Clear Lake United Methodist Church

What Clear Lake United Methodist Church does

Clear Lake United Methodist Church (CLUMC) is a nonprofit religious congregation established in the 1960s, operating a single campus at 16335 El Camino Real in Houston, Texas, as part of the United Methodist Church (Texas Annual Conference). It serves the Clear Lake community through three distinct Sunday worship experiences — Traditional Sanctuary Worship, The S P A C E Contemporary Worship, and Celebración (Hispanic worship service) — plus an extensive ministry portfolio covering children, youth, adults, care/grief support, missions, and a 16,000-item library that was recognized as National Library of the Year in 1993. The congregation engages members through a digital ecosystem built on third-party platforms: the FaithConnector website, the Connect mobile app (Realm/ACS Technologies) for directory, groups, RSVPs, and giving, and a livestream/podcast presence including the CLUMC Matters podcast launched in May 2026.

The church operates on a voluntary donation model with 23 employees. Revenue is derived primarily from tithes and offerings (collected via in-service giving, online, Auto-Give EFT, and mail), CLUMC Foundation legacy gifts and bequests ($133,656 invested as of March 31, 2026 with a $500,000 target by December 31, 2029), and pass-through grocery affinity programs (Kroger Community Rewards, Randalls Remarkable Card). The customer base is a local congregation segmented into children/families, students, adults, care recipients, the Hispanic community, and broader community/outreach partners such as Houston Food Bank (Kid's Café) and Clear Lake City Elementary.

CLUMC is currently in financial restructuring under its "Prune to Grow" initiative in response to a 2025 operating deficit of approximately $179,000 (~$289,000 with debt service) and a two-decade decline in average worship attendance. Restructuring actions include closure of the preschool program (which absorbed more than $500,000 in operating subsidies over three years) effective July 31, 2026, reduction of clergy from five positions to three full-time and one part-time effective July 1, 2026, and creation of new staff roles (Director of Children's Ministry, Director of Communications).

Name

Clear Lake United Methodist Church

Legal name

Clear Lake United Methodist Church

Website

https://clearlakemethodist.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clear Lake United Methodist Church is a Houston-area Methodist congregation founded in the 1960s offering three worship styles, multi-generational ministry programs, a 16,000-item library, and digital engagement via its Connect app, funded by member tithes and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Worship Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Faith-based community programs
• Children and youth ministry
• Pastoral care services
• Christian discipleship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: The church receives tithes and offerings from congregation members during worship services and through various giving methods including online giving, Auto-Give (EFT), mail, and in-person contributions. This is the primary revenue stream supporting all church ministries.
2. Foundation Donations: The CLUMC Foundation receives legacy gifts, bequests, stocks, IRA/retirement account donations, trusts, and memorial gifts. As of March 31, 2026, the Foundation had $133,656 invested with a goal of $500,000 by December 31, 2029.
3. Retail Rewards Programs: The church participates in Kroger Community Rewards and Randalls Remarkable card programs where a percentage of member purchases are donated to the church.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Clear Lake United Methodist Church is a Methodist congregation that conducts weekly Sunday worship services in three styles (Traditional Sanctuary, The S P A C E Contemporary, and Celebración Hispanic), weeknight prayer and Bible study gatherings, and a full ministry slate including children's Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, youth ministry, adult Connect Groups and Discipleship Pathway, pastoral care/GriefShare, and community outreach such as the Kid's Café (Houston Food Bank partnership) and Clear Lake Buddies school partnership. It also runs a 16,000-item church library, a CLUMC Matters podcast, online video archives, live streaming, and the CLUMC Foundation for legacy/estate giving.

Product overview

Clear Lake United Methodist Church operates as a multi-site congregation offering both physical and digital engagement through its website platform (built on FaithConnector) and the Connect mobile app (built on Realm/ACS Technologies). The church provides three distinct worship experiences: Traditional Sanctuary Worship, The S P A C E Contemporary Worship, and Celebración (Hispanic ministry), all available in-person and via live stream. The digital portfolio includes a video archive of sermons, the CLUMC Matters podcast, and online giving through Realm. Physical ministry programs include the Church Library (16,000+ items), Kid's Café (Houston Food Bank partnership), Clear Lake Buddies (school partnership), and the CLUMC Foundation for legacy giving.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The S P A C E: Contemporary worship service held in Wesley Center
• Celebración
• CLUMC Foundation
• CLUMC Matters

Products and services

• Traditional Sanctuary Worship Traditional Methodist worship service held in the Sanctuary at 9:00am and 10:30am on Sundays featuring hymns, organ, and classic liturgical elements for worshippers preferring a traditional worship style.
• The S P A C E Contemporary Worship Contemporary worship service held in Wesley Center at 9:00am featuring modern music, multimedia, and casual atmosphere for worshippers seeking a modern service.
• Celebración Hispanic Worship Hispanic worship service held at 12:00pm on Sundays in the Sanctuary and via Facebook Live, providing Spanish-language worship experience led by the Pastor of Hispanic Ministries.
• Connect - Our Church Community Mobile App Mobile application for iPhone and Android enabling church members to communicate with groups, RSVP to events, manage giving, update profile information, and access the church directory.
• CLUMC Matters Podcast Podcast exploring faith and life topics featuring the people, stories, and ministries shaping Clear Lake United Methodist Church, hosted by Senior Pastor Brad.
• Live Stream Worship Live streaming of worship services including Sanctuary Worship, The S P A C E Contemporary Worship, and Celebración via website and Facebook Live, enabling remote participation.
• Video Archives (Sermon Library) Online archive of worship services including Contemporary Worship, Traditional Worship, Celebración (Hispanic ministry), and special events with searchable sermon library by speaker and series.
• Realm Online Giving / Auto-Give EFT Online giving platform integrated with Connect app enabling members to set up scheduled recurring gifts, one-time donations, view giving history, and manage Auto-Give through Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Church Library Library with collection of over 16,000 books and media for adults, youth, and children, operating with automated database and circulation system; includes books, CDs, DVDs, and audio-visual equipment.
• Kid's Café Partnership program with Houston Food Bank providing free meals to children ages 0-18 in the Fellowship Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• CLUMC Foundation Legacy Giving Program Endowment and legacy giving program receiving bequests, stocks, IRA/retirement account donations, trusts, and memorial gifts to provide long-term financial support for church ministries.
• Clear Lake UMC Website (FaithConnector) Church website built on FaithConnector platform providing information about worship times, ministries, events, news, online giving, and community resources, with a Spanish toggle.
• Children's Ministry Programs (Sunday School, VBS, Choirs) Children's spiritual formation programs including Sunday School classes, Children's Choirs, Children's Moment during worship, and Vacation Bible School for children from birth through elementary age.
• Student / Youth Ministry Programs for middle school, high school and college-age students including youth group activities, Impact programs, and movie nights.
• Adult Connect Groups & Discipleship Pathway Small-group and adult formation ministries for adults of all ages including Connect Groups, Adult Bible studies, the Monday Morning Bible Discussion Group, and the Discipleship Pathway program for spiritual growth.
• Care Ministries (GriefShare, Prayer, Pastoral Care) Congregational care including prayer requests, the GriefShare grief-counseling program, funeral reception volunteers, and pastoral care during life transitions.
• Clear Lake Buddies School Partnership Volunteer partnership with Clear Lake City Elementary supporting the local school community, where members can sign up to become Clear Lake Buddies and assist students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450+ patients helped with glasses; 83 cataract surgeries performed on Fiji mission trip
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Partnerships

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

• Texas Methodist FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2026In September 2026, the Texas Methodist Foundation will host sessions at CLUMC titled 'YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS' to educate members about legacy giving opportunities and ways to contribute to the CLUMC Foundation as part of their estate planning. This is a significant partnership for the church's long-term financial sustainability.
• Houston Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClear Lake UMC has partnered with the Houston Food Bank to operate the Kid's Café program, providing free meals to all children ages 0 to 18 in the Fellowship Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This addresses food insecurity in the community and is a meaningful outreach ministry of the church.
• Clear Lake City ElementarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClear Lake UMC maintains a partnership with Clear Lake City Elementary through the Clear Lake Buddies program, where church volunteers support the school community. This is a community outreach initiative where members can sign up to become Clear Lake Buddies and support local students.
• Kroger Community RewardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClear Lake UMC participates in the Kroger Community Rewards program, where a percentage of purchases made with a Kroger Plus Card or linked phone number is donated to the church. Members can enroll at krogercommunityrewards.com and select Clear Lake United Methodist Church as their charity.
• Randalls Remarkable CardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough the Randalls Remarkable card program, a portion of the value of Randalls purchases can be donated to Clear Lake UMC. Members complete a form and bring it to their local Randalls customer service counter to designate the church.
• Benevolent Mission International (BMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClear Lake UMC participates in international mission trips through BMI. Pastor Brad Morgan and his wife Laura joined a BMI team to Fiji, where they helped over 450 patients with glasses and provided 83 cataract surgeries. The United Methodist Women of Clear Lake UMC donated glasses for the trip. This partnership enables the church to serve internationally.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• FaithConnector: Website platform vendor used by Clear Lake UMC and many other UMC congregations; an ecosystem/infrastructure provider relevant to how the church runs its digital front door.
• ACS Technologies (Realm/Connect): Church management software vendor powering the Connect app and Realm giving platform used by Clear Lake UMC; an enabling technology peer for member engagement and stewardship operations.

Direct peers

• Memorial Drive United Methodist Church: Major Houston-area United Methodist Church with multiple worship styles, large staff, and significant community ministries; directly comparable denominationally and in operating scope.
• Chapelwood United Methodist Church: Houston-area United Methodist Church with multiple campuses and contemporary/traditional worship options; comparable in scale, denomination, and multi-style service strategy.
• St. Paul's United Methodist Church (Houston): Another large Houston-area United Methodist Church offering multiple worship styles and broad programming, providing a directly comparable denominational peer in the same metropolitan region.
• First United Methodist Church Houston: Flagship downtown Houston UMC congregation serving a broad demographic with multiple services and extensive community outreach; directly comparable denominationally and operationally.

Broad incumbents

• Lakewood Church: Very large Houston-area megachurch with extensive digital/media distribution and broad community programming; comparable in regional Houston footprint and multi-channel engagement strategy, though much larger in scale.
• Second Baptist Church Houston: Large established Houston-area congregation with multiple worship venues, extensive programming, and broad community outreach; comparable in scale and service diversity but a different denomination.
• Houston's First Baptist Church: Major Baptist congregation in the Houston metro with multiple campuses, contemporary/traditional services, and broad community programming; comparable in operational scale but different denomination.

Regional players

• FaithBridge United Methodist Church: Texas Methodist congregation offering comparable ministry programming and worship options; useful denominational peer though typically outside the immediate Clear Lake catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clearlakeumc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWL9eVvpm0Xl7N2QV64ZQcg
• Facebookfacebook.com/clearlakeumc
• Instagraminstagram.com/clearlakeumc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clearlakeumc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Clear Lake United Methodist Church