A capital campaign is a stewardship program focused on addressing special needs of the church such as raising funds for building projects, facilities maintenance, debt elimination, and other needs. Capital campaigns are a separate ask from the annual stewardship programs that support our operational budget. Pledges for the capital campaign are made over a three-year commitment.

We are engaging in the capital campaign called "Freedom for the Future" in 2024. Friendswood Methodist Church has a substantial amount of debt consisting of the remaining loan balance on our sanctuary for $1.47 M as well as $315K for the loan we had to take out to pay our disaffiliation costs for separating from the United Methodist Church in 2022. FMC has made great strides over the years to pay down the original loan amount ($5.5 M) on the sanctuary, and has just this remaining amount to go. We also are facing an anticipated capital expenditure of $225K in the next year to replace the chiller plant for our sanctuary building. This and the remaining debts total approximately $2.01 M.

FMC does not have this amount of money on hand to pay this off in full, and we need to raise the funds through a capital campaign program to get us to the finish line and become debt-free and replace our HVAC system. In 2023 FMC paid interest fees of $87,485.37 ($65,278.39 for the building loan and $22,206.98 for the disaffiliation loan) in addition to the principal payments of $342,314.90 ($241,714.90 for the building loan, $100,600 for the disaffiliation loan). While the loan for the sanctuary does not mature until February 2037, our interest rate will be evaluated and adjusted in February 2027, and the low percentage rate we have now may go up significantly based on current market rates.

We are so close to having this paid off, and a focused capital campaign to eliminate our debt over the coming three years should make us debt free and enable our church to do so much more in programs, ministries, missions, and more. The amount that FMC is paying in interest and principal is substantial and has greatly affected our ability as a church to better serve our congregation, community, and the world.

At the very least, we need to raise the $2.01 M to pay off the remaining sanctuary and disaffiliation loans and the chiller replacement costs. We anticipate being able to raise much more, however, and have several ideas for other capital improvements under consideration including renovation of the FLC kitchen, organ repairs/update, and much more. Depending on how much is pledged and collected over the three-year period will determine what we are able to do without negatively impacting our operational budget and expenses.

Yes. FMC has engaged with Ascend Stewardship out of North Carolina to guide us through the capital campaign program. They were selected through a careful analysis of several firms, and were proven to be the best choice for FMC as they have successfully worked with many protestant churches across the country including Methodist congregations that have disaffiliated from the UMC. Our team from Ascend is made up of former and current Methodist pastors who focus on our spiritual need to give more than the dollars that need to be raised.

We will kick off the event on Easter Sunday, March 31. Over the next 6 weeks we will hold various informational events in Welsey Hall, in homes, and other venues to share and discuss more about the program, vision for the church for what we can do once we are debt free, and address your questions. After Kickoff Sunday, we will enter into 21 days of prayer. Commitment Sunday will be Sunday, May 5. At that service we will be asked to turn in our pledge cards indicating our three-year commitments. We will hold a Celebration event the following Sunday, May 12 and share the results and praise God for His blessings. On Sunday, May 19, we will bring our First Fruits offerings — the most abundant and generous gifts we can offer to honor God’s provision and blessing.

Prayerfully consider how you can support Friendswood Methodist Church over the next three years. Attend some of the various campaign events coming up. Ask questions. Pledge what you can, and be loyal to honoring your commitment.

We all love God's church and have a spiritual need to give back to Him some of what He has blessed us with. How much you pledge and give is between you and God. But we need everyone to prayerfully consider what they can contribute as they are able. Our church and congregation has a rich history of generous giving, generous ministries, and incredible outreach to the mission field beyond our church property. We need to make this final push to become debt free so we can enhance our ability to do more, do better, and do mightily for God to help those in need of our support and in sharing the love of Christ to everyone and everywhere.

You can give in a variety of ways. Your commitment for the three-year program can be to pay it in full in a one-time gift or over the three-year period. Typically, 50% of capital campaigns commitments are paid in full in the first year, 35% in the second year, and 15% over the course of three years. Choose what works best for you.

Contributions to the Freedom for the Future capital campaign can be made by:

• Check - Please write "Freedom for the Future" on the memo line.
• Online - Visit https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/frie110193 to make a one-time or recurring gift by credit card, debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or bank ACH. Please select "Freedom for the Future" from the fund drop down menu.
• Automatic Bank Draft - If you would like to make recurring monthly or weekly contributions by automatic bank draft, please contact the Finance office to complete the necessary paperwork. You can visit in-person, contact the office by phone at 281-482-7535 x117, or contact the office by email at suzanne@friendswoodmethodist.org.

The capital campaign for debt elimination is above and beyond our regular giving. We need to continue to support our ministries and missions of the church that are covered in our annual budget and giving.