Earl Smith

Pastor

Welcome to this website of First United Methodist Church, Plant City, Florida. I certainly hope that you find the site informative, easy to navigate, and inspirational! We are a church dedicated to the Gospel of Christ, enthused by the grace of God, always seeking empowerment through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and thrilled with the continual prospect of walking each day in ministry with Jesus.

I’m originally an Ohio boy, but as the bumper sticker says, “I might not have been born in the south but I got here as quick as I could.” I started serving churches in such places such as Columbus, Ohio, Middletown, Elmore, and Ottawa. We moved the family to Florida to begin ministry in Punta Gorda in 1994, and I started ministering in this church in 2005.

This is a warm and friendly church with lots going on. Just look more closely at this website and you can see that for yourself. If you’re in the area or moving here soon we want to invite you to check us out in person. Let me know who you are! Until then, God bless you in your spiritual journey – and – keep the faith!

Pastor Earl

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Nancy Chaney

Associate Pastor

I am Nancy Chaney, the Minister of Program/Congregational Care. I have been on First Church’s Staff Team for almost two years now. I came to Plant City from Austin, Texas, where I tried to retire near one set of kids. The Lord had different plans and moved me here to work with my former Pastor, Earl Smith. Pastor and I had worked together in Punta Gorda, Fl. So, you see, I really am a Floridian at heart! I love Plant City, a city with a small town friendliness that has embraced me as one of their own! I recently married, in October of 2008, a man from Pinehurst, N.C. Together, we have three sons, six granddaughters, and one grandson. Richard loves me, fishing, singing, and golf—not necessarily in that order! Just kidding. I love Richard, flowers, and this church and community—in that order! But, we both love the Lord first! Come and join us in worshiping Him and meet a warm and friendly family that will take you into their hearts and give you His love!

Nancy Chaney

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Shawna Cook

Director of Children's Ministry

Hi there, my name is Shawna Cook or Miss Shawna as the kids say and I have lived in Florida for over 20 years. Here is where I met my husband Tony and are raising our three children, Michael (18), Ian (16), and Bianca (11). I have served as Children's Director for 8 years in this church and amazing things have happened but nothing warms my heart more when a child accepts Christ! That is what our team is dedicated to do, to partner with families and help support their child's spirituality.

Building God's Kingdom one child at a time
Shawna Cook

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Debbie Hayes

Director of Worship and Music Ministries

Favorite Bible Verse: Colossians 3:16-17 ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

How you came to faith: Being brought up in a Christian family, it was only natural for me to accept the Lord as my personal Lord and Savior early in life. At the age of 8, I realized that I needed God’s transforming forgiveness. The Bible says that “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) So at that early age, I did ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins and come into my life. I praise God that He has given me a lifetime of knowing and serving Him!

Vision for First United Plant City: Our goal and vision is that through the worship of God’s people in the body of Christ, as well as in our own personnel lives, Jesus Christ will be praised, glorified and lifted up in our church and community. We are to help make disciples of Jesus Christ using various worship tools to accomplish this goal. We desire to promote and facilitate strong, meaningful worship experiences, and to provide leadership, opportunities and encouragement to better equip all members to glorify God through the artistic, musical, and dramatic arts. It is our goal to create worship which will be Spirit led, which will enable each worshiper to ready themselves to hear the Word of God and that will be evangelistic in nature and reach out to our community.

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Philip Brooks

Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

My Favorite Bible Verse:  1 Chronicles 11:22 “Benaiah … struck down Moab’s two Mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.” Crazy, huh? First off, why would a guy think to run and chase a lion? Secondly, once the lion was in the pit, wouldn’t you leave him alone? This guy was definitely crazy. Slipping and sliding on the snow, he jumped into the pit to kill the lion he just chased.

I love that verse cause it seems like we are either getting chased or chasing lions all the time. In 2007, I married Alisa (what a pit I jumped into that day!). Since high school, I have been working in youth groups as either a student volunteer or an adult volunteer (I know, I must be crazy like Benaiah). In August 2011, I ran after the largest lion I’ve every chased by quitting my job in retail and becoming the youth pastor here at First Church. Every day is an exciting adventure, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

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Jane Brady

Executive Assistant

Favorite Bible Verse: 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' - Acts 17:28 (a)
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:4

How you came to faith: Growing up in church and having Godly parents that loved the house of God gave me a wonderful beginning. I remember vividly at the age of nine years sitting in a VBS and the Pastor giving the concluding message to all the children the wonderful story of Jesus! Suddenly, I REALIZED that I had never accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. My journey since those early years has been a journey of growth and a desire to learn of Jesus!

One of my favorite little sayings: "Every experience God gives you and every person that He puts into your life is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see."

Vision for First UMC Plant City: Changed lives as they encounter Jesus Christ and His power!  The joy of serving God.