Suncreek United Methodist Church
Encyclopedia
33°6′0.04"N 96°42′31.93"W
Suncreek United Methodist Church of (Allen
, Texas
) is part of the North Texas Conference
of the United Methodist Church
. The church was started in 1995 and was officially constituted as a United Methodist Church on September 22, 1996.
The church was made momentarily notorious on February 19, 2005 as the location from which Republican 3rd Texas District Congressman Sam Johnson
proposed attacking Syria
with nuclear weapons in response to his assumption that Syria was harboring many of Iraq's supposed WMDs. The claim that Iraq initially had such weapons served as a pretext for the United States to invade and occupy that country.
This event was attended primarily by older veterans from Plano, Allen, and McKinney
. Many laughed and clapped after this statement and interpreted it as humor. Part of the humor centered on Johnson, a senior adult, saying that he tried to convince George W. Bush
that he should let Johnson pilot the plane for this mission. Some responded with silence and later expressed that they found the statement offensive; although, they knew that it was intended as a joke.
Suncreek United Methodist Church also received considerable media attention following Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball's, Senior Pastor, experience with stage 4 cancer in early 2007. She shared this diagnosis openly with the congregation and continues to preach most Sundays. Instead of responding with sluggish caution during this crisis. The church experienced what some called a spiritual awakening in which many persons reflected on what really mattered to them versus what was trivial. Many committed to live out their lives with a greater sense of gratitude for loved ones and to nurture a faith that can weather a major crisis.
The church experienced unprecedented membership growth and worship attendance. It moved forward with several construction projects. It heaped love and support upon its pastor. Many grew closer to their pastor. There was a sense that Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball
faced this illness with great courage, faith, and integrity. Many noted that she really was practicing what she was preaching in a bold way. Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball died in the fall of 2008.
, John Holbert, Scott J. Jones
, Richard B. Wilke
, and James W. Moore
.
Suncreek United Methodist Church of (Allen
Allen, Texas
Allen is a city in Collin County, Texas, United States, a northern suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 census the city had a total population of 84,246.-Geography:According to the City of Allen, the city has a total area of...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) is part of the North Texas Conference
North Texas Conference
The North Texas Conference is an Annual Conference . This conference encompasses a triangle-shaped northern portion of the state of Texas that spans from Dallas to Wichita Falls to Paris. The conference includes a small geographic area relative to most annual conferences...
of the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
. The church was started in 1995 and was officially constituted as a United Methodist Church on September 22, 1996.
The church was made momentarily notorious on February 19, 2005 as the location from which Republican 3rd Texas District Congressman Sam Johnson
Sam Johnson
Samuel Robert "Sam" Johnson is an American politician and a retired career U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot. He currently is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 3rd District of Texas...
proposed attacking Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
with nuclear weapons in response to his assumption that Syria was harboring many of Iraq's supposed WMDs. The claim that Iraq initially had such weapons served as a pretext for the United States to invade and occupy that country.
This event was attended primarily by older veterans from Plano, Allen, and McKinney
McKinney, Texas
McKinney is a city in and the county seat of Collin County, Texas, United States, and the second in population to Plano. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 131,117 The Census Bureau listed McKinney as the nation's fastest growing city from 2000 to 2003 and again in...
. Many laughed and clapped after this statement and interpreted it as humor. Part of the humor centered on Johnson, a senior adult, saying that he tried to convince George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
that he should let Johnson pilot the plane for this mission. Some responded with silence and later expressed that they found the statement offensive; although, they knew that it was intended as a joke.
Suncreek United Methodist Church also received considerable media attention following Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball's, Senior Pastor, experience with stage 4 cancer in early 2007. She shared this diagnosis openly with the congregation and continues to preach most Sundays. Instead of responding with sluggish caution during this crisis. The church experienced what some called a spiritual awakening in which many persons reflected on what really mattered to them versus what was trivial. Many committed to live out their lives with a greater sense of gratitude for loved ones and to nurture a faith that can weather a major crisis.
The church experienced unprecedented membership growth and worship attendance. It moved forward with several construction projects. It heaped love and support upon its pastor. Many grew closer to their pastor. There was a sense that Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball
Kathleen Baskin-Ball
Kathleen Baskin-Ball was an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She was ordained as deacon and probationary member of the North Texas Conference in 1983 and as elder and full member of the North Texas Conference in 1988. She received national recognition for her preaching, especially...
faced this illness with great courage, faith, and integrity. Many noted that she really was practicing what she was preaching in a bold way. Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball died in the fall of 2008.
Palmer Studies in the Faith
Suncreek United Methodist Church offers an annual lectureship entitled Palmer Studies in the Faith that has featured nationally acclaimed preachers including Zan Wesley Holmes JrZan Wesley Holmes Jr
Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr., is Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, where he served for 28 years.-Life:Dr...
, John Holbert, Scott J. Jones
Scott J. Jones
Scott Jameson Jones is an American Bishop of the United Methodist Church, elected in 2004. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee and raised in Illinois, Indiana and Colorado. -Family:...
, Richard B. Wilke
Richard B. Wilke
Bishop Richard B. Wilke created The DISCIPLE Bible Study with his wife, Julia. This training for Christian leaders has been completed by nearly two million graduates in more than 10,000 congregations and 30 denominations...
, and James W. Moore
James W. Moore
Dr. Rev. James W. “Jim” Moore is a bestselling author of over 40 books. He is Abingdon Press' top selling author. He is an acclaimed preacher and pastor. He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. He served as Senior Pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church –Houston from 1984 to...
.