JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

Sunday Mornings Worship at 11 am
Sunday School at 10 am

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

Sunday Mornings Worship
at 11 am
Sunday School at 10 am

Welcome to Handsboro United Methodist Church

WELCOME to the Handsboro United Methodist Church website! We count it a joy and honor that you are visiting our page today! We are a church where you will find warmth that truly reflects God’s love. We are experiencing some exciting times in ministry and we would like to invite you to share with us as we continue to grow in grace.

You are invited to come and join us as we have something for everyone! We have Sunday School at 10 AM, Sunday worship at 11 AM, a women’s group, a men’s group, youth & children activities, a craft circle, a weekly Bible Study and a Food Pantry.

So, if you are looking for a church where you can be part of a family, grow in your faith, connect through small groups and worship in a traditional style…look no further! You have found the church you are seeking. If you have any questions about our church, please contact us.

Again, thank you for visiting our website today!

John McCay III

About the Pastor

The Reverend Doctor John M. McCay, III has served the Handsboro United Methodist Church since 2008. He is an ordained Elder in the Mississippi Conference, where he has served on several boards, currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Board of Pensions. Dr. McCay began in the ministry in 1994 serving the Bond United Methodist Church while attending college. He has also served the Winborn Chapel United Methodist Church in Greene County, Shipman United Methodist Church in George County, Gateway United Methodist Church in Gulfport and Trinity United Methodist Church in Picayune.

Dr. McCay has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He is also a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard, where he is the Wing Chaplain for the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Our pastor is married to Miss Susan Brammer McCay, who is a schoolteacher and works with our Children and Youth Ministries. They are the proud parents to John Brammer McCay.

What We Believe

We are a United Methodist church that believes in authentic preaching and the authoritative Word of God.  We believe in traditional family values that are biblically focused and believe Jesus should be the cornerstone in all families.   We proudly accept the Great Commission of equipping disciples to go out and positively transform the world.  We are unwavering in our devotion and dedication to God, our family, our world, our country and our community.  
 
As part of a global denomination, we take seriously the words of John Wesley by seeing this world as our parish.  We accomplish this by putting faith and love into action both in our community and abroad.  
 
We believe in a Trinitarian God.  God is three persons—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We believe God is loving, merciful, righteous and just.  
 
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Jesus humbly entered this world and lived a life as an example for each of us.  Jesus gave His life for the world so that we might have life everlasting.  
 
We believe we are incapable of achieving holiness under our own power.  Yet, we are able to receive it as a gift because of God’s great love for us.  We call this gift grace.  
 
We also live by three General Rules that John Wesley gave the church.  These rules help us to live out our faith.  They are:  do no harm, do good, and attend upon the ordinances of God.  
 
We believe a function of the church is to nurture and serve one another.  It is through our shared worship and community that our faith is nourished.  

History of the Handsboro United Methodist Church

The Handsboro United Methodist Church started in 1854 in the Handsboro community which was once the busiest center of the Gulf Coast. For this reason, Handsboro was the most logical place to establish the very first Methodist church between Biloxi and Bay St. Louis. The first building was built in 1854 and burned down in 1866. The congregation courageously built a new church on Pass Road in 1869. As a new subdivision was being developed, church leaders decided to purchase the property where the church is currently located. In 1963, an Educational Building was built and in 1981 the sanctuary was built. Over these treasured decades, Handsboro United Methodist Church has stood the test of time and its inspired congregation continues to be in service locally and globally.