Black History Month is a time for reflection, where people across the United States and Canada remember events that were the catalysts for social change and honor influential leaders who have paved the way for those in the African diaspora who follow in their footsteps.

But what takes up less of the spotlight are the partnerships that equip Black communities with the resources they need to thrive.

Such is the case for our relationship with Unity Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a congregation we have proudly supported for nearly four decades.

Teaching believers to become Disciples in Southwest Florida

In 1980, Elder Nelson Raines established the community of faith in Fort Myers, FL, a city with a significant African American population. At the time, he was its pastor, gathering members in a Jim Walters Home—a prefabricated structure that got its namesake from homebuilder and fellow Floridian Jim Walter—that he rented from The Bethel Primitive Baptist Church.

Four years later, the faith community became affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at the Florida Disciples Regional Church‘s 88^th Regional Assembly.

Preaching, teaching, and proclaiming the Gospel

As Unity Christian Church’s membership and ministries grew, so did the need for its own building. Leadership reached out to us and connected with former Senior Vice President Raymond Brown.

Not only was he the first Black individual to serve in this position at Board of Church Extension (BCE), our ministry name at the time, but he was also President of the National Christian Missionary Convention. Under his tenure, the predominantly African American organization merged with the General Convention, making him the first President of National Convocation. Much of his time with us was devoted to a program that disbursed some of our investment portfolio to Black banks in the U.S.

Brown brought this passion and advocacy to his work with places of worship too, including Unity Christian Church.

When he got the call from Rev. Raines, he traveled from Indianapolis to Ft. Myers to help the pastor and his flock understand what their financing options could be.

But when he arrived in the Sunshine State and sat down with church leadership, he realized that they didn’t have the data he needed to start the loan process.

“He said, ‘I believe in you, so I’m going to go back to Indianapolis and go to bat for you,’” recalls Joe Long, Unity Christian Church’s moderator. “And because of his belief in us, we were able to acquire the money we needed and construct our first facility.”

After receiving their funding, the congregation moved into their home in January 1986.

“BCE was not like a bank, which is designed to make money,” explains Long. “If you get a traditional loan, there’s a chance that you can end up going into foreclosure with the bank taking the property. BCE, in my humble opinion, was not in the business of repossessing property. They were in the business of trying to make the church whole.”

Laying the groundwork for everlasting faith

As Unity Christian Church blossomed and flourished in the 1990s, it created various ministries to serve its congregants and neighbors, including Disciples Men and Disciples Women groups. It also added youth ministries and a Sunday school, which became popular amongst the young families that worshiped in the church’s sanctuary every week. As it entered the millennium, Unity Christian Church found itself in the same spot that it was in the 1980s: it needed more room. Back they came to explore financing options that could support a classroom addition to the fellowship hall and a renovation of the sanctuary.

This go-round, the funding process went smoother, helped by the congregation’s previous history with us. Since Unity Christian Church was able to pay off its initial loan, it received a construction loan for the education wing and a renovation loan for the sanctuary. In 2002—a year after holding its building’s mortgage burning ceremony—Unity Christian Church completed the classroom addition.

“BCE dared to help congregations reach their potential,” says Long. “If you got in trouble, they would ask, ‘What can we do to help this congregation remain viable?’ Not only did they provide funds to build, but they also came alongside you to help you navigate the loan process.”

The church held a mortgage burning ceremony for its education wing in 2015.

Picking up the pieces after a devastating storm

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian swept through western Cuba, central Florida, and North and South Carolinas. Ft. Myers and the cities of Cape Coral and Naples were hit especially hard by the Category 5 hurricane, leaving millions of people without power and numerous inhabitants stranded on their roofs.

The church’s roof was also affected, receiving major damage that required a complete overhaul. Unity Christian Church had insurance with Insurance Board, which charged the congregation a 2% deductible of the building insured value or $115,000. With the roof replacement costing about $80,000, Unity Christian Church decided against turning to their insurance company since their deductible was more than what it cost to replace the roof.

Instead, Long connected with our Senior Director of Services Rev. Richard Williams, who walked him through the process of getting a loan to replace the roof and other financing options. While the funding was approved, church leadership declined the loan because they felt it would be better to use its emergency funds for the replacement.

“Despite the situation, Rev. Williams was great,” shares Long. “He made sure that we truly understood all the nuances of what we were asking for. Other financial institutions may just give you a loan and then later you think, ‘Oh, my God, what have I gotten myself into?’”

Today, Unity Christian Church has paid off all its loans with us and is debt free.

“I would recommend Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) because they are there to support ministry,” concludes Long. “DCEF is like family to us and they have been with us every step of the way.”

Do you have a story of your faith community’s partnership with us? If so, share it in the comments below!