Lake travis umc free to rise celebration sunday.

Lake Travis United Methodist Church is celebrating a milestone that once seemed years away: becoming debt-free.

Through its Free to Rise campaign, the congregation paid off approximately $2 million in debt in less than a year, freeing resources that can now be directed toward ministry, outreach and the future of the church.

Conversations about addressing the church’s debt began in April 2025 as leaders looked ahead to a significant increase in the adjustable interest rate established during the COVID years. The increase was expected to add approximately $60,000 a year to the church’s expenses, on top of the roughly $200,000 it was already paying annually toward the note.

The church began the process in earnest at the end of September 2025, working with Horizons Stewardship and facilitator Don Smith, a former United Methodist pastor.

The campaign was named Free to Rise, with a vision not only to eliminate debt but also to fund projects associated with the church’s preschool and, most importantly, turn “mortgage into ministry.”

Pastor Jason said the congregation initially had questions about why the campaign was necessary, how the church had reached this point and whether eliminating the debt was even possible. Church leaders approached the process with transparency, openly discussing the debt and the effect it could have on future ministry and growth.

“Once the vision was laid out, the congregation responded with generosity and enthusiasm,” he said.

The campaign set an initial goal of $2.1 million. The response surpassed expectations, with approximately $2.8 million pledged over three years.

“When the first pledges started coming in, I was absolutely blown away by the level of commitment and generosity,” Pastor Jason said. “You could say my heart was strangely warmed!”

Two individual generous gifts — one for $600,000 and another for $300,000 — were among the many contributions that helped the church reach its goal. The campaign also brought together dozens of church members who contributed financially and shared their spiritual gifts, professional experience and time to make the effort a success.

“It was a true team effort by dozens of members,” he said. “It was the church ‘being the church.’”

That spirit of generosity allowed the church to reach its debt-free milestone much sooner than anticipated. The campaign itself continues, with approximately $800,000 in pledges still expected over the next two years.

For those who helped lead the effort, the accomplishment represents both financial freedom and new possibilities for ministry.

“For the 28 years I’ve served on this church staff, the church has been under the weight and pressure of building debt. This milestone means freedom,” said Pastor Patty Highland. “Freedom from debt means the church can shift our financial focus from our bricks and mortar building to more fully fund the building of the Kingdom of God.”

Rob Roosa described Free to Rise as “a clear, powerful example of God’s ability to inspire his people,” pointing to the way members came together across multiple committees and accelerated their commitments, allowing the church to eliminate its debt in less than a year.

Gil Cloyd reflected on the question that guided the campaign: “God, what do you want to do through me?”

“Our Christian brothers and sisters in the church responded to God’s calling enthusiastically, so that our church can rapidly expand the ministries of our Lord,” Cloyd said.

For Lake Travis UMC, becoming debt-free means the church can respond more quickly to needs in its community and beyond while removing financial barriers to strengthening existing ministries and discerning where God may be calling the congregation next. It also means the church’s preschool will receive a badly needed new playground.

Pastor Jason sees the accomplishment as another reminder of what can happen when a congregation trusts God and moves forward together.

“God is in charge, and when we trust in Him to lead us, amazing and beautiful things can happen,” he said.

He also sees the milestone as part of the church’s long-term future.

“Personally, I will rest easier when I eventually leave LTUMC, knowing that I have left them in a much stronger financial position,” he said. “This should allow them to continue to be a beacon of hope and strength and service for this community for years to come.”

For Lake Travis UMC, Free to Rise has become more than the name of a campaign. With the weight of debt lifted, the congregation is now free to turn mortgage into ministry — and look toward what God is calling them to do next.

This story was written with information and reflections provided by Pastor Jason of Lake Travis United Methodist Church.