As a fast-growing church community in Central Texas, First United Methodist Church of Round Rock never runs short of ways to use the yearly gift from the Bowers Fund. Often challenge funds are raised in response to the Bowers gift to make it go even further.

“Over the years the Administrative Board has been free to choose a variety of programs, ministries and missions. In fact, one year ten children’s classrooms were updated to reflect first century Jerusalem through volunteer labor, our Bowers Fund gift and money raised by a challenge to the gift,” said the Rev. David Adkins, senior pastor.

Adkins notes that Bowers Fund gifts have also re-roofed parsonages, landscaped parking areas, and purchased phone and video production equipment. A portion of the gift was used one year to support the church’s partnership with a mission project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recently, the gift was used to underwrite the cost of altar furnishings for the congregation’s newly constructed sanctuary.

“Unrestricted gifts like these provide congregations with much more flexibility in ministry and financial planning. Without them, this congregation would not be able to continue its fast-paced growth and responsive ministry in the community,” Adkins added.

First UMC Round Rock is thankful for the determination of the Bowers brothers to continue ministry by establishing an endowment fund, and takes seriously the trust to carry out their intentions in the name of Jesus Christ.

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