Our Mission

New Thomson United Methodist Church helps people find peace and purpose within a United Methodist faith community. Here, all are welcome to join in the worship of God, the fellowship of this community, and the ministry of outreach.

Rev. Dr. Sargent Nelson

Rev Dr. Sargent R. Nelson, Provisional Elder in the North Georgia Conference, was appointed as the New Thomson United Methodist pastor.

Born to the late George W. Nelson and Baby Ruth Joseph in Winnfield, Louisiana, Rev Dr. Nelson's journey includes ten years of commendable service in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served during Desert Storm.

His dedication to ministry is evident in his 15-year tenure as a Bureau of Prisons chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution in Talladega, Alabama. He has served as a local pastor in the North Georgia Conference, Rev Dr. Nelson has left an indelible mark on various appointments in the South West District.

Rev Dr. Nelson's educational achievements showcase his commitment to excellence:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Church Administration from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

Master of Divinity from Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia

Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at DePaul Medical Center, Norfolk, Virginia

Doctor of Ministry from The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Married to Sonja Butler Nelson, principal at New Georgia Elementary School in Paulding County, their family has been recognized for their contributions to education, with Sonja being named Administrator of the Year. The couple takes pride in their children, Sargent Jr. and Alicia.

Rev Dr. Nelson's ministry philosophy is deeply rooted in a faith anchored in the Bible's primacy. His approach embraces the richness of tradition, the diversity of experience, and intellectual exploration guided by reason. This commitment contributes to a holistic and transformative spiritual journey for both Rev Dr. Nelson and the congregation at New Thomson United Methodist Church.

The New Thomson United Methodist Church invites the community to join us at Austin Oaks each Sunday at 11:00 AM.

  • The United Methodist Church is a global denomination that opens hearts, opens minds and opens doors through active engagement with our world. The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

    A United Methodist is someone who joins in that mission by putting faith and love into action. We believe that God loves all people, and that we share in expressing that love. So the United Methodist tradition emphasizes God's grace and in serving others. We believe that Jesus Christ is the fullest expression of God's love--showing us the fullness of God's care through Jesus' teachings, death and resurrection.

    John Wesley started the Methodist movement in 18th century England. His teachings on practical divinity (living out our faith) and appeals to reason and experience form important aspects of United Methodist practice today.

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  • The United Methodist Church shares a great deal with other Christian denominations. We believe God's grace is open to all, and therefore practice "open Communion"--meaning that anyone may participate in receiving Communion. We believe salvation is an open gift from God, accepted by individuals according to their own free will. The United Methodist denomination is a "big tent" theologically, providing space for theological discourse and, at times, disagreement.

    Like many other Christian groups, we affirm the beliefs expressed in the Apostles Creed. These include:

    The belief in one God, who is the Creator and sustainer of the universe.

    The belief in the Trinity, that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

    The belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is fully human and fully divine.

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  • When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answered with two: “You must love the Lord your God” and “You must love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:34-40).

    Following Jesus's call, founder of the early Methodist movement John Wesley taught us to grow in our faith by “doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all” (General Rules).

    United Methodists around the world are active in our local communities, and through our global connection of congregations and agencies, we participate in ministries thousands of miles from where we live.

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