“Come as you are.” That’s the welcoming message of First Nevada Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. This congregation serves the Las Vegas community. It encourages others through a life-changing Christian journey.
First Nevada Christian Methodist Episcopal Church seeks to be a loving friendly community. It worships God and serves others. This church places a high priority on teaching from the Bible. They follow the example of Jesus.
The church’s vision is to impact Las Vegas and beyond. It aims to renew the area with the transforming message of Jesus Christ. This message is spread through words and actions.
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich history. It began December 16 1870 in Jackson Tennessee. Forty-one former slave members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South organized it. Predominantly African American the CME Church is part of Wesleyan Methodism. John Wesley founded this movement in England in 1844. It was established in America as the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784.
The CME Church welcomes all desiring salvation from their sins. It believes Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Son of God. His life teachings death and resurrection reconcile humankind to God. He overcame sin and conquered death. This secures eternal salvation for all who believe. The Holy Spirit empowers the church to preach the Gospel. It helps fulfill its mission of saving and serving humankind. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It contains everything necessary for human salvation.
Currently the church has about 800000 members. These members are spread across the continental United States and 14 African countries. These include Nigeria Ghana Liberia and D R Congo.
The CME Church emerged after the Civil War. It faced the challenges of Reconstruction. Enslavement of Africans was integral to American life from 1619. By the 19th century slavery was the “Peculiar Institution.” Southern churches approved and advocated slavery. The Methodist Episcopal Church South separated in 1844 over slavery. By the Civil War’s end it had almost 100000 enslaved members. In 1866 the General Conference asked what should be done for these members.
The answer involved creating a separate organization. Isaac Lane said they preferred a separate organization. It would be established after their own ideas. Lucius Holsey wrote about giving Negroes a separate organization. James E Evans said the General Conference believed colored people would desire this. The bishops were authorized to organize their members into a separate jurisdiction.
Between 1866 and 1870 the bishops acted. In May 1870 they reported steps taken to organize a separate church. In winter 1870 former slaves gathered in Jackson. They were authorized to organize the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. The name changed to Christian Methodist in 1954. William Henry Miles and Richard H Vanderhorst were elected the first bishops.
Today the CME Church has eleven Episcopal Districts. Nine are in the US and two in Africa. Each district is led by a bishop elected by the General Conference. Several departments carry out the church’s ministries. These include Christian Education evangelism and missions. Phillips School of Theology is their theological school. It is part of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. The CME Church sponsors four liberal arts colleges. These are Lane College Paine College Miles College and Texas College. The Connectional Headquarters and publishing operations are in Memphis.
First Nevada Christian Methodist Episcopal Church located on Smoke Ranch Road continues this legacy. It serves as a beacon of faith hope and love in Las Vegas. The church invites everyone to join its community. It strives to make a positive impact. It provides a welcoming space for worship service and spiritual growth.