A lot can happen in 365 days! 2018 was an incredible year at Highland Park United Methodist Church, from celebrating milestones at each of our campuses, to a trip halfway around the world, and a short-film produced entirely by our friends with disabilities.
As we look forward to a new year beginning, we want to pause and reflect on a few of the amazing things that took place in the life of our church this past year. Here are five things you don’t want to miss from 2018!
Rev. Paul Rasmussen tours the Holy Land
Rev. Paul Rasmussen, along with a group of clergy and members from HPUMC got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel the Holy Land in March! The pilgrimage through Israel visited prominent places from the life of Jesus. Rev. Rasmussen and company toured the Sea of Galilee, the Garden Tomb, and were baptized in the Jordan River!
HPUMC celebrates successful Beyond Capital Campaign
In February of 2017, Rev. Rasmussen challenged HPUMC’s congregation to go beyond our limits, beyond ourselves, and beyond our walls as part of a historic $65 million capital campaign.
“As we move beyond our first century, we believe God is calling us to band together and positively impact our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and our world,” says Rev. Rasmussen.
The initiatives funded include the new Tolleson Family Activity Center, plans for renovations at the Mockingbird campus, renovation of the Wesley House for a growing college ministry, future church plants, the Mark Craig Leadership Network, as well as a dorm at Africa University and expansions to the Haiti Medical Clinic in Petit Goave.
Check out the video above for more details about what we’ll be able to accomplish through the Beyond Campaign, or you can visit beyond.hpumc.org.
Construction on the Tolleson Family Activity Center reaches halfway point
Speaking of the Tolleson Family Activity Center, construction on the new building is humming along across from HPUMC’s Mockingbird campus! Rev. Rasmussen and others got their first look inside the new building this Summer as construction reached the halfway point. In June, the final beam was placed at the top of the third floor, marking another significant milestone in the building’s construction.
The Tolleson Family Activity Center will feature 65,000 square feet of space for HPUMC’s Special Needs Ministry, Family Ministries, and an underground parking garage. Construction is expected to be completed in March 2019.
Second annual short-film released by HPUMC’s Spotlight Academy
The red carpet was rolled out once again for the actors and actresses behind this year’s HPUMC Spotlight Academy production! In May, the group released their latest short-film, Tommy’s Extreme Decision. The story focused on Tommy, a young man who comes from a long line of extreme athletes and now faces extreme pressure to choose an extreme sport of his own, even though Tommy has a different dream in mind.
The Spotlight Academy is made up of adults and teens with disabilities. Each year the group helps to write and then star in their own original production, which takes several months to write, shoot, and edit.
The Grove and Munger celebrate birthdays and add additional services
Both of HPUMC’s campuses celebrated milestones in 2018!
The Grove Church celebrated their first birthday in North Dallas on October 21 with a high-energy worship service and block party featuring food trucks and inflatables. Since opening day, the Grove’s congregation has grown to nearly 300 people in weekly worship, with 125 people engaged in Grove groups. The Grove also started a second service in October to prepare for future growth and double their ability to accommodate families with children.
Meanwhile, in East Dallas, Munger Place church continues to thrive! Munger celebrated its eighth birthday on October 28 by showcasing cardboard testimonies from the congregation detailing the powerful ways God has moved in their life over the past year. The cardboard testimonies have become a tradition for Munger and a favorite among the church’s congregation. In November, Munger launched their third service which takes place at 5 pm on Sundays.