So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions
that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
2 Thessalonians 2:15
Tradition—what a powerful word! Derived from the Latin “trader” or “traderer,” it means to transmit, hand over, or give for safekeeping. And how fitting that 60 years ago, on September 30th, 1964, a visionary group of leaders at our beloved First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth recognized the importance of safeguarding our future. They saw the need to create something enduring, something that would provide financial stability for generations to come—and thus, they founded our foundation.
In 1964, with just $2,500 in initial donations, these forward-thinking leaders established the First Methodist Church of Fort Worth Foundation. Little did they know that their faith and foresight would grow into an extraordinary entity that today can contribute more than $8,098 each day to our church! That’s an astounding $2.95 million annually—funds that help maintain our facilities, renovate, expand our ministries, and support vital programs.
Your Foundation both “safe keeps” and “gives.” Every donation to the Foundation is carefully preserved, ensuring that the principal remains untouched. Only the earnings generated from the investment of these funds are released to the Church for its various needs and missions. Imagine this: thanks to the generosity of donors and the Foundation’s diligent stewardship since 1964, our Church has benefited from over $71.2 million in support. These funds have enabled countless ministries, projects, and outreach efforts, all while preserving the legacy of giving for future generations.
Let’s look at what happens with Foundation earnings when they go to our Church. As an example, during 2024, the Foundation has provided funds that were used for major projects such as:
$ 298,032 Church HVAC System
$ 145,073 Sanctuary Audio & Visual Equipment
$ 66,964 Church Security Support
$ 58,190 Sanctuary Ceiling Repair
$ 37,141 Lyle Lodge Repairs
It’s quite a list. Today, as it has been during the entire six decades since our Foundation was officially formed, the Foundation’s commitment to our Church remains unwavering. Fortunately, every year our Foundation continues to grow. This growth makes a difference in our Church. The Foundation is honored to help our Church thrive!
Sid Johnston, Executive Director
817.639.2367
Sid.Johnston@fmcfoundation.org
