Building on Christ’s Sure Foundation!
Parkway Heights United Methodist Church
“You are built upon the foundation of the apostles, and the prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you are also built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” Ephesians 2:20-22.
The foundation of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church was laid in Camp School, on February 20, 1949. That foundation is today as it was then, a foundation for ministry, as well as a very special witness to the love and teachings of Jesus Christ.
At every stage of the life of the congregation, Parkway Heights has been known for living with great passion and determination. From the early days of meeting at Camp School, then in the parsonage, through the first building campaign to construct the small sanctuary at the corner of 25th and Hardy Street, then the larger sanctuary and educational facilities, acquisition of property for future expansion, and through the establishment of the Edwards Street Fellowship, the members of Parkway Heights have diligently sought direction to do what God was calling them to do, each generation faithfully working to prepare the way for those who would come after—so future generations might know faith in Christ, and serve Him.
CHALLENGE
During its 58 years Parkway Heights has offered a vibrant ministry. God has blessed PHUMC and entrusted us with the responsibility to continue to build up and sustain a community of faith, “so that they may be one, as we are one.” (John 17.11)
Our aging facilities have served us extremely well. Over two generations of children have learned and grown in a space that is now more than 50 years old. All of these facilities are showing their age, and do not meet minimal safety and accessibility standards. Renovating these present facilities was investigated by our Building Committee and renovation proved financially prohibitive.
The congregation has overwhelmingly endorsed the conceptual plans, provided by the Building Committee, to replace these aging facilities with an expansion that will take Parkway Heights to yet another higher dimension for ministry.
VISION
The Committee has developed a forward-looking plan which will provide facilities that will be the primary ministry tool for the current and an expanded ministry. The new building will provide new space for all ages, and consolidate all parking.
Plans call for the renovation of the original small sanctuary space to provide consolidated facilities for our growing youth population. With the new space our entire campus will be integrated with obvious entry points, easy to find classrooms, and open spaces for gathering. Parents will discover a safe and secure place for children and preschoolers.
This new space will position Parkway Heights for ministry now, while preparing the way for future growth and expansion. Our strategic location on Hardy Street will continue to provide a launching point for ministry. The improved and expanded facilities will fully realize our ministry potential as we teach God’s Word, spread the Good News, care for God’s people, and reach out to welcome our neighbors, near and far, for many years to come.
STRATEGY
Our need for a new facility is to provide an inviting environment to help realize the ministry potential of Parkway Heights. To achieve this end, our plans are to launch a Campaign for Ministry to provide funding of approximately $5 million, to support our bold new vision for future ministry.
This vision and our decision to move forward are the culmination of years of hard work by many of the faithful among us to assure the continuation of our special mission to – Connect, Equip, Send: which is to provide a place of worship, to learn and grow in love and faith, to provide a church home for our families, a place for meaningful fellowship, and a place to extend ourselves in mission to others.
It is time for Parkway Heights to prayerfully embrace this courageous step to expand and modernize our facilities so we can continue to prepare the way for our ministries in pursuit of our mission. We realize our vision will take several years, along with the financial support of all of our members. Our faithfulness of giving will enable Parkway Heights to continue to live the reconciling love of God as far into the future as we can imagine.
Within the ministry of Parkway Heights we convey Christ’s universal message through our visible presence, our church facilities and the activities of our members.
Continuing on the foundation that God has provided, we want to prepare the way so people can see and experience Christ in the years ahead.
Joining together as Christ’s body, we all prayerfully and positively respond to the opportunity which God is giving us. We ask for your prayerful and generous support to turn this vision into a reality.
Isaiah 65: “Build up, build up, prepare the way, lift up an ensign.”
Prepare the Way
Connect, Equip, Send