VISION
A sense of God’s calling in the life of Bishop Joseph Key to care for homeless children led to the founding of the Northwest Texas Conference Orphans Home in 1890. Dr. Horace Bishop, pastor of Waco’s Fifth Street Methodist Church, joined Bishop Key to gain support for the orphanage at the conference’s annual meeting. The city of Waco bid successfully for the orphanage by donating cash and a 27-acre estate that featured a two-story home. The first resident, 12-year-old David Harrison of Hill County, arrived in April 1894.
NAME CHANGES
As Rev. W.H. Vaughan, the first administrator, raised financial support, he received donations from the other Methodist conferences in Texas. To reflect this widespread response, the Board of Directors changed the name to Methodist Orphanage in 1894. In the 1940s, the ministry began to transition from an orphanage to a multiple services child care agency, which led the Board to change the name to Methodist Home in 1942. In 1996, the Board voted to change the name to Methodist Children’s Home to more clearly communicate its mission.
PRESIDENTS
When Trey Oakley was elected President and CEO of MCH on May 16, 2019, he became only the 11th president in the history of this ministry. Mr. Oakley has served MCH since 1999, first in the religious education department before moving into the development department in 2001. He served as vice president for development from 2006 until being elected president. In 2023, MCH launched the second strategic plan under his leadership, entitled “Imagine 2028.”
Every president has led MCH through challenges, changes and growth. MCH is grateful for these presidents and their leadership teams: Mr. Trey Oakley, 2019-present; Mr. Tim Brown, 2010-2019; Mr. Bobby Gilliam, 2003-2010; Dr. Jack K. Daniels, 1978-2003; Dr. Kennard Copeland, 1966-1978; Dr. Hubert Johnson, 1933-1966; Mr. W.F. Barnett, 1919-1933; Rev. J.N. McCain, 1918-1919; Dr. R.A. Burroughs, 1912-1918; Dr. J.H. McLean, 1908-1912; and Rev. W.H. Vaughan, 1891-1908.
TRANSITIONS IN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
During its first three decades, Methodist Orphanage provided shelter, food and protection for homeless children. As the orphanage progressed, it strengthened religious education and school programs, offered vocational training and emphasized family-style living. Beginning in the mid-1900s, Methodist Home treated a wide range of emotional and psychological needs of children and families, developed a variety of activities to enrich the lives of children, and expanded the program to include foster care and other family services. As Methodist Children’s Home began its second century of service in the 1990s, staff members emphasized the importance of helping youth identify and develop their strengths, interests and talents to achieve success. Today, MCH continues to build on that philosophy by incorporating the latest in evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care.
WACO CAMPUS
There have been two facilities master plans that led to significant changes on the Waco campus. The first master plan was developed in the 1930s through the leadership of administrator Hubert Johnson and philanthropist Joe Perkins. They envisioned a campus of smaller cottage-style homes in a neighborhood setting, a chapel at the center of campus and other facilities that enhanced services for children. Nineteen homes and eight other buildings were added to the campus from 1940-1967.
A second master plan was developed during President Tim Brown’s tenure as part of the 2011-2015 strategic plan. MCH conducted an extensive evaluation of the aging infrastructure of the campus, current and future needs of children, and external factors impacting residential care. A new home design improved safety features, created more efficiency in operating costs, and met or exceeded licensing and regulatory requirements. The homes offer a more normalized living environment for youth with private bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as apartments for live-in home parents. Eleven homes were built from 2016-2023.
BOYS RANCH
The MCH Boys Ranch was established in 1971 during the administration of Dr. Kennard Copeland. Donor J.T. Stevens contributed $400,000 to help MCH purchase the 2,500-acre ranch, located about 10 miles northeast of Waco. Construction of facilities began in 1971 and the first residents arrived in 1973. An important transition in the program of care at the Boys Ranch began in 2023 through the vision of president Trey Oakley and his leadership team. In 2024, MCH began using the Boys Ranch for a separate residential program to serve youth who have a higher level of needs that cannot be met through the basic care program. All residents in MCH’s basic care program are served on the Waco campus.
MCH FAMILY OUTREACH
As MCH developed a comprehensive program of care by the 1960s, agency leaders began opening satellite offices to provide foster care or other family preservation services throughout Texas and New Mexico. MCH opened its first office in Houston in 1966 and currently has 13 outreach locations. They are: (Texas) Abilene, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Killeen, Lubbock, Permian Basin, San Antonio, Tyler and Waco; (New Mexico) Las Cruces. The Permian Basin office, located in Odessa, is the newest office and began offering services in 2023.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MCH has been blessed by faithful friends who provide support through their financial resources and in-kind gifts. Every donation has been vital to helping MCH fulfill its mission. Many gifts have been designated for the endowment fund. Administrator Hubert Johnson and the Board of Directors created a permanent endowment to strengthen the long-term financial stability of this ministry. In 1942, Dr. and Mrs. W.D. DeJernett of Commerce made a $2,000 gift to begin the endowment. The Board established a policy that the principal of the endowment will never be spent, with only earnings being used to help fund operating costs. Today, the endowment is valued at more than $500 million, a powerful testimony to God’s blessings on MCH, the generosity of benefactors and faithful stewardship of resources.
LEGACY OF HOPE
MCH has been blessed by the vision, wisdom and expertise of employees, Board of Directors and benefactors who have enabled the agency to become a widely respected leader in the child care field. As MCH continues to build on its legacy of adapting and developing programs and services to meet the needs of society, the ministry will remain steadfast in fulfilling its mission to equip children, youth and families to flourish by offering hope through Christ-centered relationships, services and support.
A detailed history is available in a book titled, “Legacy of Hope.” To obtain a copy of the book, please contact the Department for Advancement at Advancement@MCH.org or 800-853-1272.