First Methodist Church of Waco — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Rev. Dr. Mike Voigts (Senior Pastor)

Founded 1859 (historic congregation; joined GMC 2022)

Denomination Global Methodist Church

Service Times Main Campus: Sunday 9:30 AM Contemporary, 11:00 AM Traditional; Speegleville Campus: Sunday 11:00 AM; Baylor Campus: Tuesday 7:00 PM

Men's Ministry No

Kids Ministry Yes

Website firstwaco.com

Pastor Credentials Previously professor at Asbury Theological Seminary; became Senior Pastor May 2025; elder in the Global Methodist Church

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

GMC Trinitarian orthodoxy.

Strong

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

Affirms biblical authority.

Strong

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

No dedicated men's ministry confirmed on website; may have general adult discipleship.

Caution

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Wesleyan salvation by grace.

Strong

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

GMC Mid Texas Conference — verify stance; Rev. Dr. Blossom Matthews serves as Senior Associate Pastor, indicating women in pastoral roles at this church.

Caution

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Male senior pastor; female senior associate pastor present. Verify elder vs. pastoral distinctions.

Caution

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Rev. Dr. Voigts brings Asbury Seminary academic depth to preaching ministry.

Strong

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

Multi-site church including Baylor campus reaching university students.

Strong

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Joined GMC 2022 — early-adopter orthodox Methodist.

Strong

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Global Methodist Church — joined 2022 as a founding-era GMC congregation.

Strong

Assessment

First Methodist Church of Waco is a historic 1859 congregation that was among the earliest to leave the UMC and join the Global Methodist Church in 2022. Rev. Dr. Mike Voigts became Senior Pastor in May 2025 after serving as a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary — bringing academic Wesleyan depth to the pulpit. The church operates three campuses: the Main Campus on Cobbs Drive, the Speegleville Campus, and a Baylor Campus specifically reaching university students with a Tuesday 7 PM service. One flag worth noting: Rev. Dr. Blossom Matthews serves as Senior Associate Pastor, meaning this particular GMC church does appoint women to pastoral roles (distinct from formal elder ordination, which varies by conference). This places the church closer to the YELLOW end of the gender-rubric for readers committed to male-only ordination. For those comfortable with women in teaching/associate roles but male senior leadership, it's a solid orthodox Wesleyan option in Central Texas.