
Celebrating 25 Years of Ministry
“Dynamic Duo” Leading Family of Faith
With hugs and words of greeting, members of Faith United Methodist Church welcomed their new pastors: two former Taylor University “roommates” who were leaders in Good News, the evangelical caucus of the United Methodist Church’s Northern Indiana Conference. Rev. Larry Kurtz was the new Senior Pastor, and Rev. Frank Beard, an Elkhart native, was the Associate. In two services 375 people joined for worship. Faith was an entirely appropriate nameselected for the resulting union of four inner-city congregations. Castle, Grace, Good Shepherd, and Simpson voted April 18, 1993 to unite as one congregation and relocate to Elkhart’s east side while maintaining a ministry presence in the inner city. The groundbreaking and consecration service was held at the new site on April 23, 1995. Following the service, balloons were released. Members of the Building Committee were Judy Atkinson, Al Bailey, Wilkie Bush, Don Covey, Jim Hacker, Teresa Jamison, Dick Jenks, Tony Johnson, Tim Lockhart, Bruce Martin, Ruth Miller, Becky Nelson, Jack Rodman, Dick Snellenberger, and Ramona Sutphin. On Sunday, September 14, 1996, Faith United Methodist Church worshiped as one congregation in its new facility. “To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done!”
Ministries Past & Present
Lifeline/Youth for Christ – Grace
Susanna’s Kitchen – Grace
Food Pantry/Children’s Summer Food Program – Castle
Peanut Brittle – Castle
Bashor Home – Good Shepherd
Neighborhood Ministry – Good Shepherd
J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) – Simpson
European Choir Presentation – Simpson
Children’s Biblical Festival
Kingdom Kids Day Care
Faith Preschool
“Trunk or Treat”
Vacation Bible Schools
Children’s Chimes Choir
Children’s Choir
Children’s Christmas Musicals
Church Camps
Choir Cantata
Handbell & Chancel Choirs
Fish Fry
Bazaars/Craft Shows
Small Group Ministries
Church Community Services/Soup of Success
Red Bird Mission, Kentucky
4 Wells Dug in Haiti
New School Built in Haiti/On-Going Mission Trips
Youth Mission Trips
AND MUCH MORE!
Memories
4 Churches to 1 Family…
“Many of the traditions remain the same, but one has changed drastically. It started as “The Story Sermon” for the kids to come down front & have a little sermonette. We had so few kids back then, that the adults would sometimes come forward to accompany the kids.
We had young families go elsewhere because their child was the only one in her/his classroom. It was a mystery to us as to how 4 churches filled with older adults and very few kids could produce one church full of kids, youth, and bustling families…it’s amazing what faith can do when we obediently follow God’s calling.
He called us to together, and just look at what He has done! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” Becky Nelson
Denny and I were looking for a church in the early 90’s…we came from First UMC on Mishawaka Road in Elkhart, and needed a change…. then…Lo and Behold, in the Saturday Elkhart Truth, was an article and pictures about the merging of the 4 sister churches, with Larry Kurtz as pastor and Frank Beard as associate pastor. There they were … on the front page of the religion section… with broad smiles welcoming anyone who wished to attend…..That was all it took….from that day forward, we were hooked….we were in a group of many who were the first to be new members of the newly formed Faith church.
We have enjoyed many evenings, making peanut brittle…serving dinners at our Wednesday Night Live services…helping at wedding receptions, fish fries and fixing breakfasts for our Holiday Craft Show. The bulletin boards have been a passion of mine and we have faithfully served on many committees.
Our children were married here…our grandchildren have been dedicated here….and we have been truly blessed meeting new pastors and their families, meeting and keeping wonderful friends, being able to help send kids to camp and help bring clean water to Haiti. There is a lot of love in this congregation…and we feel it….hope you do too!!! Jan & Denny Keck