St. Charles United Methodist Church sits on Ormond Boulevard in Destrehan, Louisiana, where the congregation has built its identity around a simple motto: Real People, Real Love, Real Change. The mission statement names it plainly: to be Real People sharing Real Love to bring Real Change by God's grace. That phrase shows up in worship, in the Life Groups that meet around the parish, and in a Wednesday morning drive-thru that hands out groceries to neighbors in St. Charles Parish.
Sunday Worship: Contemporary and Traditional Side by Side
The weekly rhythm at SCUMC centers on Sunday morning at 10 AM, when a contemporary service fills the room with a band, favorite Christian radio hits, modernized hymns, and originals written by members of the church. Spirit-filled congregational prayer and biblical preaching are woven through the gathering, and the invitation is direct: come as you are.
On the first Sunday of each month at 8 AM, the tone shifts to a more traditional service that draws from the United Methodist Hymnal and includes Holy Communion. The 10 AM service is livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube each week, and recent sermon recordings are kept in a worship archive that stretches back several years of series.
Life Groups: Root, Renew, Reach
Small groups are how SCUMC describes its pathway of discipleship, organized into three movements. Root groups are anchored in Scripture study and a hunger for a deeper spiritual foundation. Renew groups focus on soul care, healing, and spiritual formation, offering a place to rest rather than a therapy session. Reach groups turn the gaze outward, building friendships while serving others. Current groups carry names like Origins (a 12-week Old Testament study led by Pastor Michelle), Joyful Word, After the Amen, Sunday Morning Gumbo, Iron Men, Zooming in the Bible, Inner Insight, Soul Space, Craft Connect, Faith Keepers, Open Table, Wings, and United Methodist Men. A self-study option is available for those whose schedules will not allow a regular group.
Next Gen: Kids, Youth, and Imagination Camp
Children and students are a steady focus at SCUMC. On Sunday mornings from 9:30 AM to noon, a staffed nursery cares for infants through Pre-K 3, while Kids' Church welcomes Pre-K 4 through 4th grade. Sunday nights from 5 to 7 PM bring Adventure Club for Pre-K through 4th grade (September through April) and Youth Group for 5th through 12th grade, with dinner, games, serve projects, and small groups built into the evening.
A Youth Band led by Stephen Brashear meets monthly at 4 PM and gives students a place to grow as worship leaders. Over the summer, Imagination Camp takes over the church for children ages 3 to 7. Directed by Family Ministry Director Shawntelle Logan, the camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM, in themed weeks with no more than eight campers per leader and a $180 weekly fee. The church keeps a Safe Sanctuaries policy in place, and volunteers serving with children and youth complete SCUMC Safe Sanctuary requirements before they start.
Matthew 25:35 and the Local Mission
The church's most visible community work runs under the name Matthew 25:35 Ministry, focused on alleviating hunger in St. Charles Parish through food distribution, education, and resource connections. Every Wednesday from 8:30 to 11 AM, the parking lot becomes a drive-thru distribution where neighbors can pick up groceries without leaving their cars. A companion effort, Proverbs 14:31 Ministry, collects ongoing donations of non-perishable food, clothing, and hygiene items ranging from tuna and crackers to socks, flashlights, and refillable water bottles.
Global Partners and Beyond the Walls
SCUMC maintains long-standing partnerships beyond Louisiana, supporting Hope International Ministries in Cameroon, Ethiopian missionaries Kay and John McNally, Mexico missionary Willie Berman, and sister church Park Temple Church in Cuba. The vision statement captures the reach: reaching beyond our limits, beyond our walls, and beyond our time.
What the Church Believes and How to Belong
SCUMC holds to a set of values that shape daily life together: authentic relationships, servant leadership, embracing all, transforming hearts, compassionate service, and courageous innovation. Its stated spiritual growth strategy ties worship, small groups and study, and service into a single rhythm that, in the church's words, leads people to know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference.
Those who wish to formalize their connection become members by committing to support the church through Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Talents, and Witness. The church also makes RightNow Media available to its members for additional Bible and study content.
Visiting and Staying Connected
The church office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM, with Monday and Friday available by appointment. The phone number is (985) 764-8292, the text line is (985) 261-2292, and the email is office@stcharlesumc.com. A connect card, prayer request form, and a way to schedule an appointment with Pastor Michelle are all available online for newcomers and long-time members alike. Giving can be done online, by mail to the PO Box, or in person through the lockbox to the left of the outside door at the church.