Constructing an activities building including classrooms, a kitchen and gathering space for members has long been a goal for Webster Chapel United Methodist Church in Victoria. With a lack of direction and a few false starts to weigh the project down, it didn’t look like the goal would be achievable for this 160-member congregation until they heard about the Texas Methodist Foundation’s “Building Disciples” stewardship program.

“What really made the decision for us was meeting with Wesley United Methodist Church in Austin and learning about what they had done through a Foundation-led campaign,” said the Rev. Sharon Stewart, Webster Chapel’s Senior Pastor. “Hearing about their prior achievements generated some energy I hadn’t seen here before.”

Webster Chapel’s Stewardship Consultant, Ed Engleking, stepped in to provide the congregation with all the materials required to get a booming campaign under way. But Stewart realized early on that part of Engleking’s mission was to allow her congregation to “take ownership” of the project.

“Ed was always available to us and he provided the direction we needed,” Stewart said. “The way he made us feel like we were building on our own ideas was all part of the plan, and it worked!”

Ultimately, Webster Chapel raised $161,000, or two times their annual budget, toward the dream of expanding their historic facility. During the process, Stewart felt that a prayer-based campaign was important in appealing to her members for financial support.

“By putting the results in the hands of God and letting him guide our members in how much to give, we knew that we weren’t going to fail.” – Spring, 2003

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