About St. Peters UMC
Mission:
As United Methodists, we believe serving others draws us closer to God. Through acts of love, compassion, justice, and grace, we share the love of Jesus Christ by caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, supporting the hurting, and serving our community with faith in action.
Vision:
The United Methodist Church in Saylorsburg is a loving and caring church family, united in Christ, sharing hope, compassion, and the love of Jesus through prayer, service, and action in our community and beyond.
About the Pastor:
Rev. Elisandra “Pastor Eli” Garcia brings 16 years of pastoral ministry experience within the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is currently serving as the pastor of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in the foothills of the Poconos.
Throughout her ministry, Pastor Eli has served multicultural, multi-generational, and growing congregations across Pennsylvania, including churches in Philadelphia, Reading, Summit Hill, and Coaldale. She is passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and building churches rooted in love, compassion, discipleship, and community outreach.
Pastor Eli has a strong background in youth and young adult ministry, church leadership, biblical counseling, and community engagement. She has also spoken at women’s, youth, and young adult conferences throughout the country.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Multi-Disciplinary Studies with a specialization in Biblical Counseling from Liberty University and a Master of Divinity from Moravian Theological Seminary.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pastor Eli enjoys music, sports, reading, traveling, and encouraging others in faith and life. A former athlete, she remains active in the basketball community and currently serves as a volunteer youth basketball coach in the Lehigh Valley, mentoring young athletes both on and off the court. Her passion for ministry and community reflects her heart for bringing people together through faith, compassion, teamwork, and service. Pastor Eli’s vision is to create a welcoming church where people of all ages and backgrounds can grow together as the body of Christ.
About Us
At St Peter’s , we are rooted in the rich heritage of Wesleyan theology and revival. Our passion is to make and equip disciples who are empowered to live out the Great Commission. We are a presence-driven ministry devoted to seeking God wholeheartedly, creating a place where lives are transformed and encounters with Jesus are welcomed, expected, and experienced.
What We Believe:
The Trinity
We believe in one God who exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
Salvation by Grace through Faith
We believe that salvation is a gift from God and is not earned through our own efforts. It is received through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The Bible as God's Word
We believe that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, containing all that is necessary for faith and practice.
The Incarnation
We believe in the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, who became incarnate to reconcile humanity to God.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to believers for the edification of the Church and the advancement of God’s kingdom.
The Atonement
We believe that Jesus’ death on the cross atoned for the sins of humanity, making forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible.
Resurrection and Eternal Life
We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in the promise of eternal life for all who trust in Him.
Human Sexuality
We believe that human sexuality is a sacred gift from God, designed to be expressed within the confines of a committed marital relationship between one man and one woman.
The Great Commission
We are commissioned to share the message of Christ’s love and salvation with the world, making disciples of all nations.
Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the glorious Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Second Coming of Christ will be a visible, bodily return. He will come with power and great glory, as described in Matthew 24:30.