Services for Churches - Stewardship
Transformation through Diversity
A bright, welcoming Children’s Ministry Building now sits just across from the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church Victoria near bustling businesses, a picturesque historic district and, just a few blocks away, neighbors facing some harsh challenges. Through two capital campaigns and follow-up stewardship education led by the Texas Methodist Foundation’s Ed Engleking, Senior Executive Consultant for Stewardship Services, a notable building project came to fruition in a truly diverse downtown area.
As the members of this dedicated congregation explored the idea of celebrating this addition to their already thriving children’s ministry, a vision of outreach began to blossom. The planning committee realized they could reach beyond providing a space serving the church’s Methodist Day School, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School activities. “We realized this building wasn’t just for us, we wanted to take it a step further and minister to those who aren’t a part of our church yet,” said Senior Pastor Jason Fry.
The vision for outreach grew as the whole church became mobilized with 60 to 70 volunteers of all ages pitching in to plan, promote and hold their first ChildFest gathering in September of 2006. Embracing the idea of a community working in unison to provide a fun, safe, wholesome activity for children to attend with their families, donations from neighboring businesses were solicited, including television advertising. So many sponsors were eager to pitch in that a majority of the event was provided free of charge.
“Reaching out this way, we realized that some of the people joining us were going to be different than we are. Everyone was welcomed. We were excited to minister to them and hoped they would return to worship with us,” Fry said. In fact, a number of families walked over from the nearby Perpetual Help Home, a Christian based organization assisting women in making life changes to break the cycle of incarceration, drug addition, and homelessness. Fry estimates in all that 500 people from the community came together in fellowship, and two-thirds of those were not church members.
“There was a real positive feeling as we worked together to serve others,” added Fry, “We want our children’s ministry to be the best thing we do.” FUMC found the ChildFest experience so uplifting, plans are set for the event to become an annual tradition as the congregation continues to utilize and celebrate their exceptional facility for children.
Engleking added, “Here you have a downtown church with a traditionally older population that is truly involved in ‘transformational ministry.’ This is found not only in their commitment to a fantastic children’s ministry, but in the lives of current and of future members as well.”
Growing Faithful Givers