Highland Park United Methodist Church

Dallas, Texas

Building on the past

The most recent chapter in the story of Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) could rank as the most exciting chapter in the Dallas-based church's 85-year history. When church leaders and members began discussing their critical need for additional space in the late 1990s, they could not have anticipated the spiritual and financial blessings that awaited them.

The Genesis Group President Jim Sheppard tailored the capital campaign to the unique needs and vision for HPUMC's congregation.

HPUMC announced its $28 million capital improvement campaign in January of 2000. "Great Tradition, Great Future" was chosen as the campaign theme to inspire church members to continue building on 85 years of rich history. Custom-designed campaign visuals incorporated imagery from the church's distinctive Gothic architecture, emphasizing HPUMC's plan to continue building on its past. HPUMC's project includes adding 75,000 square feet of space, creating a more visitor-friendly environment and bringing facilities in line with present-day safety codes. The master plan incorporates greater wheelchair access, state-of-the-art security systems in the children's area and other much needed modifications. Senior Pastor Mark Craig challenged members to continue the legacy of growth that had been entrusted to them from prior generations. He admitted early on that, "The only way the church can reach this bold, audacious goal will be for God to stir in each member the spirit of generosity and sacrifice."

Over the next three months, pledges demonstrated God's hand, and overflowing blessings at work. "We thought our original goal of $28 million was very ambitious," he adds, "but when we received total pledges of $38 million, we were truly amazed." "From the beginning, we defined success not so much by how much money we raised," said campaign executive directors Terry and Sally Kelley, "but by whether the effort was pleasing to God and pleasing to our people. We more than succeeded on all counts."