Rev. Enrique Gonzales, Senior Pastor of El Mesias UMC (one of the biggest Hispanic United Methodist congregations in the country) and Chair of the Harvest 2020 capital Campaign Feasibility Study, reported on the Feasibility Study for Harvest 2020. That is a big word for what we tried to accomplish, said Pastor Gonzales. “My translation for this is: Capital Campaign: “Let’s see if we can make it.”

He then introduced the Feasibility Study consultant, Pat Mullin, from CCS who reported on the findings of the a study which involved research through 143 one-on-one interview, 41 focus group participants and 364 electronic surveys. Among the highlights of the study were are follows:

63% of study respondents were very favorable/favorable to the idea of a financial campaign for Harvest 2020 with laity being more positive than clergy

Respondents ranks the three facets of Harvest 2020 in this order: Healthy Discipleship, New Faith Communities, Cluster ministries

Asked if respondents would consider a gift to Harvest 2020, 79% of clergy said yes, 90% of laity said yes

Conclusions:

Case for support was well received. Now, clear objectives need to established to guide the campaign. The consult recommends a $9 million campaign, with a $2 million major gifts phase and a second phase focused on raising $7 million from congregational membership and clergy. The Capital Campaign: next steps are:

Intensive communication and education

Sharing Jesus Christ is a driving force behind Harvest 2020

Continuing to refine plans for new church projects

Preparation for a proposal for AC 2009 to approve a capital campaign