Welcome to Good Shepherd UMC!
When you come to Good Shepherd expect to find people who are genuinely glad to see you. We are a church for ALL and we will meet you where you are at.

Do you want to come in quietly and leave without talking to anyone? We have a seat for you!

Do you want to jump in to ALL the things? We have a seat for you!

Do you have noisy kids who like to be busy? We have a seat for you AND them in the sanctuary OR the nursery.

Bring it all with you Sunday and you will find a people who are welcoming and accepting. 

Foundation
Mission, Vision and Values

At our core, we’re a community built on love—the kind of love Christ showed us and calls us to share. This is our mission: to be a community where all can experience and share Christ’s love. Simple, real, and life-changing.

We envision ourselves as a beacon of Christ's love and grace—offering hope through invitation, inspirational relationships and effective partnerships. 

We’re guided by foundational values that shape everything we do:

  • Faith – Faith in God anchors us and gives life to our ministries. (Mathew 17: 20-21; 21:21)
  • Fellowship – We believe we’re better together. Loving and supporting each other is at the heart of who we are. (Psalm 133; 1 Corinthians 13).
  • Diversity – God made us all unique, and we embrace our differences. (John 3:16; Acts 2:1–11; Galatians 3:28).
  • Discipleship – We’re always learning, growing, and helping each other follow Jesus more closely. (Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 4:12–13).
  • Servanthood – We show our faith through action—by showing up, helping out, and serving others with love. (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45).

This is who we are. This is what we’re about. And if you’re looking for a community that walks in love, lives with purpose, and shines a light in the world—we’d love to meet you.

Affirmation of Faith
Used in the earliest days of Good Shepherd

We believe that God is the power of ongoing creativity; that God created the world and is creating the world. 

We believe that God’s Spirit of creativity and love is in us calling us to be co-creators with Him.

We believe that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man, God’s love present amongst us—our fullest example of power and reconciliation.

We believe that the church of Jesus Christ is people, wherever they find themselves, in service of love to others.

We believe that God is calling the church of Good Shepherd to one purpose, one integrated whole, an all inclusive fellowship. 

We believe that this purpose is the proclaiming of Good News to modern man- through our words, our songs, our lives.

We believe that we are called to be light to the world, salt to the earth, and God’s love to our neighbor. 

Our Story
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church has been part of the Dale City community since 1966, when Rev. Benjamin Pratt helped plant a new kind of church—one that would reflect the area’s growing diversity and intentionally bring people together. From day one, we have been a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community.
We started worshiping in local schools, and early on, we were doing things a little differently—like gathering “in the round,” as a symbol of unity and connection. Our church family quickly became known for putting faith into action: visiting prisons, supporting neighbors in need, and speaking out about justice and inclusion.
Over the years, we’ve continued to grow and serve in bold, compassionate ways. We’ve welcomed pastors who reflect the community, opened our doors to other congregations, and built partnerships with local schools, food pantries, and service organizations. From reading at local schools to a variety of feeding ministries to community events, we’re always looking for new ways to love our neighbors.
Through it all, one thing has remained constant: we are a church for ALL God’s children—rooted in grace, shaped by diversity, and committed to being a beacon of Christ’s love in the world.