MEET OUR STEWARDSHIP CONSULTANTS
One of our greatest assets is our talented staff. Our stewardship consultants possess a strong background in church leadership and a deep commitment to helping United Methodist individuals and churches secure resources for ministry through a wealth of experience. Contact them through email or by calling toll free 1-800-933-5502.
Melvin Amerson - Stewardship Consultant
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The Rev. Melvin Amerson brings a wealth of knowledge gleaned as a United Methodist pastor and an active participant in the Texas Annual Conference to his work as a stewardship consultant for the Texas Methodist Foundation. His experience allows him to adeptly guide churches throughout the state as they grow a culture of giving in their congregations.
Amerson is the author of Stewardship in African-American Churches published by Discipleship Resources. He is currently working on a new book on stewardship which will be available in early 2008. Amerson has led numerous training events around the country, including a stewardship workshop at Bishop’s Week. He was a member of the design team as well as a presenter for Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology Minister’s Week in 2007.
While serving as pastor of St. Lo United Methodist Church (now Norris Chapel UMC) in Houston, he was honored with the Small Membership Church Pastor of the Year Award for his leadership in increasing membership and the development of exemplary social programs benefiting the surrounding community. Amerson currently serves as chair of the Division of Stewardship of the Texas Annual Conference and on the board of directors of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Texas in Austin. As an Ordained Elder, he served on the Evangelism Committee as District Chairperson, on the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the District Council on Ministry. Prior to becoming a minister, Amerson worked in the banking industry and as a tax examiner for the federal government.
Amerson obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and a Master of Divinity degree concentrating in Christian education from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.
Richard Caperton - Stewardship Consultant
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Richard Caperton joined the Texas Methodist Foundation with 20 years of local church ministry experience and 17 years as a stewardship consultant. Richard honed strategic planning and analytic skills as he aided congregations to design and achieve long term growth. In addition to vision casting, Richard guided several capital campaigns for the purpose of property acquisition, facilities development, and ministry expansion.
Richard’s passion is to assist churches in reaching their ministry potential. He has led more than 120 successful capital programs, generating in excess of $600 million for local ministry. His personable approach and motivational style make him an effective consultant in a multitude of traditions and ministry styles. Richard helped the Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois raise in excess of $80 million. He has provided leadership in capital programs for some of United Methodist’s fastest growing churches, such as the Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas where he has led four different capital programs.
The combination of his keen analytical skills and charismatic personality make Richard a sought after consultant and speaker.
Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Louisiana College, Pineville, Louisiana and a Masters degree from the Southwestern Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Churches regularly invite Richard to speak on the subject of church growth and stewardship. As a pastor and leader, Richard knows first hand the intricacies of capital stewardship programming from the church’s perspective. Richard’s viewpoint and pastoral experience are invaluable in his work as a stewardship consultant.
A resident of Dallas, Richard and his wife Judy have two grown children and four grandchildren.
Ed Engleking - Senior Executive Consultant
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Ed Engleking's ten-year ministry with the Foundation has earned him the respect of his colleagues and the churches he has served. He has conducted over 68 capital campaigns raising more than $35 million, with several exceeding one million dollars, and a commendable average of two times annual income in pledge total.
Engleking was instrumental in the development of the Building Disciples capital campaign service for small churches. He creatively participated in the development of the Foundation’s annual and year-round giving workshop, particularly in the use of the narrative budget. Ed is an experienced trainer for Good $ense, the Willow Creek Association’s personal Christian finance program. In stewardship ministry, Ed helps churches visualize the possibilities that can be achieved through stewardship education and then discover creative and effective ways in growing faithful givers.
A prior business career equipped Engleking with skills in negotiation, personnel administration, operations and financial management/analysis. His work with the Foundation has enhanced in his life with a passion for ministry and the spirit of servanthood. As a layperson, his local church recognized his “gifts and graces” with leadership roles in Stewardship, Finance, Staff-Parish Relations, Administrative Board, Worship Committee, Youth Ministry, Stephen Ministry and Walk to Emmaus.
Engleking received a B.A. from Northwestern Oklahoma State University with graduate studies at Kansas State. He is a member of the Christian Stewardship Association and the Willow Creek Association.
Dick Young - Stewardship Consultant
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More than 30 years of combined experience in business and lay leadership make Dick Young a valuable advisor to United Methodist churches. He possesses the ability and knowledge to help congregations identify their funding needs and design stewardship strategies to fulfill their missions.
Young’s career in the private sector as a business owner equipped him with skills in financial management, operations, personnel administration and negotiation. As a layperson, he served as chair of the finance, property and building committees at First United Methodist Church in Austin, where he has been a member for more than 30 years. Young served as the church’s stewardship director for their 1999 capital campaign in which $2.2 million was raised.
Young views his work with the Texas Methodist Foundation as an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives by promoting the greater good of the denomination and advancing Christian ministry. He believes sacrificial giving strengthens churches and provides an opportunity for individuals to examine their personal faith journeys.
Young earned his Master of Business Administration from Texas State University in San Marcos and his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University. He was the lay director for Walk to Emmaus 537. He is also active in the Christian Stewardship Association. He served as the Cubmaster for his son’s Cub Scout Pack and is now an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 259.
