Outreach (Missions and Evangelism)

To love God and to love others – this is Jesus’ command to all who would claim his name. We believe that, by becoming the hands and feet of Jesus, we have the chance to help spread the Good News of God’s love to all those around.  Our Outreach Ministry (Missions and Evangelism) joyfully shares the good news of Jesus Christ through discipleship, faith development, and service to those in need.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

- John 13:35

  • Opportunities to volunteer

    Download our monthly Missions & Involvement printable calendar:
    Oktoberfest Volunteers
    Friday - Sunday, Oct. 15-17 | Southlake Town Square
    It’s Oktoberfest time… Come join us Friday - Sunday, Oct. 15-17, as we introduce guests in the local community to the wonderful grace and hospitality we share at White’s Chapel! There will be a White’s Chapel hospitality tent set up at Southlake Town Square on Friday (4 to 8 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), and Sunday (noon to 8 p.m.). Volunteers will be handing out “God is Big Enough” bracelets and red WC tote bags. Kids will also be able to make soldier cards at the WC tent.
    Before the fun day, volunteers are needed to help pre-stuff 4,000 of the red WC tote bags with some items from the church. The bags will include a Herald newspaper, a “God is Big Enough” bracelet and other various ministry items. Pre-stuffing will be…

    Sign up to share your time and hospitality to our community! Volunteers are encouraged to sign up online.
    Filling the Gap
    Try to imagine a single parent working multiple jobs to support three children. Often times, this situation requires the parent to work hours when the children are at home without him/her, and as a result of financial restrictions, the children have no adult supervision.

    As unfortunate as this may sound, it happens more often than we wish to consider. It is one of several scenarios that creates a need for a ministry such as Filling the Gap.

    The Filling the Gap food ministry provides weekend food to at-risk students at O. H. Stowe Elementary as well as Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary, our Adopt-A-Schools. Every Friday during the school year, the program provides backpacks filled with food for approximately 180 children.

    The food is bought locally, packed by volunteers, and then delivered to the designated school. Nutritious items are included and packaged in a way so that children can prepare the food themselves.

    The program costs vary from $1,300 to $1,500 per week, depending upon the number of children being served. Many families are transient because of their financial status – so the number fluctuates weekly, depending on how many children qualify for the program.

    Volunteers are needed to pack and transport the backpacks each week. Those wanting to assist may contact Rev. Lori Cotton.

    Volunteers Needed!
    We are looking for volunteers to serve as tutors, working with our partner school in Haltom City, O.H. Stowe Elementary. Our tutors provide weekly assistance during the school year to help at-risk elementary children with their studies. You can tutor in reading, math, or science.

    Please contact Rev. Sterling Smith if interested.
    Serving with Love
    Third Saturday of each Month | 5 to 7 p.m.
    June 19, July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, & Dec.18
    On the third Saturday of each month, White’s Chapel volunteers travel to the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth to serve women and children who are homeless or victims of domestic violence. Volunteers meet at the Morris shelter at 5 p.m. to serve dinner and provide love, encouragement, and fellowship to the residents. Space is limited so volunteers are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is required and all volunteers must be fully vaccinated. For questions or additional registration information, please contact Heather Rowley.
    Volunteer at Angels’ Attic
    Angels' Attic is a volunteer-run White's Chapel ministry supporting local and global charities through the sale of donated merchandise. Angels’ Attic Upscale Resale, located at 1250 William D. Tate Ave., Suite 350, in Grapevine Towne Center, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Men and women are needed as volunteers to sort donations and ready them for display, test electronics, pick up and deliver furniture, research prices, repair furniture, display and stage merchandise, and greet and wait on customers. Volunteers may work regular weekly 2 hour shifts or substitute as needed. Volunteer opportunities can be tailored to fit your schedule. Contact Angels' Attic to schedule volunteer hours, call them at 817-251-9451 or simply show up when you have the time.
  • Coffee & Conversation with Rev. Sterling Smith
    Begins June 8 | 8 to 9 a.m.
    Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the Month     
    Please join Rev. Sterling Smith on Tuesday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., at the Starbucks in Southlake Town Square. He will host a casual conversation concerning our faith, our church and our God. This is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends while discussing "matters of the heart." No reservations necessary; simply show up and enjoy the fellowship!
    Campus Walking Tour
    6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    September 13 | December 6
    Have you been thinking about joining, or have recently joined the church... but are still a little unsure of how to navigate the White's Chapel campus? Or perhaps you have been coming to White's Chapel a long time but would like to learn more about our amazing church! We've got you covered - come join Rev. Sterling Smith for a campus walking tour. Beginning in Wesley Cafe, he will lead everyone on a campus tour - sharing stories along the way while highlighting our various ministries, where they meet and programs offered. This short tour will end in the beautiful Walton Chapel with a few minutes for Q&A. If interested, please email Rev. Sterling. Can't wait to see you there!​
    WC Rec Walk
    Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, & Dec. 4 | 9 a.m. | Lake Grapevine
    Please join Rev. Sterling Smith for a brisk walk the first Saturday of each month. The group will gather at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at Horseshoe Trail Park on Lake Grapevine (2700 Dove Road, Grapevine, TX 76051). Rev. Sterling will kick off the event with a "devotional minute," before leading a three-mile walk. This is a great opportunity to come together and enjoy the beauty of God's creation – it’s also a fabulous way to exercise! Registration is not required; just show up with your tennis shoes and a smile!
  • Angel Tree Forest
    Contact: Martha Reukema and Bridget Davis
    When: November 1 - December 5
    A long-standing tradition at White’s Chapel, the Angel Tree Forest will continue this year!  Instead of just one ‘angel tree’ the church has created a whole forest that represents multiple individuals in need during the holiday season.  The trees will be available in the concourse, art gallery, commons and the WC Kids’ area.  An online opportunity will also be available with virtual trees.  Drop by to admire the beautiful Christmas trees and take a tag to support the cause of your choice.

    Fill the Gap (Weekend Food Assistance)
    ​    Help us fill grocery sacks for students at our Adopt-a-Schools that are at risk for hunger over the weekends during the school year.  Teams of volunteers are needed to help in many ways: 
    • Tuesdays – meet at White’s Chapel in the main concourse to help pack the grocery sacks… assembly line style.
    • Fridays – meet one Friday a month at the Adopt-a-School to load the grocery sacks into backpacks for the students to take home so that they have some food to eat over the weekend. Volunteers will have to complete a background check.  
    • Transporters – during the week, help deliver the tubs filled with grocery sacks to the schools.
    • Shoppers – shop for the food used to fill the grocery sacks.
      ​
    Soldier Ministry
    Contact: Susan Tanner
    When: Monthly
    As a part of its many mission and ministry programs, White’s Chapel has a Soldier Ministry that has been in operation for more than 20 years.  Initially created to support soldiers from White’s Chapel, the program has expanded to reach thousands of soldiers across the globe by sending care packages filled with phone cards, handmade cards from WC Kids and adults, letters, Bibles, toiletries and food (among many other things).  The packages raise morale and let each soldier know that they are not forgotten!  People can help by donating items or helping pack boxes.  Donated items can be placed in the donation box by Wesley Café.  Contact Susan Tanner with any questions or to help.
    ​Spring Break Mission Activities
    When: Spring Break
    Outreach for a day(s) during Spring Break providing activities for families to do.

    Super Saturdays of Service
    As faithful followers of Jesus, we are instructed to put the needs of others before our own.  White’s Chapel is constantly looking for ways to serve others here in our own community as well as our nation and world.  Throughout the year, we offer multiple Super Saturdays of Service.  These events are monthly opportunities to come together as a community to serve the needs of others. We encourage friends, families (including children) and all church groups to participate.
  • Adopt-a-Schools
    White’s Chapel has adopted two elementary schools where we participate in tutoring, providing weekend grocery sacks for kids with food insecurity, providing school supplies for kids and classrooms, creating teacher appreciation events, helping with Christmas and food assistance for families in need, and supporting other needs that might arise for students and the schools during the year.  Our partner schools are O.H. Stowe Elementary in Haltom City and Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary in Fort Worth. There are many volunteer opportunities on a weekly or as-needed basis throughout the school year.
    Community Food Outreach
    ​    White’s Chapel provides 150-200 fully cooked meals each week to the homeless in Fort Worth through our partner agency, Community Food Bank.  Wednesday night dinner meals are prepared and cooked by the WC kitchen staff. The meals are then stored in our walk-in refrigerators overnight. Volunteers are needed to pick up and deliver the meals on Thursday morning to Community Food Bank in Fort Worth. 

    Contact Ginny Elder     for more information or to sign up to deliver the meals.
    Cooking with Care
    ​    Second and Third Monday of the month
    Each month, men and women join in planning, buying, preparing, and serving a meal to the parents, siblings, and family members staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Worth.  Ronald McDonald House provides housing for parents with critically ill children at Cook Children’s Medical Center.  Meals are served twice a month on the 2nd and 3rd Monday.  Currently, we are having the meals catered due to current restrictions.  As the restrictions begin to lighten, we anticipate more volunteer opportunities for this wonderful ministry.
    Dirty Dozen + YOU
    Leader: Chris Rowley
    When: As Needed
    No longer just a dozen!  Volunteers learn and perfect skills in construction, plumbing, electrical, painting, flooring…almost everything dealing with remodeling and construction.  Projects vary from emergency relief, to helping with housing and church buildings.  Opportunities are on an as-needed basis and there is schedule flexibility during each project.  Projects continue throughout the entire year and can be as simple as delivering items to shelters, schools and other places where supplies are provided by the church.
    Early Response Team
    Contact: Rev. Sterling Smith
    When: As Needed
    Volunteers go through an extensive eight-hour training by UMCOR on how to assist in the event of a natural, or man-made disaster. Teams are called to serve when we receive notice by the Central Texas Conference Coordinator. Teams travel to affected areas, and typically serve three to four days at a time.
    GRACE/Feed Our Kids
    When: Three weeks in June
    First three weeks of June, volunteers provide lunches at their expense for children at the Grace Food Pantry, Monday through Friday.
    Habitat for Humanity
    Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home.”  They believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.  White’s Chapel has partnered with Habitat to build several houses, as well as having partnered with other churches for joint home construction.  Habitat projects are announced as opportunities arise.
    Home with a Heart
    Leaders: Martha Reukema and Chris Rowley
    When: As Needed
    In partnership with GRACE’s transitional housing program, opportunities are available for men and women who love to remodel, restore, refurnish, and redecorate.  Apartment/housing units are remodeled for families, women, and children transitioning from homelessness to more permanent housing.  Volunteers are needed to renovate, decorate, and furnish the home unit with everything that is needed for a new beginning.  Opportunities are on an as-needed basis and there is schedule flexibility during the project.  Projects continue throughout the year.
    ​Mary & Marthas + YOU
    Leader: Martha Reukema and Sharon Nelson
    When: As Needed
    This exceptional group of volunteers serves in many different ways.  From running an errand for a person in need, helping organize a closet, decorating, gardening, administrative skills, writing letters - this group makes it easy to give back!  Volunteers interested in assisting this group will receive emails as opportunities arise.
    Serving with LOVE
    Third Saturday of the month from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
    Volunteers travel to Presbyterian Night Morris Shelter in Fort Worth to serve women and children who are homeless or victims of domestic violence. Volunteers serve dinner and provide love, encouragement, and fellowship.  Activities are provided for the children and their moms. This is a family-friendly opportunity, but children must be at least eight years of age and accompanied by a parent.
  • ​We have several mission trips throughout the year.  Some of these are international trips and some of them like the Spring Break Family Mission Trip are within the United States but still outside of the state of Texas.
    ​Spring Break Family Mission Trip
    Annually typically in March
    During spring break, families (children six years of age and older) have the opportunity to serve through the U.S. together for six to seven days to help others in need. Past locations have included Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, and more. Trips include worship, game nights and a fun excursion day.
    Puerto Rico Building Mission Trip
    This is our first mission trip as a church to Puerto Rico.  There is still much need in the rebuilding of the local communities after the latest hurricane.  We will work with UMCOR as Volunteers in Mission on damaged homes in the hardest hit areas.
    Costa Rica Bible Home Mission Trip
    The mission of the Roblealto Bible Home is to care for the children of Costa Rica who are in critical situations, at social risk or in need of specialized care.  The Bible Home provides these children with a safe home that they live in with house parents and other children.  There are 10 homes and a school on site.  We are there for whatever the Roblealto family needs, be it construction, painting, landscaping, or even nail sorting!  We call this trip Mission Trip 101 as it is not too rustic and there is a job for everyone.  And the children are so special!
    Guatemala Stove Building Mission Trip
    Can you imagine cooking all of your meals over a campfire on the ground in an enclosed sod house?  Join our mission team on our trip to Chichicastenago, Guatemala, where we will work in a local village and build cooking stoves.  Current campfires cause tremendous health concerns for the women and children in terms of smoke inhalation and accidental falls into the fire.  We work with experienced local stove builders and the families to build cooking stoves -- where we’ll sift sand, haul bricks and blocks, and get a chance to play with the children.
    ​Support Only
    Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital in Nepal
    WC has provided funding through communion offerings for the building of a children's wing at the hospital and provided medical supplies, food and clothing when needed.
Meet the Pastor
Rev. Sterling Smith
Pastor for Missions & 
Evangelism
Rev. Sterling Smith was born and raised in Little Rock, AR. ​He and his family relocated to Southlake in July 1995, and joined White’s Chapel after their very first visit. Smith has been married for 30 years to the love of his life, Susan. They have three adult children: Jake, Lucy, and Sam.