Loving God.
Loving Neighbor.
Serving the World.
Our
Core
Values
Inviting
In the United Methodist tradition, we believe in Prevenient Grace - the love of God that pursues us before we even know it. We invite others not just to fill a pew, but to experience a seat at God's table. At TUMC, we practice radical hospitality, ensuring that every person in Tonganoxie and surrounding areas know they are a person of sacred worth, welcomed exactly as they are.
Connecting
We are a Connectional Church. We believe we are stronger together than we are alone. Just as John Wesley organized "societies" and "classes", we prioritize building authentic relationships that sustain us through life's trials and triumphs. At TUMC, we foster holy friendships that link our hearts to one another, our local community to our global neighbors, and our lives to the heartbeat of God.
Growing
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of Sanctifying Grace. We don't just "believe"; we "become". We are committed to growing in our knowledge and love of God through prayer, the study of Scripture, and the use of our God-given reason. At TUMC, we provide spaces for all ages to deepen their faith, move toward active discipleship, and reflect the image of Christ more clearly each day.
Serving
The UMC has always held that "there is no holiness but social holiness". We believe that our love for God is best expressed through our service to "the least of these". We don't just stay within our walls; we go where the need is greatest. At TUMC, we serve joyfully in Tonganoxie and beyond, turning our prayers into our pulses and our faith into our feet to bring justice, mercy, and healing.
Our Vision
Empowering disciples in Tonganoxie and surrounding areas to live the Gospel: Loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously from our front doors to the ends of the earth.
What We Believe
We believe in the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - who creates, redeems, and sustains us through every season of life. Grounded in the authority of Scripture and the power of God's grace, we seek to grow in 'social holiness' by putting our faith into action for the good of our neighbors. As United Methodists, we are a connectional people committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of Tonganoxie and the world. We believe that everyone is a person of sacred worth, and we invite all to experience the life-changing love of God.
Our
Story
Althea Powell was a young woman, a Methodist who dreamed of having a church in her small town. Althea was not just a dreamer. Althea was a doer, instead of just hoping, she decided to make it happen. After a local preacher encouraged Miss Powell to pursue this calling she rode on horseback to canvas the community. She raised cash and pledges for the purpose of building a church and to purchase pews and an organ. Due to the efforts of Althea Powell, the Methodist Church in Tonganoxie was first chartered on June 24, 1869. The 20-by-30-foot brick church was built on the corner of Fourth and Green. Methodists have worshipped on that corner since. Gradually, through the year Tonganoxie United Methodist Church expanded into what it is today.
In recent years, TUMC has continued to seek ways to serve the Tonganoxie community. In the early 2000’s, the church started a day care called CareQuest, which has grown into a pre-k early learning center, called Tonganoxie Early Prep. In 2019, TUMC celebrated 150 years of ministry in Tonganoxie where members and our past ministers gathered to celebrate.
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In 2021, TUMC expanded its footprint downtown, Tonganoxie by voting to purchase the neighboring building now called 304, which is the address of the building, 304 E. 4th St. The idea is that people outside the church might encounter God in everyday places. With the new 304
facility, TUMC created a community gathering space called the 304 Venue.
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In 2022 they launched Grounded Coffeehouse, which provided a needed coffee shop space in Tonganoxie. It created a place people can come and be more “grounded.” The coffee shop created new opportunities for youth to work and grow leadership skills. And, as a non-profit ministry of the church, Grounded Coffeehouse’s proceeds go to local and international charity. TUMC continues to seek to live into its core values of being Inviting, Connecting, Growing, and Serving.