Over the past decade, one of Highland Park United Methodist Church’s ministry goals has been to start new churches. God has blessed us and the lives of so many through the successes of Munger Place Church and The Grove Church.

On October 20, HPUMC’s North Dallas campus, The Grove Church, celebrated their second birthday.

Campus Minister for The Grove, Rev. Stephen Lohoefer, reminisced about when he first spoke to the congregation two years ago. “I said that if you had any doubt about the existence of God, any wonder if he was still at work in the world, just look around. And that has never been truer than today.”

“I am so honored to be a part of this church,” Rev. Lohoefer said. “Thank you, and happy birthday to you!”

When they first opened, The Grove asked members to write prayers on the floors. This year, they continued that tradition by asking those who hadn’t written anything yet to inscribe a prayer on a section of the church’s floor.

At Munger Church, HPUMC’s East Dallas campus, they celebrated their ninth birthday on October 27.

“It’s obvious that the past nine years at Munger have been blessed by God. So much cool stuff has happened,” Rev. Andrew Forrest, Campus Minister for Munger Place, said. “But what if? What if all that is just a preview of what God wants to do next? Expect great things!”

After one big morning service, the congregation kept the party going with a picnic in Garrett Park where they held their annual Mungerfest featuring bounce houses, trunk-or-treating, and food trucks.

Mungarians also continued their cardboard testimonies tradition as all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs were invited to stand up and share how God took something they were struggling with and brought redemption and restoration.

We’re amazed by all that God has done and can’t wait to see what He has in store for the future!