Phyllis Fernandez & Her Many Hats

Staff Spotlight – Phyllis Fernandez

Phyllis Fernandez wears many hats. As the Director of Involvement, Phyllis supports First UMC by generating excitement within the life of the church. 

Her many hats include enlisting volunteers to support the church’s missions and day to day activities, helping the church foster a relationship with Charlton Pollard Elementary School. Additionally she creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere with her decorating, and organizes family retreats at Lakeview.

Phyllis was born in Woodville and moved to Beaumont when she was four. She attended Beaumont ISD schools and graduated from Lamar University with a degree in Education. She taught elementary school students for nineteen years in BISD, retiring in 2004. Her education and experience teaching school prepared her for the many tasks she manages at First UMC.

Phyllis’ personal relationship with God is very important to Her. She and her family joined First UMC in 1977, and attended the Cornerstones Sunday School class. Their three children participated in the children’s program. She made a profession of faith in Christ at age 9 and has experienced God’s presence and blessings all her life. 

“I believe with all my heart that God can bring about blessings from difficult or tragic circumstances,” Phyllis said.

She experienced this first hand when her then seven year old son needed a kidney transplant. Phyllis matched her son as a suitable kidney donor, and was able to donate her kidney to him.

Among Phyllis’ blessings is her marriage to Jose Fernandez nine years ago. 

Her prayer is “that our Church will see a revival of love and spirit within our congregation, God will bless our church in whatever way He sees fit, and that we will be open to God’s leading.”

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they 
may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 NRSV

Guiding Little Hands & Big Hearts

Staff Spotlight – Stephanie Denham

The ever-enthusiastic Stephanie Denham is our Family Ministries Director.

Stephanie grew up in Beaumont.  She and husband, Dustin, have two children, Abigail, 17, and Dylan, 14.

Before coming to First UMC in 2018, Stephanie taught preschool and served as the director of children’s ministries at another Methodist church. She works directly for Bishop Scott Jones of the Texas Annual Conference as the Coordinator of Child Care. With Stephanie, First UMC gained a whole family who saw the opportunity to serve other families and encourage interconnection between them.

Stephanie gives the children’s message and a beautiful smile in the sanctuary each Sunday. The children then follow her to the chapel for children’s church. There, she follows the order of worship experienced by the adults.  

Stephanie does not “believe in babysitting at church.” She teaches the children the meaning of each part of the service and the appropriate behavior during the service. Stephanie also prepares a Sunday School lesson for children and youth each week.

She is working with the other ministries of the church to encourage families’ involvement. Stephanie considers the relationships she and Dustin have developed with other families as key to their personal growth and enjoyment of First UMC.

Stephanie’s prayer that more children and youth attend First UMC is already being answered. Each Sunday more children are attending our worship service.

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’”
Matthew 19:14 NRSV

First Family Ministries

At First United Methodist Church Beaumont, we love to create space and time for our children and youth to be able to grow in faith together.

At First UMC, students to grow as followers of Jesus and build friendships while sharing food, fellowship, prayer, and Bible study. We want every child and teenager to be able to experience the love of God in an atmosphere created by a safe and loving community.

Contact Stephanie Denham
Director of Family Ministries Stephanie@fumcbeaumont.org