Address: 2100 Highway 150
Floyds Knobs, Indiana 47119
Phone: 812.944.2570
Email: wesley@wesleychapel.org
O U R C H U R C H
We are a church family rooted in Christ and growing in grace.
At Wesley Chapel, it is our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We do this by focusing on four areas: Worship, Faith Development, Serving, and Generosity. We live together as people of faith to grow as disciples in each of these four areas.
W H A T W E D O
Our Mission
Serve the Church
When we serve we are being like Jesus. Jesus calls us to serve within our faith community so that we can grow in our faith and be equipped to go into the world to share the love of God with all people. The primary areas of Serve Here are Hospitality and Food Service. Serving at Wesley Chapel also includes other ministry areas such as Worship, Faith Development, and Facility Team just to name a few. There are always opportunities to serve and we would love to have you connected to Wesley Chapel through service.
Serve the City
We believe serving those around us is central to growing in our relationship with God. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we serve our local communities in Southern Indiana.
Serve the World
We are a church on mission to go into the world and share the hope of Jesus. Through local and global ministry partnerships, we are working diligently to be the hands and feet of God.
New Here?
Join us for worship on Sundays at 8:30 am or 11:00 am. Our campus is located in the heart of Floyd County, Indiana. No matter who you are, or where you’ve been, we welcome you with open arms.
M I S S I O N
We are traveling this journey of faith together, developing the character of Jesus within, and sharing the love of God with our community.
Tony Alstott
Lead Pastor
L E A D E R S H I P
Our Team
Tony Alstott
Lead Pastor
Cory Feuerbacher
Director of Worship +
Director of 20s/30s Ministry
Becky Perkins
Director of Faith
Peter Williams
Associate Pastor
In charge of Youth and Mission
C H U R C H M E D I A
Latest Sermon Series
06
Apr '21
Up From the Grave
06
Apr '21
Dan and Julie Risinger
On March 15, 2020, Dan was the first post office worker in the United States to be diagnosed with Covid19. Dan describes his journey with Covid19 that led him to the hospital and to the Intensive Care Unit. When he left the hospital he felt like he came out of the grave.
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15
Jan '20
Cue the Eagle
15
Jan '20
“Run to the roar means facing my pain and fears and trusting God to help me with those fears. As a part of that, I wanted to deepen my relationship with God, and in return He provided me with strength. I ask God for strength many days and he gives it to me along with hope of eternal life.”
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15
Jan '20
Three Generations Impacted
15
Jan '20
“In my early 20’s I was going through rough times. I was trying to figure out what to do to better myself and get back on track to get out of the rut I was in. I asked my mother if she would be interested in trying out Wesley Chapel, and we went that next Sunday and the rest is history. We fell in love with the church from that point on. I loved the church, and the feeling of family was important to us. We got that feeling from the beginning.”
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W E S L E Y C H A P E L B L O G
Recent Articles
16
Sep '21
Onesimus
16
Sep '21
Written by Joyce Knight
In his letter to Philemon, Paul asked Philemon, a Christian slave master, to kindly restore, or even release, a recently converted runaway slave. Onesimus had been tending to the needs of Paul while he was in prison in Rome. During that time, Paul introduced Onesimus to the Lord and Onesimus had a life changing experience. The essence of the letter is that forgiveness is vital for this fellow believer who is now on an equal stance as a true follower of Christ.
Take a journey with Onesimus, who was a former runaway slave under the ownership of Philemon. Onesimus, under God’s providence, is introduced to Paul and is empowered by his spirit and devotion to Jesus Christ. He is then led to the Lord through Paul and becomes a devout believer. He recognizes the fact that he needs to justify having run away from Philemon, who is a church leader in the town of Colossae. Onesimus became vital in Paul’s life while he was imprisoned, assisting in his needs and giving greatly needed companionship. As much as Paul mourns the thought of having him leave, they agree that Onesimus needs to make things right with his master, Philemon. Paul, in his letter, urges Philemon to show forgiveness and compassion to this new believer. He left as a runaway slave but returns to him as a fellow brother in the Christian faith.
At any given time, we can be either Philemon, Paul, or Onesimus. We could be a Philemon, someone who has been hurt by somebody. Someone who has to understand that denying the ability to forgive, is denying that the love of Christ has been made manifest in their heart. We need to consider that it might be time for a heart assessment to see if there is someone out there that we may have to forgive.
There are some people who are like Paul. People that call themselves Christians. They are willing to stand in the gap to help people get together. So maybe if you’re a Paul and you know people that are in some sort of disagreement, you can intercede and encourage reconciliation.
You could be Onesimus. Someone who knows that they have said or done something wrong and needs to humble themselves, go to that person, and seek reconciliation. We all have been an Onesimus. We all have been to a place where we understand that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have been able to receive the grace of God. So now we need to be able to take the grace that has been given to us and freely give it to others.
Philemon is asked to prove his love for the Lord by his actions After all of those words of love and encouragement, it would be hard to say no to anything Paul would ask for, but Paul continues to prepare him for the request. What a blessing when someone like Paul finds you profitable, but even greater is it if the Lord finds us profitable. Paul wants a clean conscience for himself and Onesimus. He wanted Philemon to have forgiveness in his heart and he wanted his decision to come from a willing mind and not to feel coerced into it. He is pleading a case for forgiveness. Yes, he had run away and had been unprofitable for a time. However, he will be profitable forever as a servant of Christ. The status has changed for Onesimus because now Philemon is to see him as more than just a slave or servant, but as a brother in Christ.
Wouldn’t it be great to have people around you that have the same confidence in your obedience that Paul has for Philemon? They do not just perform their duty, but they do it out of love for the Lord
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09
Sep '21
A Call to Action
09
Sep '21
Written by Ahnya Evinger
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
When I look at James 2:14-19, I consider all of the Christians I have encountered in name only, the self-proclaimed Christ followers whose actions don’t align with their words. The promises of prayer without the hands and feet of Jesus. But the reality is that to someone else, the hypocrite that comes to mind might be me.
When our actions do not align with our words that Christ is our Lord and Savior, we hurt others. We may even become a hindrance in their faith journey to discover who Jesus truly is. Becoming a Christ follower is not standing on the beach with our toes dipped in the water; it is diving into an ocean of love with trust. When we commit to discipleship, we submit ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. That’s the greatest testimony others often see.
I married a man who grew up in a church, but all he saw as an impressionable youth were people whose actions did not align with the scriptures being preached. He acknowledged that faith in God is great for some people, but he did not want to be a part of a church. He did not stop me from attending, but he was not going to prioritize going with me. He committed to attending church once or twice a year, on holidays, to support my family.
Then, our home flooded. The Ohio River swallowed our first floor, and we did not know where to even begin. That is when Jesus showed up. Through the members of this congregation, my husband met Jesus. A dozen or so people from church arrived at our home on the first day the waters receded, taking a boat to reach us. They told us they were thinking about us and would pray for us. But they backed those words up with action. They began working alongside us to gut out our home. That natural disaster was catastrophic to my physical home, but it was transformational to my spiritual home. Because this congregation answered the call to action to show their faith in Jesus with their deeds, my husband’s faith has been renewed. He attends church every week, even when I am out of town. He shows up to a hospital to sit with family while their loved one is in surgery. He serves others because through others’ service, Jesus showed up in his life.
Our words and actions when misaligned have the power to drive people away, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us and align our actions and words with the heart of Jesus, people discover Jesus on a new, personal level. Will you answer the call to action to submit yourself to the transformational power of the Holy Spirit and follow Jesus with your words and actions?
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02
Sep '21
Accepting the Invitation
02
Sep '21
Written by Bonita Cadle
Read Luke 14 16:24. Jesus tells a parable of a man who gave a great banquet, but most of the people he invited refused his invitation. They made excuse after excuse as to why they couldn’t come. Have you ever made an excuse as to why you couldn’t RSVP “yes” to an invitation? Is it obvious to you why Jesus tells this story?
In October of 2014, if you would have asked me what Jesus was referring to in this parable, I would not have had a clue. I was not a Christian then, and had not attended church since my sons were very young. We were too busy living the dream: travelling, sports, and making that money. We had many excuses and reasons why we couldn’t attend church, many.
Well, in November of 2014 some dear friends talked me into attending a weekend Christian retreat with them called The Great Banquet. I was very reluctant, nervous, and didn’t want to go, but I didn’t want to disappoint my friends either. I did not want to be stuck in a church at some Holy Roller, kumbaya thing for three days and three nights! I had more important things to do, or so I thought.
You see, I had received numerous other invitations to sit at the table with the Lord, but I had so many excuses as to why I couldn’t (or wouldn’t). Because of my many “No” RSVPs I was now on the poor, crippled, blind and lame list. My friends were the master’s servants. I hadn’t listened to the Lord’s many callings; my life was too busy and noisy. My friends knew that I needed help and they themselves had to drag me to this retreat. Why are we so “pig-headed” sometimes?
During this banquet, my mind got very quiet, my walls started coming down, my heart softened, and the noise of the outside seemed to disappear. I was able to really hear what the ladies were talking about at this banquet. I was able to introspect and think about my life and my relationship, in this case a lack of, with God. It can be so hard to just be quiet and spend time with God in today’s world.
I realized three huge things (actually more) during this weekend. First, I needed a relationship with Jesus to survive this life. When my mother (my best friend) died in 1995 I was broken. In spite of having friends, a wonderful husband, and two amazing sons, I had a nervous breakdown. I was not equipped to handle that crisis.
Secondly, I needed a church family and friends. I also needed to be surrounded by the body of Christ in order to survive this life. The Godly women who became my friends that weekend and the friends I have made through Wesley Chapel have made a HUGE difference in my life.
And thirdly, I need to be able to see the Godly light of Jesus in people around me, and I need to be a light for them in their times of need. I would have NEVER thought I could be a light for others! Me?
Three months after my Great Banquet weekend my father had a stroke. It was a scary, trying, and exhausting situation that continued until he died on October 25, 2019. But you know what? The most amazing thing happened. I was able to be a light for him in his darkness. He confessed his belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized before he died at the age of 80. He became a member of Wesley Chapel and is now with my mom in heaven. Amen!!!
On February 27, 2021 I lost my sweet husband Cliff to Covid-19. While I still struggle at times, I know without a doubt that my life also would have ended shortly after his if it were not for my relationship with Jesus and my Godly friends.
We all have a story, but I want you to hear me clearly and understand, if I hadn’t finally sat at the table with the Lord, I would still be a mess or not be writing this at all and my father would not have made it to heaven. Isn’t that amazing?
If you have not accepted your invitation to the Lord’s banquet please RSVP ASAP. Or if you know someone who’s struggling, invite him or her to the table with you. Be the light they need to see.
God Bless.
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Pastor Tony recommends reading:
A Firm Foundation
What does the future hold for The United Methodist Church? It is the question being asked all around our denomination. What should be the response to the competing visions and notable division within contemporary Methodism in North America? Can we explore the issues confronting us in a post-Christendom era without rupturing our relationships?
This carefully curated volume engages the deep heart questions of United Methodists and casts a compelling vision by trustworthy voices for dynamic faith. Contributors explore the power of classic ideas such as:
The Lordship of Jesus Christ Engaging scripture meaningfully The power of the Holy Spirit The promise of sanctification Living with undivided purpose Fostering dynamic discipleship The gift of the global church
This resource is a useful tool not only in navigating present challenges but in pursuing the future promise for the people called Methodists. The foundational principles that have guided Methodist thought from the beginning of John Wesley’s countercultural movement remain rich resources as we explore what it means to remain faithful disciples in the tradition of the Wesleys.
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