The Builders Club provides financial support to four churches each year as they undergo building, remodeling, or expansion projects. By granting funds to these churches, the Builders Club not only allows congregations to have new and updated spaces, but also lets them grow current ministries–or build new ones–to reach people in their communities for Jesus Christ. 

In 1956, Lay Leader John Moshure had a vision of individuals across South Dakota joining together to support the building projects of United Methodist Churches throughout the state, and he formed the South Dakota Builders Club. North Dakota established their own Builders Club in 1963 to support their United Methodist Churches. In 1994, these two organizations merged to become the Builders Club of the Dakotas Annual Conference. Since the merger, over $900,000 has been distributed to United Methodist Churches across the Dakotas for building projects within their church communities.

Sheri Meister, who serves as president for the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation, reports, “In 2017, almost 600 individuals, organizations, and churches partnered together to provide over $44,000 to help fund churches in their building projects." The following United Methodist churches have benefited, in 2017 and 2018, from the generosity of individuals who are members of the Builders Club: Marion Grace, Sioux Falls Sunnycrest, Milnor, Rapid City Open Heart, Dickinson, Center, Murdo / Draper and Huron Riverview.  See past recipients from 2015-2018 here.

Center UMC in Center, ND was able to update their kitchen, air conditioner,  and heater, provide more seating in their sanctuary, and make their church more accessible for people with disabilities so they could keep up with their growing numbers. God is continuing to send people to Center UMC as they reach out into their community and share God’s love. 

“We applied for Builders Club as a suggestion by our district superintendent because we needed help financially with the project we had in mind,” says Pastor Cory Thrall, who serves Center, Turtle Lake, Hazen and Beulah.

The congregation needed to update their space and make room in order to make the church more accessible.  “It is a split-level church. When you come in, you go up or down, which makes it impossible for someone in a wheelchair or someone who cannot do stairs, to attend,” said Pastor Cory. “We also needed space for a children’s and youth ministry.”

Center UMC set a goal to focus on going out into the community to reach people for Christ. The community of Center has a population of 587 and there are three churches in town.  Pastor Cory shares, “None of the churches were doing anything to reach the children and youth of Center, including us. We started with a prayer walk around Center asking God to direct us on how to reach the people of Center for Him.”

Through that prayer walk God has raised up people who felt the call to reach the children and youth in Center.  On any given Wednesday night, you will find between 50 and 65 kids running around there!  

“The outreach has brought others with the same call and vision into the doors of the church. We needed more space and so we got rid of the pews and put in chairs, giving us 1/4 more seating capacity,” Pastor Cory says.  

The kitchen improvements have made it possible for Center UMC to feed the community. Sunday morning the congregation serves a bountiful breakfast.  Every Wednesday night a meal is served.

Center UMC is just one example of how the Builders Club has helped to grow the congregation and expand ministry. The church has had to change its vision and scope from a small rural church mentality, to being God’s people working in the community. Pastor Cory says, “The change has not been easy, is ongoing, but worth it!”

If you would like to join Builders Club or would like to apply for a Builders Club grant, get the details here, or contact the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation by e-mail or phone 605-990-7790.