News

Leadership team approves funds for campus ministry

The Kansas East Leadership Team approved a $9,500 grant for sidewalk improvements at the Pittsburg State University campus ministry. The sidewalk in front and to the side of the campus-ministry facility has been cracked and buckled for some time. However, recently a student in a wheelchair began attending events at the center, and this project moved up the priority list. “We had the entire sidewalk torn up and replaced,” said Rev. Josh Gooding, campus minister. “We hope this...

Bridges work nears completion at Camp Chippewa

By Lisa Diehl, Kansas communications director It was a busy year of improvements at Camp Chippewa thanks to the Bridges to the Future capital campaign. In 2007, the Kansas East Conference committed to raising funds for camping, campus ministry and church growth and development. More than $5 million was pledged by churches and individuals for the efforts. The campaign should be wrapped up by the end of 2013. Camp Chippewa was a major recipient of funds from the campaign. Grants totaling...

Bridges funds spur growth for campus ministries

By Lisa Diehl, Kansas communications director The Fort Hays State University’s United Methodist Campus Ministry received Bridges to the Future funds to improve curb appeal and construct a storage shed to store tools for yard work. (photo by Steve Johnson) Bridges to the Future funds will be used for several projects at Emporia State University’s Campus...

Leadership Team approves $162,757 in Bridges disbursements

By Lisa Diehl, Kansas communications director The Kansas East Conference Leadership Team approved more than $167,000 in disbursements from the Bridges to the Future capital campaign at its Oct. 13 meeting at First United Methodist Church in Topeka. The majority of the disbursements will be paid monthly throughout 2013 for new church development and support of the Center for Small Membership Churches for the administration of the Certified Lay Ministry program. Rev. Gary Beach reported that...

Leadership Team approves new Bridges distributions

By Lisa Diehl, Kansas Area communications director The Kansas East Leadership Team approved two requests for funds from the Bridges to the Future Capital Campaign at its meeting March 17 at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka. Rev. Gary Beach, conference treasurer and assistant to the bishop, reported a balance of $154,363.78 in undesignated funds available for distribution at the March meeting and requests totaling $122,270. The first request was for significant renovations of the...

Leadership Team approves new Bridges disbursements

By Lisa Diehl, Kansas Area Communications director More than $405,000 from the Bridges to the Future capital campaign was distributed Oct. 8 by the Kansas East Conference Leadership Team. In addition, Rev. Gary Beach, conference treasurer, reported that the Bridges campaign has kept up with pledge payment projections even during a significant recession that started a couple of months after the pledge period ended. So far, $2,526,547 has been collected for Bridges to the Future. Disbursements...

Testimonies highlight the need for Bridges ministries

LEAWOOD - Rev. Gary Beach and Mary Lou Reece, president of Reece Construction Company and wife of Bishop Scott Jones, shared the principles of building a good bridge, for roads and for growing the church into the future in the 2010 Bridges to the Future capital campaign report. “We’ve raised $1,743,364.40 for Bridges to the Future during the worst recession in recent history,” Beach said. “We are a people of faith. We’re a part of God’s construction...