When applying for a Disciples Church Extension Fund loan, Raytown Christian Church in Raytown, Mo., described their renovation/repair project not just in terms of what it would mean to them, but also in terms of its impact on their community. The congregation’s capital improvements committee chair noted,
“…the focus on structure enlargement, improved entrance and access… are all important factors for our church, but the noticeable benefits also reach out to the surrounding community.”
He adds that in addition to many community organizations that are served by the project,
“…the food pantry is a major benefactor of the building improvements. There is now designated, appropriately located space for the pantry where it can be more easily managed by the workers and accessed by recipients. This ministry continues to grow as the… community, especially in trying economic times, recognizes that Raytown Christian Church is a place to fill their spiritual as well as food needs.”
In addition to the food pantry, the church includes local outreach (for example, a summer lunch ministry that feeds 500 kids a day), mission trips and Disciples mission giving in their annual budget. The congregation pledges generously and makes above-and-beyond gifts to Disciples Church Extension Fund-assisted capital campaigns to fund designated capital project components and loan debt reduction.
With mission driving Raytown’s financial decisions and operations, Disciples Church Extension Fund felt more than comfortable approving the church’s loan, which was partially funded by donations to our accessibility loan fund. And, during the economic downturn when the church’s capital fund budget got a little tight, the congregation and Disciples Church Extension Fund worked together to identify solutions that would keep the church on track with their loan payments. That allowed them to stay focused on serving God’s people, including a new African-American Disciples of Christ congregation that recently began nesting there.