Sitting in the living room of a rented Dallas house, 55 years ago, the founding members of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church had no idea that their small congregation would someday exceed 5,000 members.  Nor could they have imagined that in 1999 the Church would raise $13.2 million in one of the largest capital campaigns in United Methodist history.

“We were always amazed at the growth,” said Dee Shipp McAdams, whose late husband Tom Shipp was the Church’s first pastor.

Despite its size, Lovers Lane faces some familiar challenges: raising money for ministry and facilities.  Their campaign – titled “Forward in Faith 2000” – emphasized the need to attract young families and provide youth ministries.  The Church will use the money to expand and renovate facilities.

Texas Methodist Foundation’s James Varner, who consulted on the project, complimented the church on its outstanding accomplishment. “Effectively conveying the campaign’s objectives and actively involving the congregation were two of the reasons for the Church’s success.”

“Communication is a key element,” said Judy Gibbs, co-director of the Campaign’s Leadership Commitment Team. “You have to be sure that the word gets out so that everyone knows what you’re trying to do.”

The word first spread through a call to prayer, and then later when volunteers went door-to-door, hand delivering mugs depicting the campaign logo. The campaign’s vision was shared through a video at home gatherings.

“People recognized that we couldn’t grow our family and youth ministries if we didn’t have the facilities to put them in,” says Sandra Estess, who co-chaired the campaign with her husband Henry and Chuck and Beth Thoele.

Dr. Stan Copeland, pastor, said the campaign has caused a great deal of excitement about the Church's future. He stressed that the effort would not have been successful if each member had not participated.

“We told the congregation that no gifts are too small and none are too large,” Copeland said. “Every single gift is important.”

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