Building Thriving Communities:A Year of Transformation with TCN

At the heart of every thriving congregation is a commitment to the well-being of the broader community. Transformational Communities Network (TCN), operating under the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, is a shining example of how churches can be catalysts for transformation. Through training, storytelling, and strategic collaboration, TCN equips locally embedded leaders to seek the shalom of their communities—because when the community flourishes, so do its people.

A Year of Impact

In 2024, TCN continued to grow, reaching 44 individuals through its flagship Homegrown Shalom cohort training. Congregations like El Principe de Paz UMC (Del Rio, TX), Travis Park UMC (San Antonio, TX), and Chapel Hill UMC (San Antonio, TX) actively engaged in reimagining their role in fostering community well-being. Participants crafted strategic plans addressing critical local needs—ranging from teen empowerment and environmental stewardship to urban revitalization and feeding ministries.

A key takeaway? Transformational work begins with relationships. Whether through monthly Storytelling Cafés, the Shalom Summit, or hands-on training in asset-based community development (ABCD), TCN created spaces for meaningful connection, learning, and action.

Innovation & Expansion

This year marked significant strides in accessibility and reach:

• The Homegrown Shalom curriculum was refined and translated into Spanish, making it more inclusive for diverse congregations.

• A custom Learning Management System (LMS) was developed to track engagement and support ongoing learning.

• The launch of the TCN Together App introduced a digital space for networking, resource sharing, and future volunteer coordination.

• The Good Futures Accelerator Curriculum was piloted in five churches, setting the stage for broader implementation in 2025.

  
  

Stories of Leadership & Joy

One of the most inspiring developments came from Travis Park UMC, where two women, initially joining the program in support roles, discovered a passion for community transformation. Their newfound leadership led to the launch of the Joy Division, a ministry dedicated to bringing joy to downtown San Antonio—and it’s already drawing new members into the congregation.

This story is just one of many that exemplifies TCN’s mission: equipping everyday people to create lasting change in their communities.

Looking Ahead

As TCN moves into 2025, plans are in place to:

✅ Expand the Living Faith Academy and launch a TCN podcast

✅ Integrate conflict resolution training into the curriculum

✅ Enhance Spanish-language resources

✅ Strengthen partnerships with organizations like Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Corazon Ministries

The journey toward shalom is ongoing, and TCN is committed to walking alongside churches and leaders as they embrace God’s call to seek the peace and prosperity of their communities.

Want to get involved?

Join us in this movement of transformation. Together, we can build thriving congregations in thriving communities.