About | Jenks Methodist Church

About Us

At Jenks Methodist Church, we are an independent Methodist congregation committed to reading and teaching the Bible. We hold to the core values of truth, mission, and family. Our church stands on the foundation of Scripture and the Wesleyan tradition. We invite you to join a community where faith shapes every part of life, where people serve together, and where families grow in Christ. Whether you are new to church or seeking a place to call home, you are welcome here.

Core Values

Truth

We believe all Scripture is the inspired word of God, the foundation of our faith, and reveals the Good News of Jesus Christ as the one Savior of all.

Mission

The Church was made for mission. We are a mission-driven community, created for the purpose of making disciples of Christ in faithful fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Family

We believe strong families build strong communities, so we serve Christ and our neighbors together as one church family, united in Him.

Communion

A primary means of grace in our church, with weekly Communion nourishing our faith, as we equip every believer to follow Christ.

Baptism

A primary means of grace in our church, marking mature discipleship, as we strengthen every believer to live for Christ.

Our Beliefs

Our church joyfully stands in the historic Christian faith, rooted in Scripture, shaped by the Apostles’ Creed, and guided by our Wesleyan heritage. We believe in one loving God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - who created us, redeems us through Jesus Christ, and empowers us by the Holy Spirit to live lives of faith, hope, and love. We affirm the Bible as God’s trustworthy Word, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit who helps us grow in holiness and Christlike living.

As a Wesleyan congregation, we celebrate God’s grace at every step of the Christian journey and seek to express our faith through worship, prayer, fellowship, and acts of service and mercy. We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, called to make disciples and share God’s love with the world. We affirm the dignity of every person and uphold historic Christian teaching on marriage, community, and holy living, always seeking to reflect God’s grace and truth.

This summary highlights the heart of what we believe, but we would love to share more with you in person. You can receive our full Statement of Faith by visiting the church; we’d be honored to walk with you as you explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

Meet Our Senior Pastor

Ryan Goodnight

Ryan Goodnight serves as the Lead Pastor at Jenks Methodist Church, an independent Wesleyan congregation.

Pastor Ryan completed his graduate
studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. With a passion for biblical teaching and spiritual growth, Pastor Ryan is dedicated to guiding the church in truth, fostering family discipleship, and advancing a biblical mission.

Outside of ministry, he enjoys photography and outdoor activities such as scuba diving. Pastor Ryan believes in leading with humility and serving with love, inviting all to deepen their walk with Jesus. He is married and the father of two daughters.

Meet Our Office Manager

Morgan Hill

Morgan Hill has been the Office Manager of Jenks Methodist Church for 4 years and is often referred to as the central nervous system of the church. If something needs to get done, Morgan is probably already on it or at least knows someone who can help.

She has been with her husband, Landon, for 12 years, homeschool mom of their 4-year-old daughter, and part-time Airbnb host. When she's not organizing all the moving parts around here, she enjoys traveling with her family or being outdoors at the ballfields cheering on spring softball and fall football. If the schedule allows, you'll likely find her taking lite one book at a time.

Meet Our Worship Leader

Aly Seaman

Aly has been leading worship at JMC for the last year and a half. She has a a passion for helping lead others to Christ through music. In addition to music, Aly is also our social media manager at JMC.

Aly is a wife to Ryan, mom to her 3 kids Eleanor (7), Wren (5) and Callan (1). Outside of church, she can usually be found doing her "grandma hobbies" - crocheting, gardening, reading, or baking sourdough. Aly has been a photographer for 10 years for churches and families, and loves to capture special moments.

Governance

Our church is led by a leadership board consisting of baptized lay members from our congregation who demonstrate both spiritual maturity and relevant experience. This board oversees the mission, ministries, and resources of the church, working closely with the pastor to ensure decisions reflect our commitment to Christ and the needs of our community. By entrusting leadership to faithful members who are active in their discipleship, we foster accountability, collaboration, and a focus on serving others. This structure allows us to respond quickly to ministry opportunities, maintain clear oversight, and empower others to use their gifts for Christ and His kingdom.

Our History

With the discovery of oil in Glenpool, Jenks became a boom town. The first services were held in the railroad station. Bennie and Lutie Saunders were founding members. Bennie hauled oil-soaked beams from the Glenpool oil fields to form the foundation of the first building on the corner of 3rd and A street. The white frame structure with bell tower was destroyed by a tornado in 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Engel donated the land where the church stands today. The new building opened in 1922, was replaced again in 1970, and has since been renovated.

Our church has been a vital part of the community in the heart of Jenks, America for over 110 years. Through the generations, some families have been active since it’s earliest days. The congregation is a close-knit group of believers who grow to be like family.

Jenks Methodist helped launch Glenpool UMC and Saint James UMC. However, in 2023, we disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church. We remain deeply rooted in the Methodist tradition, and are discerning our next steps.