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  In 1952, a group of laypersons from First Church, Shreveport started the 1000 Club. Led by Bob Lay, the goal was to enlist 1000 people who would give ten dollars three times a year.  The money was used to help new churches get started.  Over the years, The Bob Lay Memorial 1000 Club has contributed over two million dollars and has helped over 100 churches (see below).
     As the years have gone by, the expenses of building a new churches have risen.  So the 1000 Club has tried to keep up. Each district is asked for a proportional amount of the $75,000 that is given to a church.  Funds given above a districts proportioan will be used in that district.

The Conference goal is to raise $150,000 annually.

1000 Club History

In 1952 under conference Lay Leader, Bob Lay, a unique program called the 1000 Club was begun under the auspices of the Conference Board of Laity.  1000 laity were asked to give $10 for a $10,000 building fund to donate three times annually to help build new Methodist churches.  Eash District Superintendent was asked to propose churches that wished to be recipients of these funds.  District 1000 Club Directors with the Conference Director as Chairperson met annually with all District Superintendents who had candidate churches.

Representatives from each candidate church made presentations to the Directors.  The Directors then made selections for recipients.  Changing times brought higher costs for building churches.  1000 Club policy changed to select only one church annually as recipient of 1000 Club funds.  That church received $30,000.  During Bishop Finis Crutchfield's tenure in the 1970s, at his urging, the selected new church received $50,000.  Later, that amount was raised to $75,000.  Bishop Bill Oden, in the late 1990s, created the Board of Church Extension and Revitalization.  Decisions to build new churches were given to the Board.  The 1000 Club Conference Director was included as a member of this Board.  The Board then recommended to the 1000 Club Directors a church to receive 1000 Club funds.  The 1000 Club Directors never selected any church for its funds that were not the Church Extension recommendations.

Districts have been left free to devise their own methods for fundraising.  Some Districts have a Century Club for members giving $100 annually.  Members can be enrolled for any size donation as regular members of the 1000 Club.  Some Districts have a variety of options for paying pledges.

The Shreveport District in the late 1990s began selling "shares" in the 1000 Club.  Shareholders enrolled in various levels of pledges and were issued shareholder certificates for their investments in new churches.  This District was especially successful using this method.

Mr. Herbert Moffett, a West Monroe resident, was the first Conference 1000 Club Director.  In 1975, he was succeeded by Mr. Cecil Bland who served until 1999, except for a three year period when Mr. Woody Atkinson of Lafayette served in that position.