Staff Spotlight – Stephanie Denham
The ever-enthusiastic Stephanie Denham is our Family Ministries Director.
Stephanie grew up in Beaumont. She and husband, Dustin, have two children, Abigail, 17, and Dylan, 14.
Before coming to First UMC in 2018, Stephanie taught preschool and served as the director of children’s ministries at another Methodist church. She works directly for Bishop Scott Jones of the Texas Annual Conference as the Coordinator of Child Care. With Stephanie, First UMC gained a whole family who saw the opportunity to serve other families and encourage interconnection between them.
Stephanie gives the children’s message and a beautiful smile in the sanctuary each Sunday. The children then follow her to the chapel for children’s church. There, she follows the order of worship experienced by the adults.
Stephanie does not “believe in babysitting at church.” She teaches the children the meaning of each part of the service and the appropriate behavior during the service. Stephanie also prepares a Sunday School lesson for children and youth each week.
She is working with the other ministries of the church to encourage families’ involvement. Stephanie considers the relationships she and Dustin have developed with other families as key to their personal growth and enjoyment of First UMC.
Stephanie’s prayer that more children and youth attend First UMC is already being answered. Each Sunday more children are attending our worship service.
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’”
Matthew 19:14 NRSV
First Family Ministries
At First United Methodist Church Beaumont, we love to create space and time for our children and youth to be able to grow in faith together.
At First UMC, students to grow as followers of Jesus and build friendships while sharing food, fellowship, prayer, and Bible study. We want every child and teenager to be able to experience the love of God in an atmosphere created by a safe and loving community.
Contact Stephanie Denham
Director of Family Ministries Stephanie@fumcbeaumont.org