Visitor FAQ

DeBows UMC is located at the intersection of route 571 and route 537 (509 Monmouth Road) in Jackson, NJ 08527 (732-928-4475). You enter the church driveway from Route 537.

We are about a mile east of the Great Adventure Amusement Park on Route 537 and diagonally across the street from the Jackson Premium Outlets entrance on Route 571.

From the NJ Turnpike, take exit 7A and go east on interstate 195 to exit 16B. Go east on route 537 and DeBows UMC is about 1/4 of a mile on the right, just past the light at the intersection of route 571 & 537.

You can see a map and get Google driving directions from your location by using the below link.

There is parking on three sides of the church. Handicap parking is located in front of the church, near the ramp leading to the red front doors.

You may enter the church using any of the following three doors.

1. The double red doors in the front of the church (top of ramp/steps) lead directly into the Sanctuary. NOTE: these are the only unlocked doors during the Sunday morning worship service.
2. The double red doors in the front of the church (end of sidewalk with glass top panels) lead into the hallway between the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Turning left will lead to the Sanctuary and turning right will lead to Fellowship Hall.
3. The rear door (end of sidewalk past Pergola) will lead into the same hallway. You will pass the church office on the left. Continuing on and turning right will lead to the Sanctuary and turning left will lead to Fellowship Hall.

Once you enter through the front doors, you will be able to pick up a bulletin for the worship service in the narthex before entering the Sanctuary.

“Come As You Are” often refers to the way people are dressed and what the expected dress code is for attending a worship service. Rest assured; we welcome a wide range of attire. In any given service we see people in recreational clothes (ready to go to the Great Adventure Theme Park after the service), jeans, business casual, or suits. We are way more interested in your presence than what you are wearing.

ALSO . . .

“Come As You Are” can also refer to where you are in your spiritual journey. If you are a long-time church goer or church is a new experience for you; if you have a strong faith or have unanswered doubts; or if you are just looking for something more, you will find worship at DeBows accommodating.

SO . .  .

It is in the loving spirit of Christ we say, “Come As You Are”!

Our Sunday worship service takes place at 9 AM.

Our worship services would be considered blended/traditional and feature Scripture-based, Christ-centered sermons, supported by music from the United Methodist, The Faith We Sing, and Worship & Song Hymnals. Multimedia is used during the services to display music lyrics and liturgy.

We are recording many of our worship services and posting the videos on YouTube. You may view the DeBows YouTube channel using the link on the church website homepage.

Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. We offer an open table; all who attend are invited to receive this sacrament.

On the last Sunday of each month, we celebrate a Revival Service. This service is a little less formal, with music performed by our praise band. Come join us for this uplifting service.

You will receive a polite welcome and given an opportunity to fill out a visitor’s information card located in the pew, but you will not be singled out or asked to do anything special during the worship service. If you do fill out the visitor information card, you may place it in the offering box located in the narthex or give it directly to the Pastor if you wish. The congregation is warm and friendly, but you will be given the space you need to feel comfortable.

While established church members are encouraged to be faithful in their giving, there is no obligation or pressure for visitors to do so. It is totally at your discretion. Also note that we do not physically pass the offering plate during the worship service. Instead, we have an offering box located in the narthex. People may place their offering in this box before or after the worship service.

DeBows is committed to sharing God’s love beyond our own sanctuary to meet the needs of our neighbors. This is why we are here, as we WORSHIP, GROW, and ultimately, SERVE.

While our church supports various mission activities during the year, our flagship mission is our Food Pantry Ministry.

Serving over 100 families twice a month, the DeBows Food Pantry is open on the 2^nd and 4^th Monday each month, 5:‌‌45 to 7:‌‌45 PM. You may come anytime between 5:‌‌45 to 7:‌‌45 PM. If you have any questions, please call 848-373-8844 or email the Food Pantry Team.