Sometimes, difficulties can be a blessing in disguise, as two pastors explain from sunny Melbourne, Florida, where Faith Fellowship Church is in an exciting time of growth.
“We had come to a very difficult time, a major bank that we had been with for a number of years, and we had been faithfully paying our payments they decided to change their business plan and exclude churches,” said Senior Pastor Dr. Jeffrey Hoy.
The bank left the fellowship with very little time to figure out a solution, while extending the relationship at great expense to the ministry, he explained. Hoy and Executive Pastor Paul Reece reached out to Christian Investors Financial (CIF) to solve the problem.
“They were willing to come in and really, they rescued us at a time when we desperately needed some help in order to continue with the buildings that we have here,” said Pastor Hoy.
They asked: ‘How can we do this together?’ I’m not under those metrics anymore. We’re not under those guidelines. We’re in a relationship.
The church has a substantial worship center where a great deal of ministry happens: classes, productions, three worship services per week and more. A building built earlier is a multi-use structure it utilizes for fellowship, Sunday school and preschool.
Pastor Reece has considerable experience in church finance, and said it was very difficult working with banks. “There was constant paperwork, constant things that we had to do, constant metrics we had to meet,” he said. CIF was much different.
“They asked: ‘How can we do this together?’ I’m not under those metrics anymore,” the executive pastor said. “We’re not under those guidelines. We’re in a relationship.”
The executive pastor said when there is an issue, the church and CIF are comfortable to call each other and figure out the best way to work through it.
But, the pastors said the most exciting thing about working with CIF is the knowledge that the interest the church pays goes back into ministry.
“We know that the money we’re paying isn’t building big glass buildings somewhere, or giving giant bonuses to someone,” said Pastor Hoy. “It’s actually going back into church plants, church projects, missions and ministries- and that is a very rewarding thing.”
Pastor Reece said they’re not paying into an organization that’s using the funds to benefit themselves. He hears stories of churches that can’t go to the banks, can’t afford their guidelines and requirements.
“CIF comes in and they have programs where they help them get started affordably, and at a scale they can work with.”
Click to check out Faith Fellowship Church.
For more information, be sure to check out “Church Loans Simplified” at christianinvestors.org.
Two California churches, one two hours east of Los Angeles and the other on the ocean nearby, talk about the value of having a partner in ministry that is experienced and brings expert level help in the financial realm. “You get an organization that cares about the church, that loves the church,” said Pastor-Elder Chris… Continue Reading
Continue Reading
In the third of a three-part series, Christian Investors Financial board members talk about the eternal impacts of CIF’s work in serving churches. Our organization’s conservative nature has been a backbone of who we are since 1959. There is wise counsel, a broadening perspective and refined decision making with the goal of reaching individuals for… Continue Reading
Continue Reading
Building, campus improvements enhance discipleship, ministries in Southwest
Continue Reading