Stories
Part 1: Economics and Fights
Rev. Todd Salzwedel, the Senior Pastor at FUMC Odessa, came to ministry via economics and fights. It is an unusual combination, to say the least, but, for Todd, it was exactly the combination of experiences he needed to be a more effective pastor.
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Tips on Endowment Success from Saint John’s UMC Austin
When Saint John’s UMC experienced unprecedented success in growing their endowment from $50,000 in 2014 to $860,000 in 2015, they embarked upon a journey to use their endowment strategically.
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Cycling to Endowment Success
At the end of their campaign, they had raised and matched $860,000 in gifts to the endowment. The plan to expand the endowment fund and the impromptu bike rides to support Pastor Paul had been successful at an unanticipated level.
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Millicans Honor the Past and Invest in the Future through Support for Clergy Leaders
“My wife Kristie and I have developed a passion around supporting young clergy,” said Wesley, explaining the drivers for the endowment he and his wife established at TMF to help pastors participate in TMF’s Leadership Ministry learning communities.
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UM Pastor’s Fancy Footwork Grows Congregation’s Spirit and Practice of Generosity
Rev. James Amerson. Senior Pastor at historic St. Paul United Methodist Church in San Antonio, the first African American congregation established in Bexar County, in 1866. And . . . 2018 winner of a Dancing with the Stars competition!
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Sharing God’s Goodness and Generosity
The congregation started a program called ministry mile, focused on serving anyone living within one mile of the church who would benefit from assistance. This led to initiatives for weekend lunch programs, summer youth groups, and more.
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From the Prison Yard to the Pulpit
As a young man, Gabriel gravitated to the hustling lifestyle on the back streets of Waco. He did everything from deal drugs to traffic weapons. By age 23, he landed in federal prison. Dominguez found God shortly after he was released from prison...
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Inspiring a New Generation of Worshipers
In 2010, the clergy and lay leadership at St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Amarillo recognized that they needed a new Children’s Center to truly serve the needs of their community.
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Gratefully Enacting God’s Grace
Twenty years ago, Grace Fellowship United Methodist Church in Katy was a worship community in search of a place to gather. The congregation ended up renting a facility from an equestrian center and paying $1 per head for each worshiper.
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