State of the Church: May Update
Church Conference, Goals, Partnerships, Budget & Building Construction Schedule
This past Sunday’s Church Conference was a powerful reminder that God continues to move in and through our church family in incredible ways. As we gathered together, we celebrated life change, discipleship, servant leadership, and the exciting future God is placing before us.
We celebrated 3 confirmands taking an important next step in their faith journey, 1 baptism, and the welcoming of 7 new members into the life of the church — including our confirmands. These moments are more than numbers. They are stories of grace, commitment, belonging, and the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in our congregation.
We also commissioned 5 new Stephen Ministers, individuals who have answered God’s call to walk alongside others with compassion, presence, and care during difficult seasons of life. Their ministry reflects the heart of Christ and strengthens the care-centered mission of our church.
One of the highlights of the evening was our Ministry Recap Video. If you were unable to attend — or even if you were there — we strongly encourage you to take time to watch it. The video captures so many of the meaningful moments, ministries, mission opportunities, and transformed lives that define who we are as a church. Sometimes we become so busy serving that we forget to pause and celebrate all that God is doing among us.
COMING SOON! Watch the Ministry Recap Video (Click Here).
Flex for the Mission
This year, we have one all-church goal. It will be “Flex for the Mission.” As construction begins and our campus experiences temporary changes, we want to embrace a spirit of flexibility, unity, and mission-mindedness. While some routines and comforts may shift for a season, every adjustment becomes an opportunity to serve others, welcome people well, and remember that we are building for future generations of ministry.
We believe the way we walk through this season together will be just as important as the renovations themselves. By staying focused on the mission of connecting people to Jesus, we can turn temporary inconvenience into lasting Kingdom impact.
Building Wisely for the Future
During the Church Conference, we also shared more information regarding joining an association of autonomous Methodist Church known as the Methodist Collegiate Church (MCC).
Your leadership believes it is important that we remain connected—not to a denomination, but to a network of independent, Wesleyan Methodist churches that share our theology, mission, and values. The MCC allows churches like ours to remain fully independent while still benefiting from connection, support, accountability, leadership development, clergy relationships, and shared ministry resources.
This partnership model gives us what many churches need most in today’s ministry landscape: connection without control.
The MCC provides a path that protects our independence and local governance of our church while strengthening our future through trusted Wesleyan partnerships.
We encourage you to learn more about the MCC partnership opportunity by visiting our information page and watching the video explanation that walks through the vision, structure, and reasons behind this recommendation.
* MCC Information Page
* Video Explanation
Your Generosity: Giving, Budget & Communication Updates
Since the last State of the Church update, your generosity has caught up to the needs of ministry. Thank you for giving and all the extra mile giving. Our generosity milestones are ahead of schedule and if we finish strong, we will be in a great place financially going into the 2026/27 fiscal year on July 1.
Your Core Leadership Team (CLT) is expected to adopt the 2026/27 budget during its June meeting. And that information will be shared with the larger church community, by posting it on a new webpage coming in July -- www.jwchurch.org/your-giving
As part of our continued commitment to transparency and communication, this dedicated webpage on our church website will house quarterly financial updates, important financial documents, and other stewardship-related information for our faithful givers and church family.
Building Update: God Is Big Enough
Phase 1 will launch in June (1st Sunday in Worship Center June 7):
* Renovation and updating of the Sanctuary
* Renovation of the Welcome Center
* New Chiller
* Prayer Chapel External Wall Fix
* Creation of a new playground
* Parking lot upgrades
While we are excited about the progress ahead, please note that all dates and timelines below remain subject to change should construction, permitting, weather, or unforeseen issues arise.
Current Team Partners
* Architect: Mark W. Todd Architects
* Engineer: ASEI Engineers, Inc.
* Acoustic Consultant: Wade Worley
* General Contractor: Axis Builders, LLC
Pre-construction Activity & Timing as of May 19, 2026
* April 22 & May 5 — Meetings with Axis on AIA contract documents
* April 27 — Received Axis proof of insurance documents
* April 27 — Exterior consultant/inspector inspected Prayer Chapel walls
* April 29 — Wade Worley provided in-person review of acoustics report
* April 29 — Decision made to divide permit application into interior and exterior applications
* May 1 — Axis received final drawings from MWTA
* May 11 — Interior permit application submitted to Harris County Fire Code
* May 11 — Sanctuary carpet selected by consensus of 6 women and 4 men
* May 14 — Proposed demolition areas sampled for hazardous materials
* May 19 — Sub-contractors submitted final pricing to Axis
* May 19 — Hazardous materials report confirmed no asbestos
* May 20 – September 3 — Procurement phase (Axis schedule)
* May 20 — Chiller ordered
* May 28 — Submit GMP to JW with follow-up meeting May 29
* June 1 — Submit GMP documentation to TMF
* June 2 — Expected county permit approval (Axis schedule currently projects June 19)
* June 4 — Submit exterior permit application to county
* June 5 — Expected approval from TMF
* June 5 — Execute contract with Axis
Remodel/Construction
* June 12 — Begin mobilization by Axis
* August 3 – August 31 — Parking lot work
* September 7 — Playground completion projected by Axis
* September 7 week — Install chiller
* September 17 — Sanctuary projected ready for worship
* October 9 — Welcome Center and corridor projected complete
* October 9 – November 4 — Cleanup, final inspections, and punch list work
As we move into this next season together, we remain grateful for your prayers, generosity, patience, and faithfulness. The mission of the church continues to grow because people continue saying “yes” to Jesus, to service, and to one another.
This past Sunday’s Church Conference was a powerful reminder that God continues to move in and through our church family in incredible ways. As we gathered together, we celebrated life change, discipleship, servant leadership, and the exciting future God is placing before us.
We celebrated 3 confirmands taking an important next step in their faith journey, 1 baptism, and the welcoming of 7 new members into the life of the church — including our confirmands. These moments are more than numbers. They are stories of grace, commitment, belonging, and the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in our congregation.
We also commissioned 5 new Stephen Ministers, individuals who have answered God’s call to walk alongside others with compassion, presence, and care during difficult seasons of life. Their ministry reflects the heart of Christ and strengthens the care-centered mission of our church.
One of the highlights of the evening was our Ministry Recap Video. If you were unable to attend — or even if you were there — we strongly encourage you to take time to watch it. The video captures so many of the meaningful moments, ministries, mission opportunities, and transformed lives that define who we are as a church. Sometimes we become so busy serving that we forget to pause and celebrate all that God is doing among us.
COMING SOON! Watch the Ministry Recap Video (Click Here).
Flex for the Mission
This year, we have one all-church goal. It will be “Flex for the Mission.” As construction begins and our campus experiences temporary changes, we want to embrace a spirit of flexibility, unity, and mission-mindedness. While some routines and comforts may shift for a season, every adjustment becomes an opportunity to serve others, welcome people well, and remember that we are building for future generations of ministry.
We believe the way we walk through this season together will be just as important as the renovations themselves. By staying focused on the mission of connecting people to Jesus, we can turn temporary inconvenience into lasting Kingdom impact.
Building Wisely for the Future
During the Church Conference, we also shared more information regarding joining an association of autonomous Methodist Church known as the Methodist Collegiate Church (MCC).
Your leadership believes it is important that we remain connected—not to a denomination, but to a network of independent, Wesleyan Methodist churches that share our theology, mission, and values. The MCC allows churches like ours to remain fully independent while still benefiting from connection, support, accountability, leadership development, clergy relationships, and shared ministry resources.
This partnership model gives us what many churches need most in today’s ministry landscape: connection without control.
The MCC provides a path that protects our independence and local governance of our church while strengthening our future through trusted Wesleyan partnerships.
We encourage you to learn more about the MCC partnership opportunity by visiting our information page and watching the video explanation that walks through the vision, structure, and reasons behind this recommendation.
* MCC Information Page
* Video Explanation
Your Generosity: Giving, Budget & Communication Updates
Since the last State of the Church update, your generosity has caught up to the needs of ministry. Thank you for giving and all the extra mile giving. Our generosity milestones are ahead of schedule and if we finish strong, we will be in a great place financially going into the 2026/27 fiscal year on July 1.
Your Core Leadership Team (CLT) is expected to adopt the 2026/27 budget during its June meeting. And that information will be shared with the larger church community, by posting it on a new webpage coming in July -- www.jwchurch.org/your-giving
As part of our continued commitment to transparency and communication, this dedicated webpage on our church website will house quarterly financial updates, important financial documents, and other stewardship-related information for our faithful givers and church family.
Building Update: God Is Big Enough
Phase 1 will launch in June (1st Sunday in Worship Center June 7):
* Renovation and updating of the Sanctuary
* Renovation of the Welcome Center
* New Chiller
* Prayer Chapel External Wall Fix
* Creation of a new playground
* Parking lot upgrades
While we are excited about the progress ahead, please note that all dates and timelines below remain subject to change should construction, permitting, weather, or unforeseen issues arise.
Current Team Partners
* Architect: Mark W. Todd Architects
* Engineer: ASEI Engineers, Inc.
* Acoustic Consultant: Wade Worley
* General Contractor: Axis Builders, LLC
Pre-construction Activity & Timing as of May 19, 2026
* April 22 & May 5 — Meetings with Axis on AIA contract documents
* April 27 — Received Axis proof of insurance documents
* April 27 — Exterior consultant/inspector inspected Prayer Chapel walls
* April 29 — Wade Worley provided in-person review of acoustics report
* April 29 — Decision made to divide permit application into interior and exterior applications
* May 1 — Axis received final drawings from MWTA
* May 11 — Interior permit application submitted to Harris County Fire Code
* May 11 — Sanctuary carpet selected by consensus of 6 women and 4 men
* May 14 — Proposed demolition areas sampled for hazardous materials
* May 19 — Sub-contractors submitted final pricing to Axis
* May 19 — Hazardous materials report confirmed no asbestos
* May 20 – September 3 — Procurement phase (Axis schedule)
* May 20 — Chiller ordered
* May 28 — Submit GMP to JW with follow-up meeting May 29
* June 1 — Submit GMP documentation to TMF
* June 2 — Expected county permit approval (Axis schedule currently projects June 19)
* June 4 — Submit exterior permit application to county
* June 5 — Expected approval from TMF
* June 5 — Execute contract with Axis
Remodel/Construction
* June 12 — Begin mobilization by Axis
* August 3 – August 31 — Parking lot work
* September 7 — Playground completion projected by Axis
* September 7 week — Install chiller
* September 17 — Sanctuary projected ready for worship
* October 9 — Welcome Center and corridor projected complete
* October 9 – November 4 — Cleanup, final inspections, and punch list work
As we move into this next season together, we remain grateful for your prayers, generosity, patience, and faithfulness. The mission of the church continues to grow because people continue saying “yes” to Jesus, to service, and to one another.