Ministries

Hillsboro UPC has a diversity of ministries to meet the needs of our diverse congregation and to provide opportunities for everyone to use their God-given interests, gifts, and talents to benefit the church and others.

Our ministries reach across age groups and interests including groups for men, women, families, single adults, youth, and children. Wherever you are on your journey in life, whether you are just beginning to inquire about God or you already have a mature, spiritual relationship with Him, there is a place for you and another step you can take.

Sunday School
Director: Sis. E. Strawn

 The Hillsboro UPC is driven to teach individuals of all ages the principles in the Word of God. It is only through learning the Word of God that one becomes acquainted with the God of the Word. Our Sunday School department is very active each Sunday morning from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. We offer classes for all age groups. These classes, toddler, kindergarten, beginner, primary, pre-teen, youth, young adult, and adult, are taught by energetic teachers who are devoted to the spiritual maturation of the students. The classrooms are decorated according to the theme of the lesson. Students enjoy songs, puppets, activities, snacks, and a Bible based lesson each Sunday morning. All children and adults are welcome to come and taste of the good things that the Hillsboro Sunday school has to offer.

Student Ministry 
Student Pastor: Rev. Brandon Looney

At HUPC, we place a strong emphasis on the importance of young people. Today's Christian youth must be tomorrow's Christian leaders, both in the Church and in society. We have a vital interest in molding and grooming our kids to be the adults that God wants them to be. Our youth, [IGNITE Student Ministries] are actively involved in activities of the church, and often participate in outings, get-togethers, and worship services designed just for them.

NETT Outreach
Directors: Bro. Billy & Sis. Heather Strawn

 Our goal is to cast out our nets into this world and catch all kinds of fish for the Lord.  We want to connect humanity to the one and only Creator. In order to do this, we have several modes of outreach in our church. Primarily, “personal evangelism” is the goal of each church member. Each person is continually seeking for those who need God in their lives. We also have organized ‘canvassing’ days in which we invited people to events and special services.  The other methods of outreach are bus ministry, Bible studies, our website, newsletters, and visitor follow-up. Our goal is follow-up on every visitor letting them know how our church can be a blessing to their lives.

Website
Webmaster: Rev. Brandon Looney

The purpose of our website is to provide information about Hillsboro UPC. The site contains a calendar of events, e-mail addresses, and any pertinent information about the ministries of the church. We welcome any feedback you may have concerning the website.

Newsletter
Director: Sis. Amber Villarreal

The church newsletter is published monthly with articles written by members of our church as well as articles that have inspired members of our church.    The newsletter is designed to encourage and inspire everyone that reads it.  It is also a great way to educate people in Christian Living.  This can also be shared with other people outside our church as an encourager and a witnessing tool.  All have testimonies, thoughts, and events that prove to be uplifting to the body of Christ.

Bible Quizzing
Director: Sis. E. Strawn

 The Bible quiz ministry is very active in the Hillsboro UPC. It is a 7 month ministry in which young people memorize several hundred verses of selected scripture each year. They then attend quiz tournaments and compete with other young people from around the nation. If they win their state finals, they are granted the privilege to quiz at the national tournament in the Summer. Bible quizzing is fun, and it equips young people to be effective in the work of God. Some benefits of Bible quizzing include:

1.     Personal discipline in study habits
2.     Time management
3.     Exercising of memory skills
4.     Development of team skills
5.     Travel opportunities
6.     Character development
7.     Improved academics
8.     Teen fellowship

The young people involved will memorize the Basic Bible doctrine during 2012.     We have junior quizzers and senior quizzers in our church. Our junior quizzers who must be under 12 years of age are: Chris Villarreal, Andrew Villarreal, Mekaiylah Webb, Jessica Webb, Kimberly Webb, Treylan Lewis, James Lewis.  Our senior quizzers who must be between the ages of 12-18 are: Ashley Wilkins, Faith Strawn, Wesley Strawn, and Jessa Williamson

Knowing the Word of God makes one free from the bondages of this life to experience real liberty in Jesus Christ. Our prayer is that every young person would hide the Word in his heart so that he would not sin against God.

Hands of Praise
Directors: Bro. Ray & Sis. Kathy Baughman

 All are welcome to join the signing team as they worship the Lord while signing to gospel music. This ministry really evokes worship and allows an opportunity for the deaf to enjoy the songs of the church.

Music Ministry
Director: Sis. Kaylynn Strawn

Music is  a vital part of Pentecostal service. At Hillsboro UPC it goes beyond mere words set to beautiful chords, but it enters into a realm where one communicates with God, lifting Him up an exalting His name. We believe in doing just as the Bible instructs..”Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with the stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise Ye the Lord.” (Psalms 150:3-6) 
        
Our pastor’s wife has led the music of the church from the time that she was a teen-ager. She attended the music school of Jackson College of ministries in 1986, and she has taught music in the Hillsboro and Bynum schools. There are many styles of music in our church ranging from contemporary to traditional. All enjoy the choir, special songs, and praise singers. It is always exciting! We invite you to come join us in lifting up Jesus as He inhabits the praises of His people. 

Everyone involved in music at Hillboro UPC – the Music Director, musicians, soloists, praise singers, hands-of-praise, children, and the  choir – understand that anointed singing and music are an essential part of apostolic praise and worship.  

Therefore, the goal of the music ministry is to: 
1) create an atmosphere of praise and worship that ushers in the presence of the Lord; 
2) foster a spirit of unity wherein people are comfortable praising the Lord;
3) prepare hearts for the preached word of God so that souls can commune with their creator.

"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him” (Exodus 15:1-2).

 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD” (Zechariah 2:10)

“I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15).                                

“I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” (Hebrews 2:12)

New Converts
Teacher: Sis. Kaylynn Strawn

 All new converts are invited to  a Sunday morning class in which Sis. Strawn teaches systematic Bible studies. New converts are also given a prayer partner and offered additional Bible studies. 

Children's Power Hour
Leaders: Sis. E. Strawn, Bro. John & Cynthia Springsteen, Sis. Heater Strawn

From 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. on Wed. the children of Hillsboro UPC enjoy a power hour..They entered a highly decorated “children’s room” with workers who are dressed to fit the curriculum. The characters of the Bible come to life for these kids as the principles of scripture begin to apply to their lives. For the months of Feb, March, and April the curriculum is entitled “Search and Rescue”. The theme of the lessons will be seeking and searching for those in need of the Lord.  The attention of the children will be held while power hour workers dressed as  firemen and policemen do just that.  The children will present a Christmas drama on December 11, 2011.

Kid's Praise
Leader: Sis. Faith Strawn

 The children want to be early for Sunday School because “Kid’s Praise” begins at 9:30. The children enjoy singing together during this time. It is a great way to start a Sunday morning.

Usher Ministry
Leader: Bro. Ray Duncan

 Our church desires to be known as the most friendly church in town. We make a concentrated effort to have a team of people to greet each visitor. Bro. Ray Duncan assigns greeters and ushers their places so that they can fulfill the purpose of making all visitors feel comfortable and informed concerning the church.

Maintenance

Kenneth Murrell, and Loyd Strawn do a great job with the outside upkeep of the church. We are always making renovations and improvements in order to better serve the ministries of the church.

Church Cleaning Groups

Millie Thompson  and Judy Williams are the leaders of all cleaning groups. There are 4 groups(one for each month), and these groups also have leaders who make sure that the church is clean and prepared for church on Sunday. This is a big responsibility, but the people do a great job; and the church is always presentable.

Prayer Ministry
Leader: Sis. Kaylynn Strawn

 Prayer is the life-line of Hillsboro UPC. Jesus said  “men ought always to pray and faint not”.  We have children’s prayer, youth prayer, and adult prayer. Our pastor’s wife, Sis. Strawn, encourages all members to become involved in a targeted prayer group. These groups are to meet periodically to pray for a particular area of ministry. The WOW Prayer force meets 30 minutes prior to each service. Sis. Strawn usually shares a small devotional, prayer is made for special needs and for that particular service. We encourage all to attend WOW prayer force.

Bookstore
Director: Sis. Sherry Cook

The purpose of the Hillsboro UPC bookstore is to provide Christian literature for the growth of all members of the church. There are books, Bibles, and pamphlets in the mini-bookstore available for people in every strata of spiritual development.

Drama Ministry
Director: Sis. E. Strawn

Traditionally, the Hillsboro UPC does 2 annual dramas--one at Easter, and the other at Christmas. These prove to be highlights of the year. They usually involve about 40-50 church members, and the town is invited to feel the presence of the Lord during these drama events.