Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray and Wendy Harmon.
Hi Ray and Wendy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our church started in March 2011. For 11 years we were portable. For 6 years we met at the Angelika Film Center in Plano. In 2020, we pivoted to online services and then eventually resumed in-person gatherings in June 2021 on Saturday nights at 1611 Wilmeth Rd, formerly Preston Trail Community Church – McKinney. On September 1, 2022, after many years of hard work, sacrifice and prayers, we closed on a 26,100 sq. foot facility: fully furnished, fully equipped with state-of-the-art tech, etc. PAID IN FULL! Debt-free…exactly as we had prayed.
And God used one of our church members to do it. And the amazing part of this story is that only 5 years ago, this generous individual needed money for tires for his pickup truck. When he gave him the check for the tires, he looked me in the eye and said, “I will write the first million-dollar check to our church.” 5 years later, through God’s amazing blessing on his life and business, he singlehandedly paid for our multi-million-dollar facility.
For years we had asked God to do a notable miracle for our church (Acts 4:16). And He did! Exactly as we had prayed. For a building that was:
1. Strategically located: highly visible and easily accessible
2. Large enough for our current and future ministry needs
3. Affordably priced or FREE
And God answered.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a road filled with bumps and bruises, trials, and some triumphs. Some of those challenges were: Not being able to afford a building of our own
The constant wear and tear on our volunteers from set up and tear down
Second-guessing our calling and our leadership abilities
Attrition from members not believing we would grow beyond the movie theater
The COVID-19 pandemic
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a church planter/pastor. My wife and I launched City Church, now Converge Church, in March 2011.
1. My wife and I are best known for our practical, humorous, theologically sound but culturally relevant teaching.
2. We are most proud of the ethnic, multi-generational, and socio-economic diversity of our church
3. Our authenticity and transparency as leaders sets up apart, and this choice to “lead with a limp” has permeated our church culture.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
In the words of Dory to Marlon in Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming.” The fulfillment of the dream may not be immediate, but it is inevitable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.weareconverge.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/weareconverge
- Facebook: facebook.com/weareconverge.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/we_are_converge
- Youtube: youtube.com/weareconverge.com
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/converge-church-mckinney?osq=Converge+Church
Image Credits
Leah Isom
