World Ministries Center on the Move

by Jeff Finley

The World Ministries Center will move next week out of its 32-year home at 770 N. High School Road in Indianapolis. In the midst of finishing their packing and other preparations for the move, Free Methodist Church USA employees took time Wednesday (Feb. 16) to join retired colleagues and area pastors for a “Goodbye to the Building Celebration” that included prayer, worship, and reflection on the biblical truth that following God often requires movement. 

“The people of God have been on the move many, many times,” Bishop Linda Adams reminded the FMCUSA co-workers. “There’s something symbolic and wonderful about being a people on the move and having the ends of the earth in our sights.

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“We are on the verge of becoming a movement again, and what do movements do but move?”

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The Free Methodist Church is growing rapidly around the world, and denominational leaders are also expecting renewed movement at home. 

“I want to say to you, my brothers and sisters who support the local and global Free Methodist work, that we are on the verge of becoming a movement again, and what do movements do but move?” said Adams who, before becoming bishop in 2019, worked at the World Ministries Center building while serving as the director of ICCM for 11 years. “Our mission is igniting a Spirit-fueled movement that catalyzes the multiplication of leaders and churches.”

Adams asked, “Will you pray with me as together we believe God that He will be igniting a Spirit-fueled movement? Not a monument — a movement, and we’ll run to catch up with Him.”

A Better Fit

Chief Operating Officer Mark Dowley noted that the previous denominational headquarters in Winona Lake, Indiana, had approximately 80 to 85 employees at the time of the February 1990 move to Indianapolis. The number of onsite staff is much smaller now, and denominational leaders decided last year to find a more efficient building that would be the appropriate size for the current workforce.  

“With 40 staff now in the building and armed with new skills and methods learned through COVID, we can operate in a smaller space. The new space is 17,000 square feet. This building’s 41,000 square feet,” Dowley said during the gathering in the large conference room of the High School Road building. “That [new space] will fit us better. We can also accommodate those who enjoy working remotely, but if everyone is in the building at the same time, we have a spot for them. It will also cost us less to operate the new building — freeing up resources for ministries.” 

Dowley pointed out that the World Ministries Center moved in 1990 from College Avenue in Winona Lake to High School Road in Indianapolis. This time, however, the center won’t have an educational address. It will relocate to 5235 Decatur Blvd. near the Indianapolis International Airport. Instead of going to that address, however, all mail for the World Ministries Center should now be directed to Free Methodist Church USA, P.O. Box 51710, Indianapolis, IN 46251.

“This time, we’re moving eight miles down the road. No one needs to relocate,” Dowley said. 

The building currently is being renovated, and Dowley said the hope is to move into it by early May. In the meantime, a few workers will share temporary office space while the majority of employees will work remotely during the transition. Dowley said a dedication service and an open house will be held when the Decatur Boulevard building is ready to be occupied. 

BOA Decision

In an executive session on Oct. 9, 2021, the FMCUSA Board of Administration (BOA) overwhelmingly voted in favor of selling the High School Road facility and relocating. Last June, the BOA voted to place the building on the market. Dowley, the Board of Bishops, and the BOA considered three critical factors: stewardship of FMCUSA resources and an increase in real estate prices, cultural and workplace shifts arising from the pandemic, and realities of the High School Road facility such as the need to spend $800,000 in maintenance over the next eight to ten years and $340,000 in the next three years for repairs and upgrades.

Debt-free ownership of the High School Road property combined with increases in the market signaled that now was the right time to list the property, FMCUSA leaders said. Listing proved fruitful as a pending purchase agreement was submitted by an agricultural company. Dowley presented to the BOA several financial scenarios that included remaining at the High School Road location, relocating to leased space, and purchasing a new facility. Taking all these scenarios into account and factors including operating costs and maintenance over the next decade, FMCUSA leaders decided the most cost-effective solution was to sell and relocate to a newly purchased property.

“Remote work opportunities,” said the bishops in an Oct. 5, 2021, letter to the BOA, “mean that new (World Ministries Center) team members are as likely to live away from Indianapolis as in Indianapolis. Decentralization is here to stay.”

The new building will include the Marston Memorial Historical Center and a new distribution center for SEED and the Light + Life Bookstore.

Faithfulness and Expectancy

Communications Director Brett Heintzman led in worship during the celebration, which included a special version of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Along with the hymn’s traditional lyrics, present and past World Ministries Center employees sang:

“Lord, You have given this place for Your glory

And we have used it to honor Your name. 

Mem’ries come flooding our minds ever sweetly. 

Thank You for all You have done through this place. 

Great is Thy faithfulness. Great is Thy faithfulness.

With open hands, we return it to Thee. 

Now we look forward to new seasons dawning. 

Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord blessed are we.”

In the closing benediction, Bishop Emeritus David Kendall expressed thanks to God for “the faithfulness that has brought us to this moment.” Kendall noted there had been previous attempts to sell the building, “but the timing wasn’t right, and now the time has come.” He prayed, “Lord, we are grateful for the hope that wells up in our hearts as we think about this transition and all that it will open up for a people called Free Methodists.” +