CIF campaign consulting benefits growing Evangelical Free church

CIF served as a resource to the church before the capital campaign began. There’s a contract. You sign it and that kind of stuff, but it doesn’t feel contractual in that sense.”
Lead Pastor Stephen Anderson, FEllowship Church, Dallas, Pennsylvania

With a history rich in coal deposits and mining, Dallas, Pa. is now one of the most post-Christian areas in America, but a spiritual harvest is underway at Fellowship Church. Christian Investors Financial (CIF) has a longstanding relationship with the church and provided consulting for a recent capital campaign.

“We as a church exist to pervade our community, the Back Mountain, the Wyoming Valley … and the world with the gospel by making disciples who make disciples and who display the glory of God in every phase of their lives,” said Lead Pastor Stephen Anderson.

Former lead pastor called to EFCA Southeast, new lead pastor has Midwest roots

About 40 minutes southwest of Scranton, in the state’s northeast the 45-year-old Evangelical Free congregation has seen steady growth since completing a worship center in 2020 with a CIF loan and earlier capital campaign.

Anderson was promoted to the lead pastor position in 2023 after former Lead Pastor Marc Ramirez, at left, became the district superintendent for EFCA Southeast. He served at Fellowship Church for 18 years.

Pastor Stephen grew up in Ames, Iowa, not far from where the Swedish side of the Evangelical Free Church of America got its start in Boone. His wife is from the Back Mountain area, so his family moved there in 2021 and he came on staff at the church the next year.

“We want to be continually growing in our walk with the Lord,” he said. Prior to the last expansion, the church was about half the size, numerically, and some needed items were delayed.

Sunday attendance has risen to about 500. “’Down the road’ came a little bit sooner,” the lead pastor explained.

The church has four buildings, which were built in phases. A master planning process laid out the need to add a foyer, entry space and a hallway to their worship center. Tying things together better was part of the goal, and CIF helped with funding solutions.

“It truly is a partnership. CIF served as a resource to the church before the capital campaign began,” said Pastor Stephen. “There’s a contract. You sign it and that kind of stuff, but it doesn’t feel contractual in that sense,” he said.

Campaign theme chosen, guide created

After some meetings with CIF, a theme was chosen, “Gathered and Growing,” and an informative project guide (link) was distributed. Current and future needs were addressed.

“The project will create more space for worship, strengthen our ability to gather and connect and better equip our church for ministry for generations to come,” Pastor Stephen said.

The purpose for the project is well-defined and explained: more intentional space that reflects who they already are as a church, a welcoming environment that fosters meaningful relationships in the body of Christ and a campus equipped to better support ministry.

CIF offered helpful advice and structure. “If you’re just trying to figure it out, it (CIF) is a great resource,” he said. “You know you’re not going to hit a brick wall.” The church wanted to start raising the funds as soon as they could.

Bringing people to Christ is the purpose, Anderson said, and changes to the church buildings can attract new people, another first step in coming to know Him. “That comes from being rooted in a place.”

Learn more about capital campaigns

Pastor Stephen has been part of building purchases and facility upgrades at other churches, as well. “These are worthwhile things to do because it does enhance the ministry. And when you can do it with intentionality and vision, it just helps clarify,” he said.

Facilities enhance church ministry. He sums it up as having a clear vision, education, stewardship and then participation, which provide a foundation for CIF’s capital campaign process.

Individual gifts and relationships

There are always ways to serve at Fellowship Church, Anderson explained. But they look at this not from a needs-based approach but from one that is gifts-based. The end result is that things get done, but people also discover the gifts they have, they grow and find God’s calling for their individual lives. Ministry here has been fruitful as they have built relationships.

Pastor Stephen said the church’s relationship with CIF has also been blessed. “That will continue beyond the project as we invest in that and are able, as a church, to use the resources we have to help other churches who are on the same mission as we are to do the same thing, which it’s really cool to be a part of that.”

Learn more about how CIF Consulting services can benefit your church.