Oakhurst United Methodist Church focuses on our core mission of making disciples who make disciples who transform the world. Our focus on multiplication and transformation leads us to engage heavily in mission and discipleship opportunities in the church, community, and around the world. For almost 60 years, Oakhurst has provided meaningful mission to both the Seminole Community and St. Petersburg. Engaging in a partnership with other churches, Oakhurst serves Pinellas County through feeding ministries at St. Vincent DePaul. In 2020, Oakhurst sent member Deborah Ralph to Kenya where she oversees the development of a project in a rural part of the country to create a school serving children with physical disabilities. This school opened to students in January of 2024 and has begun another round of fundraising and planning for expansion because of the great need.
Baby Basics of Pinellas County serves working families below the county median income guidelines in providing diapers for children ages 0-3. Every month, 50 babies receive a one-month supply of diapers promoting both good hygiene and partnering with these families to alleviate financial stress that comes with raising a young child. In further continuation of these objectives, Four Seasons Preschool (an ELC eligible childcare center) opened its doors on Oakhurst’s campus in the fall of 2023.
All of these missions are funded and fueled by the generous donations of Oakhurst’s membership and community partners, as well as through the investments held and managed by the Florida United Methodist Foundation. The Florida United Methodist Foundation has been a great resource to Oakhurst UMC over the years. Whether providing timely training to our finance teams, resources on how to encourage and increase giving, efficient and cost-effective support for processing of in-kind stock and mutual fund donations, and providing savings instruments with higher than average rates of return, the Foundation can be counted on to stand beside our church to support our internal and external ministries.