BUMC

What BUMC does

Bethesda United Methodist Church (BUMC), legally Bethesda United Methodist Church and DBA "BUMC," is a nonprofit religious organization founded in 1914 in Bethesda, Maryland, currently operating from its sanctuary on Huntington Parkway and affiliated with the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. Its core offerings span weekly in-person worship services (10:00 AM Sundays, with an additional 11:00 AM service during the school year) and a YouTube livestream, age-segmented faith formation programs (Children's Ministries, United Methodist Youth Fellowship, and Adult Ministries including Bible study, small groups, Men's Group, Women's Ministry, Empty Nesters, and a Support Group for Families Living With Dementia), an extensive music ministry (Praise Band, Sanctuary Choir, Bethesda Bells, Church Folk, Children's Choir), life-event services (baptisms, weddings, funerals), and an external-facing service portfolio covering Racial Justice, Gun Violence Prevention, Hunger and Feeding Ministries, Foster Care Ministry, and advocacy partnerships.

Its underlying technology is modest: YouTube livestreaming for remote participation, the Breeze church management platform, and standard office and communication tooling. It is not a technology company and has no proprietary software, APIs, AI systems, or patents. The business model is a congregational giving model rather than a commercial one: recurring tithes and Sunday offerings, annual pledge campaigns, planned-giving instruments (estate bequests, IRAs, appreciated securities), and donations of cash and securities form the primary revenue base, supplemented by modest fees for life-event services such as weddings and funerals. Membership and participation are free; the go-to-market approach is community-led, relying on pastoral relationships, word-of-mouth, community partnerships (Bethesda Help, Martha's Table, Interfaith Works, Bethesda Cares, Bread for the City, Manna Foodbank, A Wider Circle, Heifer International, and others), the monthly Messenger newsletter, and a web presence at washmorefeet.org.

Name

BUMC

Legal name

Bethesda United Methodist Church

Website

https://washmorefeet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bethesda United Methodist Church is a nonprofit Methodist congregation founded in 1914 in Bethesda, Maryland, offering worship, faith formation, music, and life-event services to local members while operating food, foster-care, and social-justice outreach ministries through regional nonprofit partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAA

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

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAG

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Faith formation programs
• Community outreach
• Pastoral care services
• Life event services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Regular Sunday offerings from congregation members providing the primary financial support for church operations and ministries.
2. Pledge Campaigns: Annual stewardship campaign where congregants make financial pledges towards church ministries for the coming year.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy gift program allowing congregants to make estate gifts to BUMC through various options including specific bequests, residuary bequests, and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.
4. Cash and Appreciated Securities: Donations of cash and appreciated securities (stocks, mutual funds, ETFs) with potential tax deduction benefits and capital gains avoidance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bethesda United Methodist Church (BUMC) is a congregation of the United Methodist Church offering weekly in-person and livestreamed worship services, faith formation programs for all ages (Sunday School, youth fellowship, adult Bible study), pastoral services for life events (baptisms, weddings, funerals), and community outreach ministries including hunger relief, foster care support, racial justice, and gun violence prevention. The church operates under the "Wash More Feet" servant ministry mission and is affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network.

Product overview

Bethesda United Methodist Church (BUMC) is a church organization offering a portfolio of spiritual and community services centered around worship, education, music, and outreach. The core offerings include weekly worship services (in-person and livestreamed), Sunday School programs for all ages, diverse music ministries (Praise Band, Sanctuary Choir, Bethesda Bells, Church Folk, Children's Choir), children's programs (Kids With Purpose, nursery, Vacation Bible School), youth fellowship (UMYF), adult ministries (Bible study, small groups, Men's Group, Women's Ministry, Empty Nesters), life event services (baptisms, weddings, funerals), and community outreach including racial justice, hunger relief, and foster care support. These programs work together to fulfill the church's 'Wash More Feet' mission of service and spiritual growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Worship Services

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bethesda HelpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBUMC supports Bethesda Help through monthly food drives on the first Sunday of each month. Bethesda Help provides food assistance to Montgomery County neighbors in need. The partnership provides a consistent channel for community members to donate non-perishable food items.
• Martha's TablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcKenna's Wagon is a ministry of Martha's Table. Once monthly, BUMC collects sandwiches and trail mix for McKenna's Wagon to distribute to people in need in Washington, DC. This partnership extends BUMC's service reach beyond the local community to the broader metro area.
• Interfaith WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal interfaith organization providing services to those in need. BUMC participates in volunteer activities and support of Interfaith Works programs.
• Bethesda CaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization serving individuals experiencing homelessness. BUMC supports through volunteer efforts and advocacy.
• Bread for the CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDC-based organization providing food, clothing, and medical care to underserved communities. BUMC supports through service and financial contributions.
• Manna FoodbankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional food bank serving the greater Washington area. BUMC participates in food drives and awareness campaigns.
• A Wider CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing essential furnishings and support to individuals and families in need. BUMC volunteers and donates to support their mission.
• Heifer InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization. BUMC's Kids With Purpose program has raised funds for Heifer International gifts for people in other countries, teaching children about global service.
• Marylanders to Prevent Gun ViolenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide advocacy organization. BUMC participates in their initiatives and educational events on gun violence prevention.
• United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (VIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational and international mission program of the United Methodist Church. BUMC youth and adults participate in service trips to disaster recovery areas including New Orleans, Charleston, Mescalero (NM), the Bahamas, Trenton (NJ), and Belize.
• Children's Defense FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization focused on children. BUMC supports through participation in their annual Children's Sabbath Program each October.
• Methodists United for Peace with JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMethodist advocacy organization working for peace and justice. BUMC supports their advocacy efforts nationally.
• Baltimore-Washington Conference (UMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe annual conference of the United Methodist Church that provides connectional support, resources, and clergy deployment for BUMC. BUMC participates in conference initiatives and events.
• Chevy Chase UMC and Concord-St. AndrewsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner churches in the Bethesda area. Through a hub partnership, BUMC youth participate in joint activities with these congregations, expanding youth ministry opportunities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dumbarton United Methodist Church: An inclusive UMC congregation in Washington, DC known for progressive theology and community outreach. Comparable to BUMC as a mid-sized, service-oriented United Methodist church with strong local ministry programs.
• Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church: A historic progressive UMC in downtown Washington, DC with strong social justice programs. Comparable to BUMC in theological orientation, UMC denominational structure, and emphasis on outreach to underserved communities.
• Foundry United Methodist Church: An inclusive, progressive United Methodist Church in Washington, DC with a Reconciling Ministries Network affiliation. Directly comparable to BUMC in theology, inclusivity stance, denominational affiliation, and community-service orientation, serving the same DC metro area.
• Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church: A progressive mainline Protestant congregation also located in Bethesda, MD. Comparable to BUMC as a similarly-sized neighborhood church competing for the same Bethesda demographic of inclusive, educated congregants.
• Chevy Chase United Methodist Church: A nearby United Methodist Church that partners with BUMC on youth ministry through a hub arrangement. Comparable as a local UMC in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area with similar denominational structure and Bethesda-area congregant base.
• Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation: A progressive, inclusive congregation in Bethesda, MD. Comparable to BUMC as a similarly-sized neighborhood church with explicit inclusivity commitments competing for the same progressive Bethesda demographic.
• Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church: An inclusive UMC in Washington, DC with a Reconciling Ministries Network affiliation. Comparable to BUMC in theological stance, denominational affiliation, and emphasis on service and social justice in the DC metro region.
• Concord St. Andrews United Methodist Church: A Bethesda-area UMC that partners with BUMC on joint youth ministry. Comparable as a local United Methodist congregation in the Bethesda market with similar denominational ties and congregant demographics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGjIieCEt8JnPGeySsl47jA
• Xx.com/bethesdaumcmd
• Facebookfacebook.com/BethesdaUMCMD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bumc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 BUMC