In 2003, Pastor Mark Hill had a vision that their church should expand by building a family life center. The leadership got behind that vision and they dedicated the Williams Family Life Center in 2004.

Just three years later, in June of 2007, tragedy struck! Their beautiful 148-year old sanctuary suddenly collapsed due to failure of a roof truss.

As heartbreaking as this loss was, this congregation firmly believed that God had directed them to build the family life center and, because of that, they were able to move their worship services into the life center the following Sunday without missing a beat.

Due to many reasons, it took time to get the insurance money to rebuild. They soon realized this was divine providence. Yes, they could not rebuild immediately, but this gave them time to thoroughly think through the building design of the new sanctuary and retire the debt on the family life center. When at last they were able to start building in 2012, they were sure of what they wanted and needed in the new building.

On Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, Stockwell UMC celebrated with a mortgage burning. They were once again debt free!

Tom Moore, Financial Secretary, shared “All of this building and debt retirement was accomplished without begging for contributions and while maintaining our status as one of largest per capita giving churches in the INUMC to mission causes.”

“None of this is to brag,” Tom shared, “God gets all of the credit and glory. We are thankful to be His vessels. Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,’ and we are privileged to be a part of a congregation that puts their treasure into the Kingdom of God.”