St. Luke's United Methodist Church

What St. Luke's United Methodist Church does

St. Luke's United Methodist Church is a Houston-based, non-profit United Methodist congregation founded in 1945 with its main campus at 3471 Westheimer Road and two satellite campuses — the multi-cultural Gethsemane campus at 6856 Bellaire Blvd. (services in English, Spanish, and Swahili) and the modern-style branches Worship Community at a separate building on the Westheimer site. It operates as a local congregation within The United Methodist Church denomination, led by Senior Pastor Dr. Tom Pace and Executive Pastor Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears, and serves Houston-area residents across every life stage through age-segmented ministries (children from 2 months through 5th grade, 6th-12th grade students, adults, and senior adults 65+), pastoral care (Stephen Ministers, GriefShare, DivorceCare), music and fine arts (150+ adults across Chancel Choir, handbell choirs, Tapestry Players theater, and Bridges Academy), and special-needs ministry.

The organization runs a "Family of Ministries" portfolio of eight wholly-owned subsidiaries: branches Worship Community, Gethsemane Church, Bridges Academy of Fine Arts, Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, St. Luke's Day School, St. Luke's Summer Camp, The Garden Community Youth Center, and the St. Luke's Methodist Church Foundation (established 1961 to manage the endowment). Its technology stack is built on SaaS integrations — Subsplash for the mobile app, devotional content, event registration, and online giving; Constant Contact for email newsletters; Paylocity for HR/recruiting; TicketLeap for music-event ticketing; SignUpGenius for volunteer coordination; plus Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for community engagement and livestream distribution of Traditional and Contemporary worship services.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed but is generated from multiple streams: recurring tithes and offerings (with ACH/debit/credit, stock, wire, IRA QCD, and Donor Advised Fund options via the Subsplash online giving portal); fee-based life-event services (Sanctuary rental up to $3,500 non-member, Chapel rental up to $2,000 non-member, $500 minister honorarium, columbarium niches at $4,500 and walkway stones at $1,500); tuition at Day School, Summer Camp, Bridges Academy lessons, and Nick Finnegan Counseling sessions; support-group fees (GriefShare $20, DivorceCare $25); Foundation endowment investment earnings; and an annual $50,000 Houston Project grant program to community non-profits.

Name

St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Legal name

St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Website

https://stlukesmethodist.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

St. Luke's United Methodist Church is a Houston-based non-profit congregation founded in 1945, operating three campuses (Westheimer, Gethsemane, branches) with online worship, age-tiered ministries, and eight affiliated ministries including a day school, counseling center, summer camp, fine arts academy, and 1961 endowment foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Religious Music & Worship Broadcasting (MPABALAN)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Christian ministry programs
• Faith formation education
• Pastoral counseling services
• Community outreach missions

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary giving from congregants based on percentage of income commitment. Primary revenue source supporting worship, programs, pastoral care, mission trips, and community projects.
2. Online and Mobile Giving: ACH/Debit/Credit card donations via website or Subsplash app, stock donations, wire transfers, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, Donor Advised Fund gifts.
3. Wedding Facility Rental: Sanctuary (holds 1,000) and Chapel (holds 100) rental fees: Sanctuary Member $2,500/Non-Member $3,500; Chapel Member $1,400/Non-Member $2,000; plus Minister Honorarium $500 and optional services.
4. Memorial Garden Niches: Columbarium niche sales with granite marker: $4,500; Memorial Walkway stones: $1,500.
5. St. Luke's Methodist Church Foundation: Endowment established 1961 to benefit programs, ministries, building improvements. Managed by Foundation Board of Directors with investment earnings supporting church mission.
6. Affiliated Ministry Operations: St. Luke's Day School, Summer Camp, Bridges Fine Arts Academy (music lessons), Nick Finnegan Counseling Center operate as part of the family of ministries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

St. Luke's United Methodist Church is a non-profit religious congregation that delivers weekly worship services (Traditional, Contemporary, branches modern, and Gethsemane multi-cultural in English/Spanish/Swahili) across three Houston campuses and online livestream. Beyond worship, it runs age-based ministries (Children, Students, Adults, Senior Adults), Music & Fine Arts programming, outreach/missions, pastoral caring ministries, and a Special Needs ministry. It also operates paid affiliated ministries: St. Luke's Day School, Summer Camp, Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, Bridges Fine Arts Academy, The Garden Community Youth Center, and a Memorial Garden columbarium.

Product overview

St. Luke's United Methodist Church offers a unified ministry portfolio centered on worship services and faith formation programs across multiple campuses and delivery channels. The core offerings include Traditional Worship Services, Contemporary Worship, branches Worship Community, and Gethsemane Campus services (multilingual in English, Spanish, and Swahili), plus Online Worship with livestream and on-demand capabilities. The church provides age-specific ministries including Children's Ministries, Student Ministries, Adult Ministries, and Senior Adult Ministries, along with specialized programs for Music and Fine Arts (choirs, theater), Outreach, Caring Ministry, and Special Needs Ministry. Additional services include Summer Camp, St. Luke's Day School, Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, Memorial Garden, and the Scripture+Shared Bible study program delivered via a mobile app. All programs support the church's mission to equip families and individuals to live and love like Jesus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• branches Worship Community: Modern worship community for spiritually curious people to find belonging in Jesus
• Gethsemane Church
• Bridges Academy of Fine Arts
• Nick Finnegan Counseling Center
• St. Luke's Day School
• St. Luke's Summer Camp
• The Garden Community Youth Center
• Pure Sound Youth Choir
• Tapestry Players
• Rotunda Gallery
• Friends of Music

Products and services

• Traditional Worship Services Traditional worship services held at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary featuring familiar liturgy, weekly Holy Communion, and dynamic scripture-inspired messages by Dr. Tom Pace. Includes Chancel Choir performances and is open to all congregation members and visitors.
• Contemporary Worship Service Relaxed-atmosphere contemporary worship at 8:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall featuring a praise band, children's sermon, participatory prayer, and messages from Senior Pastor Dr. Tom Pace and Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears.
• branches Worship Community Modern worship experience at 11:00 a.m. for spiritually curious people seeking belonging in Jesus, led by Rev. Colin Bagby with Carrie Lelsz as worship leader. Features contemporary music and Holy Communion in a separate building on the Westheimer campus.
• Gethsemane Campus Worship Worship services at 9:30 a.m. at the Gethsemane campus (6856 Bellaire Blvd.) welcoming a multicultural community through services in English, Spanish, and Swahili, with Mercy Closet clothing pantry and community outreach programs.
• Online Worship / Livestream Livestream and on-demand access to Traditional (8:30, 9:45, 11 a.m.) and Contemporary (8:45, 11:15 a.m.) worship services for remote participation, including sermon library and Scripture+Shared Bible studies accessible via mobile app.
• Children's Ministries Faith formation program for children from 2 months through 5th grade including nursery care, Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., Children's Church at 11 a.m., and seasonal activities; led by Director Lori Fahrbach with Assistant Director Ashley McDonough.
• Student Ministries Ministry for 6th–12th grade students featuring worship, Bible studies, small groups, confirmation classes, retreats, and service projects. Programming on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesday night small groups; led by Director Dr. Rob Dulaney.
• Adult Ministries Faith formation and community programs for adults including Sunday school classes, Bible studies, men's and women's ministries, young adult ministry, and Working Faith ministry connecting faith and workplace; led by Director Katie Brooks.
• Senior Adult Ministries Programs for adults 65+ including Thursday with Friends gatherings, field trips, movies, service projects, games groups, and Silver Circle activities; led by Senior Adults Ministries staff Elizabeth Boudreaux.
• Music and Fine Arts Comprehensive music program including Chancel Choir (120 mixed voices), St. Cecilia Women's Choir, Veritas Men's Choir, Pure Sound Youth Choir, Chancel Bells handbell choir, and the Tapestry Players theater company. Includes Bridges Fine Arts Academy for music lessons. Led by Director Sid Davis.
• Outreach Ministry

Quantifiable outcome

• Chancel Choir comprises 120 mixed voices and the church has 150+ adults in music ministry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Project One Day (Houston Project Grant Recipient)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20252025 Houston Project grant recipient. Christ-centered nonprofit providing infant/toddler childcare with parent volunteer component.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20252025 Houston Project grant recipient. Uses sports to transform lives through middle/high school basketball and elementary leagues.
• CrossWalk CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20252025 Houston Project grant recipient. Christ-centered reentry program for individuals returning from Texas prisons, with 90% success rate.
• branches Worship CommunitycoreOthersModern worship expression of St. Luke's at 11 a.m. for spiritually curious people seeking belonging in Jesus. Led by Rev. Colin Bagby with Carrie Lelsz as worship leader.
• Gethsemane ChurchcoreOthersMulti-cultural worship campus in English, Spanish, and Swahili at 6856 Bellaire Blvd. Welcomes the Sharpstown/Gulfton community into kinship with Jesus.
• Nick Finnegan Counseling CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable counseling services one block west of main campus. Offers individual, family, premarital counseling and support groups. Executive Director: Mary Elizabeth Hand, MEd.
• St. Luke's Day SchoolcoreOthersEarly childhood education program with Director Vicky Kuehnel. Provides Christian foundation for young children.
• St. Luke's Summer CampcoreOthersAll-day summer camp for children entering 1st-8th grade featuring games, crafts, field trips, and adventures. Director: Derek Calderon.
• Bridges Fine Arts AcademyminorOthersMusic lessons (piano, organ, voice, violin, cello, guitar, percussion, flute, clarinet) with instructors holding advanced degrees. Part of Music & Fine Arts ministry.
• The Garden Community Youth CenterminorOthersYouth center serving the community as part of St. Luke's family of ministries.
• Amazing PlacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding community partner. Empowers families facing dementia and Alzheimer's through programs, caregiver training, and community education.
• Christian Community Service Center (CCSC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding community partner. Services include food pantry, clothing closet, utility/rental assistance, and workforce development.
• Connect CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding community partner. Focuses on Gulfton/Sharpstown neighborhood for education, housing, and wellness with cradle-to-career programs.
• Houston reVisionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding community partner. Breaks cycle of juvenile justice involvement and homelessness by connecting youth with mentors and resources.
• PX ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding community partner. Kitchen-based classroom for young adults exploring identity and learning transferable skills.
• The Restoration Team (TRT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding community partner. Home repair and disaster response nonprofit helping families after hurricanes and floods.
• Small Steps Nurturing Center (SSNC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding community partner. Early childhood program for economically at-risk children and families.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Second Baptist Church Houston: Large Houston-area Southern Baptist mega-church with multiple campuses and extensive family-of-ministries programming comparable in scope to St. Luke's community-led, multi-generational model.
• Houston's First Baptist Church: Multi-campus Baptist congregation in the Houston metro offering traditional, contemporary, and modern worship styles with family ministry and outreach comparable to St. Luke's portfolio.
• The Woodlands United Methodist Church: Large Houston-area United Methodist congregation with multi-campus worship, contemporary and traditional services, and extensive children's and student ministries comparable to St. Luke's structure.
• St. Paul United Methodist Church (Houston): Historic Houston United Methodist congregation offering traditional and Spanish-language services and community outreach; directly comparable as a same-denomination peer in the Houston metro.
• First United Methodist Church Houston: Flagship United Methodist congregation in downtown Houston operating under the same UMC denomination; directly comparable denominational structure, programming, and tithes-based revenue model.
• Memorial Drive United Methodist Church: Affluent Houston-area United Methodist Church sharing denominational affiliation with St. Luke's; comparable traditional worship emphasis, day school, and music ministry scale.
• St. Martin's Episcopal Church: Large Houston-area mainline congregation offering traditional and contemporary worship, day school, music programming, and outreach ministries paralleling St. Luke's family-of-ministries model.
• Klein United Methodist Church: Houston-area United Methodist congregation with multiple worship styles and contemporary programming operating under the same denominational structure as St. Luke's.

Regional players

• Christ Church Cathedral (Houston): Downtown Houston Episcopal cathedral offering traditional worship, music programming, and outreach; serves a different denominational tradition but comparable congregational scale and programming mix.

Broad incumbents

• Lakewood Church: One of the largest churches in the U.S. located in Houston; offers comparable multi-generational programming, broadcast reach, and online worship at a much larger scale than St. Luke's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stlukeshouston
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwE2_PRflMv-qs1iUo_oVeQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/stlukeshouston
• Instagraminstagram.com/stlukeshouston

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Luke's United Methodist Church