UMDF Featured Churches

"Featured Churches" contains stories and photos of churches that have received loans from the United Methodist Development Fund of the General Board of Global Ministries.

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A Photo Gallery of Churches That Have Been Helped by the United Methodist Development Fund

Featured churches are Fairwood United Methodist Church, Bear Creek United Methodist Church, West Highlands, Guam United Methodist, Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, Dove of the Desert United Methodist Church, and Lake Washington United Methodist Church.

Fairwood United Methodist Church

The pastor of Fairwood Church, Dr. Craig A. Parrish, writes:

"The dreams of ministry were present long before the building was a reality. With the bricks and mortar, the dreams are being fulfilled. The facility has given us space for intergenerational vacation church school, and expanded youth ministry programming. The multipurpose room allows space for dinners, musicals, large classes, an alternative worship center, as well as basketball and volleyball. The large bright rooms offer a pleasant environment for groups of all ages, both church and community groups.

"Without the resources of The UMDF, we would not have been able to secure the necessary funding for our dreams. The resources of The UMDF include more than just money, the application process itself and, the consultations were extremely helpful in the development of our project."

Bear Creek United Methodist Church

Dr. Roger W. Barr, pastor of Bear Creek United Methodist Church in Woodinville, Washington, reports that average attendance has risen from 185 to over 250 upon moving from temporary quarters in a school into the new building.

The chair of the building committee, Randy Garrett, said, "Please give our deep thanks to the investors, the board and the staff, for without our UMDF loan we could not have succeeded in this project."

West Highlands

With about 260 members, the West Highlands congregation in Kennewick, Washington constructed the new facility in large part with volunteer labor. Douglas E. Huston is the pastor. The new sanctuary was dedicated on Sunday, November 15, 1998. UMDF has committed to permanent mortgage financing.

Guam United Methodist

At a total cost of close to $1,000,000, members of Guam United Methodist built a new church. Initiated in 1971 by local laity, the congregation now consists of Filipinos, Caucasians, Chamorros, Japanese, Indonesians and Micronesians who belong to the business and professional community of Guam.

Part of the Hawaii District of the California-Pacific Annual Conference, Guam UMC reports about 150 in worship and about 50 in church school. They share the sanctuary on Sunday afternoons with a Chuukese Evangelicals, who worship in their language with their own music.

The building is also used by MOPS-- the Mothers of PreSchoolers support group--and by Guam Habitat for Humanity. Guam UMC obtained its UMDF loan in 1996.

Gold Canyon United Methodist Church

Gold Canyon United Methodist Church is in Apache Junction, Arizona. The first unit, the multi-purpose building, was completed in 1996-7 with a loan from the United Methodist Development Fund.

In 1997, the church moved to two morning services to relieve over-crowding. Plans are underway for three worship services in January 1999, expansion of the parking and, in the future, additional facilities.

Dove of the Desert United Methodist Church

Pastor J. Michael Peason reports four individually tailored services per weekend and a twenty percent growth rate per year for several years running. The current phase of building was financed in part by a loan from United Methodist Development Fund.

Lake Washington United Methodist Church

The new sanctuary at Lake Washington United Methodist Church, Kirkland, Washington opened in 1997. The pastor, the Rev. Kathlyn James, writes, "Here is the picture of our beautiful new sanctuary, thanks to UMDF! The Advent/Christmas season was especially magical in the new space. Thank you for your part in making our dream come true.