When First United Methodist Church in Temple created a list of projects to fund through a capital stewardship campaign, they included a contribution to a local ministry among their goals to reduce debt and install an elevator.

"I think it's selfish of us to spend money on ourselves and not others," says Rev. B.C. Dugger, the church's pastor. "It's important that we realize we are always in mission and that we're put here to help others."

The church pledged $25,000 of the $1.2 million it raised to Churches Touching Lives for Christ (CTLC), a community pantry and clothing bank started in 1994 by a group of Baptist and United Methodist churches. The mission also provides assistance with rent and utility payments.

First UMC in Temple worked closely with a stewardship services consultant at the Texas Methodist Foundation during their campaign.  "The greatest benefit to setting aside money for outreach ministry is it helps the congregation look beyond itself," says James Varner, the Foundation's Vice President of Stewardship Services.

Each month, about 400 families seek assistance at the ministry's building, where volunteers, representing a cross section of denominations, dispense food, clothing and neighborly love.

The money from First United Methodist Church assisted the ministry in purchasing a vacant supermarket in a low-income area, where they can store more food and clothing, and accommodate more people. Cynthia Russell, CTLC's director, says the mission survives soley on contributions from the community and surrounding areas.

"It's all we live on," Russell says. "It's all volunteers. It's all donations."

Fill out our Online Response Card to request more information on stewardship services offered through the Texas Methodist Foundation.