Building helps establish Story Church in Ohio

“Really (for CIF) to partner with us, support us and make sure we were making wise financial decisions so that we were set up for success, long-term success- not only to pay back this mortgage, but to make sure we were in a position to grow …”
Matthew Pestotnik, Story Church

Since 2020, Story Church in Mayfield Heights, Ohio has been steadily growing its ministry and recently took a significant step to buy a church building it had been renting. Christian Investors Financial (CIF) brought needed funds to the mix in the form of a loan.

“We exist to invite neighbors to discover the story of Jesus,” said Pastor Jeremy King, whose church is part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). “And, after discovering the story of Jesus, to be transformed by His grace … that’s been our drumbeat from the beginning.”

Pastor Jeremy connected with CIF about halfway through their conversation with owners of the 6,000 square-foot building on a main road. The church raised funds, and as CIF offered its financial expertise and planning , leaders felt the support.

“They were patient with us as we got documents together, did assessments and brought in folks for appraisals and walkthroughs,” said King. “CIF has been a fantastic organization to work with.” The congregation was equally pleased.

Pastor Jeremy found CIF through Ed Fedor, executive pastor of Cornerstone Community Church of Mayfield Heights, an Evangelical Free church. “He recommended CIF to us and said they had worked really well with CIF and were pleased with that experience.”

King grew up in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, about two and a half hours away and received his Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He started the new church in this Cleveland suburb in 2020, and they soon began meeting in a movie theater.

Paving the way for local ministry impact

Pastor Jeremy and his wife joined a mayor’s council group, helped run city activities and connected with other city departments. He planted flowers in parks and got involved in a holiday festival. This opened up many connections.

“Not only am I trying to love my neighbors and care for them- I’m also trying to say, ‘Hey, we are here as a church for your good,’” King explained. “We are here to love you, serve you and bless you, and if you have any needs, any problems, if you need counsel or prayer, please come.”

Knowing that some churches that rent spaces may appear less established, having a permanent place of their own to welcome the community has been a big asset. The brick building was constructed in 1930, with improvements in 1961 and 1978. Story Church started sharing the structure with another church in 2021, paying reasonable rent and splitting Sunday mornings for their respective services.

The congregation brought equipment and supplies to the arrangement, which were also shared, Pastor Jeremy explained. In 2024, the other church stopped meeting, which opened the building for full-time use by Story Church.

King and others had a good relationship with the denomination that owned the building and negotiated an agreement to purchase.

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Project manager noticed a difference

Matthew Pestotnik is a church member and a project manager by trade who helped out with the mortgage and purchase. He said working with CIF felt much less like working with a bank and more like having an advisor.

There were routine checks on the church’s finances, giving and history, but the arrangement was much more than that.

“Really, (for CIF) to partner with us, support us and make sure we were making wise financial decisions so that we were set up for success, long-term success,” said Pestotnik. “Not only to pay back this mortgage, but to make sure we were in a position to grow, being in a financially healthy position, and that was comforting to us.”

Church members gained confidence in CIF, knowing that due diligence was underway, and the right questions were being asked, he explained. “That part I particularly appreciated … it really felt like a true partnership working with CIF.”

Building brings ministry opportunities

In addition to Sunday morning services, Story Church has other opportunities to meet during the week, with men’s and women’s Bible studies, holiday events and a father-daughter dance for the community. New people started attending Sunday services. Individual discipleship is happening here, as well.

After installing a new sign, some people are asking if their church just started. On Sundays, it’s not unusual to have churchgoers in the building until 1 p.m. as people fellowship, something they couldn’t do when the building was shared.

Knowing their community

The PCA church employs a liturgical tradition in its services, which fits nicely with the community’s Italian and Roman Catholic styles that many people know, Pastor Jeremy said. While about half of the community traces its roots back generations to the original immigrants, the other half come from elsewhere and don’t often have the same connections and support structures, he explains.

“We might be a new church, but we belong to an ancient church,” said King. There are readings from the Middle Ages, prayers from the 1600s and songs from the 1800s. The pastor said someone new coming in will be challenged spiritually, and at the same time have a restful experience.

Extending kindness

Pastor Jeremy said when he talked with CIF Relationship Manager Patrick O’Dell , he was always asked how he was doing personally and how the church was faring. “Patrick was so supportive, so encouraging and so joyful and we are very thankful.”

The church has similar values. “At Story Church, we want to be the kind of church where people don’t rush to the parking lot – where presence is practiced, stories are shared and no one stands alone for long,” the church posted on Facebook. Owning the building has certainly made more fellowship possible.

Funded initially by a nondenominational church planting network, Story Church was commissioned by the Ohio Presbytery of the PCA. It celebrated a “Particularization service” in February 2025, when it became self-sustaining, self-funded and independent, meaning self-governing with ruling elders and deacons.

For more information about how a church loan may help your congregation, reach out to CIF today.