Church Loans

Loan payoff means more money for ministry

North central Minnesota church brings gospel, discipleship, outreach to hundreds in lakes community

After celebrating 100 years as a congregation in 2024, the Evangelical Free Church (EFC) of Bemidji marked another milestone in 2025 – paying off a construction loan from Christian Investors Financial (CIF).

The $1.7 million CIF loan made possible a 24,000 square-foot addition to the northern Minnesota church, which is a significant presence in this city of 16,000 about 100 miles from the Canadian border.

“In terms of ministry, it opens up all kinds of doors, more ministry dollars, more money towards missions and potentially staff additions in the years to come,” said Lead Pastor Jerry Johnson.

Before paying off the mortgage, there was growing excitement with the church’s elder board and trustees about the positive budgetary impact, Pastor Jerry said. The payoff also frees up funds for building maintenance.

“We rejoice with EFC Bemidji, where funds that were used to repay their loan can be redirected towards ministry. More money for ministry is our passion,” said CIF President and CEO Scott Achterling. “Just like the churches we serve, Kingdom expansion is our ultimate goal.”

Pastor Jerry said it’s been a journey, and God has been faithful. “If you hear a loud noise from northern Minnesota, it might be from our church, just praising the Lord because we are excited,” the lead pastor said.

Driving the need: meetings spread out, lack of room

About 20 years ago, EFC Bemidji was out of space, renting 17 rooms at nearby Oak Hills Christian College, a town hall and a room at a radio station, said Pastor Jerry.

“It was a great time of ministry, but it was challenging,” he said. Severe winters added more obstacles with multiple locations as the church could not fit the people attending on Sundays and Wednesdays.

CIF assists, church doubles space, opportunity

Church leaders approached CIF. “They were great to work with and helped us get our loan,” Pastor Jerry recalls. “It was not a small loan, especially for our church … but we needed to do what we felt God had for us.”

More than doubling its space, the church added many classrooms, a full-size gym, commercial kitchen and bathrooms with showers.

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A large youth room seats 170. The smaller fellowship hall, the Connection Café, can seat up to 200. The church gym accommodates 250 to 300.

Years after the initial expansion, EFC of Bemidji also needed to add more worship space, which it did. With seating for 500, Pastor Jerry said it was a game changer.

The church hosts several conferences each year and welcomes multiple groups to use its facilities. One company brings in 150 to 200 truck drivers for training. People in the church can meet and reach out to them to share Christ.

“There are lots of fun opportunities in the community as well as for our own people, raising our children in the faith,” he explained.

Economy slumps, God remains faithful

Soon after the large project, the housing market burst in 2008 and an economic downturn hurt the local economy.

“We were like, ‘Lord, we thought we were following you. We were sure that this is what you wanted us to do. So, are we going to make it?’” Pastor Jerry said.

“God was faithful and brought us through that tough time, and we were able to pay extra on our loan through the life of the loan,” he explained. “Again, God’s providence, His faithfulness and His people being faithful to Him and the ministry we’re called to.”

Church attendance increases during the summer tourist season at EFC Bemidji, where there are 70 fishing lakes within 10 miles of the city. The substantial facility has a strong presence for the gospel.

Many ministries, strategic planning

The church offers individual ministries for men, women, youth and children, a GriefShare group, and life groups of 8 to 12 adults. EFC Bemidji also engages with an active Cru student ministry at Bemidji State University and hosts conferences for Native American believers.

Blood drives are held at the church as well as large Thanksgiving meals, vacation Bible schools, marriage seminars and more. “We also have a good list of global partners around that world that we support, serve with and pray for what they are doing,” Pastor Jerry explained.

The church is amplifying its missional focus through a strategic ministry plan. The goal is to do what they are called to do and do it well, making sure that each ministry is pulling toward the gospel. “That we are not distracted by lesser things or trying to do too many things,” he explained.

At CIF, we are ministry-minded stewards who are passionate about Kingdom expansion. Reach out to us today to learn more about church loans, impactful investments and consulting resources!

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