history
new world
In June 1974, The Reverend Dr. George Fallon was appointed to organize a new congregation in North Arlington. On June 16, the first worship service was held in Ramada Inn with 79 attending. In October 1975, the growing fellowship moved to Butler Elementary School, and on May 23, 1976, the congregation broke ground for the first stage of its building program. The 6400 sq. ft. facility was completed, and the young congregation worshiped for the first time in its permanent quarters on Palm Sunday, 1977. Since those early days, the church has undergone three more phases of construction: the addition of education and administrative space in 1981, a 650-seat sanctuary in 1998, and an adult education building to provide new avenues of service to the community in 2007.
In addition to our founding pastor, New World has enjoyed the gifts and graces of six pastors. When Dr. Fallon became ill, The Reverend James R. Porter was appointed the church's pastor in January 1977. He served this congregation until August 1983, when The Reverend J. Allen Goss became the church's third pastor. In June 1987, The Reverend Dr. James A. Sanders, Jr., became the fourth New World pastor, serving until December 31, 1998. The Reverend Claus H. Rohlfs, Jr., was appointed to ministry here January 1, 1999, and served this co
ngregation until November 2000. The Reverend Dr. Ben Feemster served as Interim Senior Pastor February-June, 2001, and The Reverend Mike Dawson began his ministry at New World June 17, 2001.
Over the years, New World has also benefited from the caring ministries of six associate pastors. The Reverend Dewitt Seago, a retired pastor from the Northwest Texas Conference, served as our first associate pastor from January 1981-December 1984. The Reverend Barbara Johnson Arther began her appointment in June 1989 and served until January 1992. In March 1992, The Reverend Joe Carmichael joined the staff and served until 1998 when he was appointed the founding pastor of Community of Hope United Methodist Church, located in the Mansfield-South Arlington area. The Reverend Suzi Boeglin was appointed in June 1998, leaving in June 2003 to become the director of Arlington Urban Ministries. The Reverend Dr. Sharon Tuck served from June 2003-June 2005. The Reverend Gordon Johnson, hired in 2002 for evangelism ministry, was consecrated as a Deacon in 2006 and presently serves the New World Family as Minister of Pastoral Care.
To accommodate rapid growth in the youth department, Michelle Frawley was added to the staff in May 2000, assuming a part time position to assist youth directors Bill and Sheri Wom
ack. Kristen Lane was hired to serve as New World's first Childrens Director in May 1998 and served in that position until 2006. Jill Dyer joined the staff as Childrens Director in 2006 until family issues necessitated her return to Arkansas, and Kim George assumed duties as our third Childrens Director in 2007. Carrie Chavarria became our Director of Music Ministries in 2007, following Bill and Joan Miller and Rick Springer in that capacity. Sarah Burden Roberts presently serves as our Childrens Choir Director.
In 2004, a committed group of volunteers dedicated their musical talents to the formation of The Way Praise Band and kicked off a once a month Saturday evening non-traditional worship service in September of that year. In 2006, the non-traditional worship service moved to 9:30 am on Sundays, joining the morning schedule which now provides three distinct worship services: The 8:15 service is a traditional service in which Holy Communion is served weekly and the 10:50 service is a traditional service featuring music by The Chancel Choir and vocal and instrumental ensembles.
Celebrating our 35th year in ministry together, The New World congregation continues to grow in discipleship, mission, and outreach. We invite you to come and see. There is a place for you at New World.
united methodist church
To learn about the history of the United Methodist church, please click here to go to the website of our denomination home.
