Summit Heights United Methodist Church is starting a capital campaign that church leaders hope will move the congregation "Forward By Faith."  
                  
Two years ago, members Mike Welker and Gary Young started a discussion about expanding the church to help serve the community better. Groups such as Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops were increasingly using the church building “we had reached the ends of our seems” Welker said.

On Nov. 21, the congregation voted to build a Family Life Center and to expand the Sunday School  wing. On April 16, members will pledge money over a three year period. “This will be a big moment in the future of our church,” Welker said.

Summit Heights is not setting a goal for the fund-raiser campaign; leaders will work with whatever the congregation pledges.

“Right now the goal is to let God work through the people. We are going to be blessed by whatever God gives us, we are going to go forward from there,” Welker said. “We are going to be better Christians to the community. It is not about church growth.  The purpose of a church is to serve, and we must be God’s feet and hands.

The church currently has no debt, Welker said, adding that he feels confident about future endeavors. “A church cannot just sit; it has to be moving, “ he said. Welker said at present, Summit Heights, which is active with the ministries in the Highview and Fern Creek area, cannot play host to some events because it does not have the room.

Lay Director Steve Bays said the church wants a multipurpose room for community meetings. The expansion will include new bathrooms, a kitchen and an indoor walking track. The building will be accessible to the disabled.  Bays and Welker also hopes to reach more youngsters by providing a gymnasium.

“Our church serves approximately 600 children a week.  We could handle a lot more, and there are more children that need a safe place.”  Welker said. The church also offers a Parent Out Program in which parents can leave their children at the church while they run errands. The program can’t accept more children until additional space is created, Welker said.

The Rev. Gene Pillow said the title of the fund-raising campaign echoes the church’s mission. “Everything we do is based on Faith, because we are stepping out on faith”, he said  

Congregation size: 200

Worship Services: 10:30am    Sunday School: 9:30am

Address: 7400 Outer Loop

Phone:  239-3511