The people of Isle of Faith United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, are grateful for our continued partnership with the Florida United Methodist Foundation. In 2019, IOFUMC celebrated the final mortgage payment on our church property, a loan secured in partnership with the FUMF. The following year, our leadership decided it was time to make much-needed repairs to our church property. Our first call was to the FUMF. The knowledgeable consultants walked us through the loan process, and quickly, we had the funds on hand to replace our roof, resurface the church parking lot, remodel our outdated kitchen, replace flooring in our Mission Hall, install an irrigation system for our Community Engagement Park athletic field, and a few other small projects.
We understand these repairs and improvements as much more than needed maintenance and “Curb Appeal” projects. This is ministry! IOFUMC is called to serve this community, and all of these projects enable us to connect with our neighbors in a manner that honors that call. Our partnership with the Foundation strengthens our ability to provide a safe environment, protect our physical resources, and create space for ministries we have yet to envision.
In addition to the loan, the FUMF continues to provide training and support for our Stewardship ministry. We see stewardship as a Spiritual Gift of generosity. The ability to fund repairs, necessary upgrades, and ministry through partnership with FUMF is a powerful example of generosity and faithful dedication to serving our community.