INDIANAPOLIS (November 22, 2017) – The Boards of Directors of Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF), Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation (Hope Partnership), and Church Extension Financial and Missional Resources (CEFMR) met November 13-14 in Indianapolis for their semi-annual meetings.
The Boards heard reports from committee conference calls, which took place during the two weeks leading up to the combined meeting. The Marketing/Services/Development committee celebrated an increase in both Hope Partnership and DCEF service requests and sales in 2017. Board Loan Committee reported a growth in loan demand, with an expectation that loan demand will continue to climb in 2018. Leadership Development Committee, Finance Committee, and Audit Committees for DCEF and CEFMR also shared highlights from their conference calls.
At dinner on Monday night, DCEF president Rick Reisinger gave a report on the ministry’s collaboration with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico to repair and rebuild churches damaged by Hurricane Maria. For more information, click here. Andres Morgado, Finance Committee chair, also spoke candidly about life in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the hurricane. Gilberto Collazo, president of Hope Partnership, and Rick Reisinger will travel to Puerto Rico for an “extraordinary” meeting of the Joint Commission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico and in the United States and Canada on November 25-26, 2017.
CEFMR, DCEF, and Hope Partnership Boards approved a 2018 budget, which includes a positive net income for both DCEF and Hope Partnership.
The Boards also heard about evolving opportunities to expand collaboration with ecumenical partners and that there will be more exciting news to come in the following months.
This was the final meeting for DCEF directors Willie Garcia (N.Y.) and Neil Topliffe (Mich.), Hope director Rachel Bell (Tenn.), Hope chairperson Jean Vandergrift (Mass.), and CEFMR chairperson Denny Williams (Ariz.). “We are thankful for the time and talents our retiring directors have shared with us,” said Rick Reisinger. “They have provided tremendous leadership over the years.”
Effective January 1, 2018, DCEF will welcome to its board Christal Williams (Tenn.) for a two-year term, Jeff Champeau (Okla.) and Yolanda Roseby (Ore.) for three-year terms, and Robin Hedgeman (Ohio) for a second three-year term. Sheri Jackson (Ky.) will continue as chairperson and Laurie Feille (Minn.) will serve as vice-chairperson. Hope Partnership will add to its directors Patrick Duggan (N.Y.) for a one-year term, Ruben Cruz (Ill.) and Julie Richardson (Ky.) for three-year terms, and Marta Harms (Fla.) for a second three-year term. Harms will step into the role of chairperson and John Powell (Ky.) will be vice-chairperson. Don Dewey (Calif.) will be chairperson for the CEFMR Board of Directors for a one-year term.
“We are elated to welcome our new directors,” said Gilberto Collazo. “We look forward to growing in our ministry together.”
DCEF, Hope Partnership and CEFMR Boards are scheduled to meet in person in March and November 2018 and via conference call September 2018.
Following the end of the board meeting, members of DCEF and Hope Partnership staff and Boards of Directors met with members of the College of Regional Ministers for a day and a half to discuss future partnership opportunities.
Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation empowers courageous leaders as they guide the Church into life-giving expressions of ministry for this era of God’s mission.
Disciples Church Extension Fund inspires and empowers congregations to create Holy Places where people connect with God, each other, and the community.
Together, DCEF and Hope Partnership help congregations thrive and transform communities.