Joy in Jesus name, His plans, Kingdom work, the cross

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

What a joy it is to see and hear Christ’s name at Christmas. The preparations, decorations and celebrations in our offices and homes are sprinkled with holiday cheer. There’s a sense of nostalgia about it, of childhood memories and a wholesome appreciation centered on the One who was so significant that He split the calendar in half.

Businesses often send out Christmas cards to their customers, but we wanted to do something different this year, so we made a short holiday video with Christmas greetings from our team. We hope you enjoy it.

Timing and a timeline

The oft cited verse above from Isaiah 9 shows how God tells people what is going to happen before it happens. He gave his Son, Jesus. God has timing and a timeline for His predetermined purposes and plans. Our God is a God of order.

We at CIF have a small but significant role to play in advancing His Kingdom. This is our charge, our mission and one that He makes possible through people, our faithful investors.

Stewardship is central

This month we are releasing the last video in our Core Values series, covering Stewardship. It truly is the value from which the three other values flow: Communication, Collaboration and Curiosity.

We use our time, talent and resources to move CIF forward and reflect that we are merely managing what God has entrusted to us.

Very much alive at 65!

The year 2024 marked 65 years of ministry for CIF. Like the old saying goes, we know well that we can’t place the cart before the horse. Our investors are indeed the horse which drives our ability to lend.

We are thankful to so many faithful investors through our earlier years, to those who are currently invested, and to those who will invest in the future.

I believe that we each make better decisions in life when we work through and value relationships. People with a shared mindset can impact others in very positive ways.

Christian believers are set apart for the Lord, and similarly, we are set apart as a financial institution, with believers supporting churches. Even as our hearts and minds are set on Christmas, we are also looking with anticipation towards 2025 and what the Lord will do through us as an organization.

The cross sets us apart

This coming year, you’ll be seeing a greater emphasis on the cross, even as expressed through our logo. We will boldly say that as Christians, ministry matters and our faith drives our priorities.

As churches reach a crossroads in choosing a financial partner, we are there with Kingdom-minded values and a biblical approach, ready to engage in relationships that center on ministry.

From all of us at CIF, may the Lord bless you and yours this Christmas season. May His will be done, in and through you, to His glory!