The boards of Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF), Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation (Hope Partnership), and Church Extension Financial and Missional Resources (CEFMR) gathered in mid-November for their semi-annual meeting. Monday morning’s session opened with a prayer and scriptural reflection. After a brief review of the meeting agenda, Disciples General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens spoke on relationship-building and feeling connected.
“People give to what they’re connected to,” she said, “and Disciples feel connected to God, to their church, and to each other.”
General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens
This was Terri’s first opportunity to attend the CEFMR/DCEF/Hope gathering since taking office in mid-2017. Following her remarks, the remainder of the morning was dedicated to a group discussion of how best to position Hope Partnership for future growth given the enthusiastic collaboration it has enjoyed this year with a growing list of ecumenical partners.
After lunch, CEFMR CFO Jennifer Gallagher presented a review of the 2019 financial plans of DCEF, Hope Partnership and New Church Ministry. Then, the DCEF and Hope boards broke into separate sessions where both approved their 2019 budgets as proposed. DCEF President Rick Reisinger also made a presentation on the Glendale Mission & Ministry Center of Glendale, AZ.
“This center is a collaboration of the former First Christian Church of Glendale, the Christian Church in Arizona, and DCEF, and proves that holy places can nurture new churches and serve as community non-profit hubs,” he noted.
Hope Partnership President Gilberto Collazo thanks Marvin Owens for his service to the Board.
At Monday night’s dinner, Hope Partnership President Gilberto Collazo honored departing Director Marvin Owens (D.C.) for five years of service to the board, presenting him with both a certificate and chalice. Newly elected Hope Partnership directors include Patrick Duggan (NY), John Mobley (AL) and Scott Wheatley (TX). Marta Harms and John Powell will return as Board Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Newly elected DCEF directors include current Chair Sheri Jackson (KY), Tony Rodriguez (FL), Laurie Feille (MN) and Andres Morgado (PR). Laurie Feille and Jeff Champeau (OK) were elected Board Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.
An executive session of all directors and both ministry presidents began Tuesday’s meetings. Separate DCEF and Hope Partnership sessions followed. The meeting of the CEFMR board took place after lunch, focusing on approval of its 2019 Consolidated Financial Plan and election of directors, including Greg Kuhn (IN), John Mobley, Laurie Feille and Andres Morgado. The afternoon ended with a closing communion presided over by John Powell.
The CEFMR, DCEF and Hope Partnership boards will meet next on March 10 – 12, 2019.