedicated missionaries that spread the message of the Gospel. We are a compassionate people, getting involved in major humanitarian efforts to free slaves, sponsor hungry and orphaned children, provide for the sick, and feed and clothe those in poverty, as well as bring the message of hope and salvation through Jesus to all.