ABOUT PASTOR
HERB COATES

Rev. Herb W. Coates has been senior pastor of the Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church since July of 2006. Prior to that date, he served as senior pastor in Vincennes, IN, Springfield, IL and Lincoln, IL.

He and his wife Sheryl have three adult children: Greg, Kyle and Rachel and two grand-daughters, Lydah and Eve.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

•  The Bible is God's written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the foundation of faith and the standard for living.

•  Salvation through faith brings one into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

•  Baptism of new believers is the outward expression of trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.

•  We seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to show in our lives the fruit of the Spirit.

•  Holy communion should be celebrated on an open basis. One need not be a member to participate.

•  Men and women of all ethnic groups are welcomed into equal fellowship and full participation in the church.

•  We are called to bring the gospel to all people, rich and poor, and to work for justice in all things.

•  As global Christians we are called by God to help fulfill the Great Commission to spread the good news about Jesus throughout the world.

ABOUT THE
FREE METHODIST
CHURCH

The "free" in Free Methodist stands for freedom—freedom in worship style, freedom for the poor to worship with the wealthy, and freedom from slavery for all people.

These are the reasons why, in 1860, a group of Methodist lay people and pastors joined together to form a new denomination and called it Free Methodist.