Northwest Community Church in Phoenix

After years of discussions, a well-established nondenominational church with an expanding children’s ministry and more than 700 attendees needed significant improvements to better accommodate and guide people on its nearly 10-acre property with multiple buildings in Phoenix.

“Our campus is kind of backwards,” said Terry Blakemore, a deacon and the treasurer for Northwest Community Church. “When you come onto the campus, it’s like you’re coming onto the back of somebody’s house, and you would have to try to find your way around to the front.”

The 67-year-old congregation was running its children’s ministry from a 1980s-era modular building. For the main services, lobby space was minimal and the bathrooms were outdated.

On top of this were the directional challenges posed by multiple buildings that sometimes confuse people who are new to the church, explained former elder Steve Blakemore, who is also Terry’s father.

Financial expertise, multiple avenues

The solution involved a capital campaign with Christian Investors Financial, a church loan and some welcomed flexibility during the COVID-19 period. The modular building was removed and replaced, a major lobby expansion further transformed the church’s appearance and improvements outside which included recreation areas complemented the overall effort.

“CIF helped to define the big picture, including what the scope would entail.”
Deacon and treasurer Terry Blakemore, northwest community church

“I don’t think there is a discouraging word anywhere about everything CIF did for us,” said Steve.

Terry said initially the question revolved around what the project might cost. “CIF helped to define in the big picture, including what the scope would entail.”

“The rate was good, they were easy to work with, (CIF) already knew the project, the stability of the church, financial and otherwise,” said Terry. Northwest Community had design work done and got some clarity on cost estimates with a general contractor.

Flexibility for unavoidable delays

The church started its capital campaign with CIF several years ago, and was about to launch it, but needed a pause when the pandemic arrived, Terry explains. This delay was fine with CIF.

With regard to other churches that might be considering CIF, Terry said the money spent on the front side will pay back a few-fold on the back side. “I would encourage them to go ahead and utilize CIF to not only get the capital campaign piece rolling, but then roll into a potential note with CIF if the church needs it,” said Terry. “It’s a good, good program.”

Success on multiple fronts

During Northwest Community’s campaign, supporters ended up committing even more funds toward the project, which allowed for a lower loan amount. The church then decided to make higher payments to pay it off sooner.

The initial agreement involved money for construction from CIF over one year with interest-only payments, but Northwest’s general contractor kept getting delayed, Terry explained. “We went back to CIF to ask if it could be extended,” said Terry. CIF agreed, and also allowed the church to stay with the same interest rate.

“There was just maximum flexibility with CIF in the loan process. All of those things have made the whole experience very good.”

Multi-million dollar project

Costing an estimated $5.8 million, CIF approved a loan of up to $3.2 million toward the improvements backed by an overall property appraisal of $8.5 million.

The very successful capital campaign with high participation helped knock the loan amount down by about $900,000. The three-year campaign goal was reached in just over two years.

Prior to the improvements, the overall property had 47,188 square feet of facility space.

The new, nearly 12,000 square-foot children’s ministry building has meeting and performance space, multiple nursery and pre-kindergarten rooms, classrooms and restrooms. The worship center lobby expansion more than doubled its size, restrooms were remodeled and site improvements on the outdoor plaza increased the functionality and visual appeal.

The previous children’s ministry building, Building E, was demolished, making way for a new recreational field. The church shares a parking lot with a Christian school that was once joined with the church but now operates independently. An easement allows both entities to share the lot space.

‘Glorifying God by making mature disciples of Jesus Christ’

Making disciples is a primary emphasis here, so much so that a message stating such is on a prominent wall in the new main lobby.

Steve said they wanted an area where people could make coffee, sit down at tables for counseling or discipleship and not have to go to a local coffee shop. “That has worked out very well.”

When he met with an old friend at the church who had attended much earlier and had since moved away, the friend’s reaction was memorable.

He was amazed and awed. “He said it doesn’t even look like the same place, because the entire campus is so different,” said Steve. The comments Steve most often gets about the foyer are the feelings of how large and open the space is, with a lot of glass. “People just really enjoy being there.”

All-around support

Terry said their comments about CIF were honest opinions and not prompted by anyone.

“We have no reason to say the good things that we do other than that we’ve experienced it and we’re thankful for it,” he said.

He said the church has some very faithful givers. A lot of folks who put a lot of trust in the process and the people who recommended it. “It rolled out well and the people have continued to support it.” Many people are moving to Phoenix, and the church is well-positioned to serve those who attend. “I have noticed two things,” said Steve. “People come to church earlier than they used to and they stay longer when they leave.”

More information about Church Loans and Capital Campaigns offered by CIF is available. To get started, click “work with a specialist.” Churches can share some basic information and we will respond.

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