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Project Financing

Without a doubt, one of the most challenging parts of a building program is acquiring sufficient financing to build all that the church needs. Thus, early in the program, a finance committee should be formed to investigate the various avenues of financing available. In our opinion, most congregations would benefit from a combination of fund raising--for up front capital and/or debt retirement--and long term financing. You should investigate all options. In addition to speaking with your local bank about a conventional mortgage, you should also consider Capital Stewardship Campaigns, church bonds, specialty banks, etc. In some cases, your denomination or fellowship will have fund raising or lending programs that are limited to your group. Most often, such programs provide the best source of funds.

Finances are a sensitive area for most churches. Government regulations over both banks and bonding companies are complex, and getting stricter all the time. Raising large amounts of money from within the congregation is usually outside of the minister's area of expertise. And if the financing is poorly handled, not only will the whole project be in jeopardy due to lack of funds, but the members of the congregation can become quite irritated so that the spiritual momentum of the whole church program can be killed. We strongly recommend that the congregation secure outside professional help for any specialized financing programs.

To help you get started, Akers CBS has listed below several firms who specialize in assisting churches with building funds. These are some we know of, but of course there are numerous others. Some of these have worked with our clients in the past, but we have no business arrangement or connection with any of them, and make no recommendation other than to provide this information.

All of these firms will normally have a representative meet with your committee and explain their program at no obligation. You should obtain brochures and references, then select some to invite to explain their services.

1. Be sure the firm and the individual consultant are both securities registered to work in your state.
2. Ask for a complete list of all churches served in the last five years.
3. Interview firms and select the one which will best serve your needs.

FUND RAISING FIRMS: (CAPITAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGNS)

	Church Ministries Unlimited P.O. Box 277 Somerset, TX 78069 888-786-3940 Van McQueen, Founder/President Doug McQueen, Vice-President
	RSI FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 5151 Beltline Road, Suite 900 Dallas, TX 75254 800-527-6824 Mr. Pat Cummins, Midwest Representative (800-725-0080, ext. 7529)
	CARGILL ASSOCIATES Pat Graham, President of Church Division PO Box 330339 Ft. Worth, TX 76163 1-800-433-2233
	CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP MINISTRIES Mr. Doug Laird, President 413 Conerly Road Columbia, MS 39429 800-926-4891
	THE ROGERS COMPANY Mr. Del Rogers 10713 Plano Road Dallas, TX 75238-9990 214-349-4147, 800-527-1354
	DICKERSON & ASSOCIATES Dr. Clark Dickerson 7931 South Broadway, #302 Littleton, CO 80122 800-382-0094
	TLC MINISTRIES, INC. Mr. Robert Hallett, President 1189 West Rivercrest Drive New Castle, IN 47362 800-473-5352
	FAITH IN ACTION Mr. Larry Green 106 Indiana Avenue Washington, IN 47501 812-486-5497
	EXCEL MINISTRIES, INC. Mr. Linden Kirby, President 5023 West 120th Ave. #210 Broomfield, CO 80020 866-81-EXCEL
	CHURCH FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT Mr. Bruce Backofen, Midwest Representative 394 Uxbridge Lane Carmel, IN 46032 317-506-6706

LONG TERM FINANCING--BONDS:

Most bond firms fall under a category known as "Best Efforts" Companies. They will sell bonds to the church members and friends, but also sell bonds to their own clients, for a commission. As far as we know, the following are "best efforts" companies.

One firm which has multiple approaches to bond programs, plus some help with conventional and construction loans is:

SHARE FINANCIAL SERVICES, Inc. Mr. John Williams 14677 Midway Road, Suite 100 Addison, TX 75001 800-331-9152, ext. 25

Other "best efforts" companies:

CHURCH FUNDING CORPORATION Mr. Darrell Offutt PO Box 208 Carl Junction, MO 64834 417-649-7337

We have included one firm that issues bonds for the church, but sells them through brokerage and investment firms, rather than to the church people.

B.C. ZIEGLER AND COMPANY 250 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900 Milwaukee, WI 53202 800-558-1776

And one that sells bonds within the church if church people are interested, but mostly offers them to individual and institutional investors.

RIVES, LEAVELL, & CO. PO Box 4900 Jackson, MS 39296 800-748-8877 Mr. Mark McNeece

LONG TERM FINANCING--MORTGAGE LOANS:

In addition to your local bank, there are specialty banks and organizations that provide more conventional mortgage loans to churches.

	Mission Management and Consultants LLC Mortgage Bankers ~ National Church Finance Specialists Post Office Box 533304 Orlando, Florida 32853 321-231-8747 Travis Irwin, Regional Manager 931-729-9574
	CHURCH DEVELOPMENT FUND, INC. (works with Christian Churches/Churches of Christ only) 1065 North Pacificenter Drive, Suite 190 Anaheim, CA 92806 800-CDF-3880 Midwest Region: Mr. Tom Warner 866-381-3800
	PROVIDENCE FINANCIAL Mr. Tom Brown 9407 Tillot Drive Matthews, NC 28104 800-709-0308
	CHURCH LOANS & INVESTMENTS TRUST Mr. Robert E. Martin 5305 I-40 West PO Box 8203 Amarillo, TX 79114-8203 800-692-1111
	FAIRINGSTONE MORTGAGE AND INVESTMENT SERVICES Mr. Morris Little PO Box 490175 Lawrenceville, GA 30043 678-377-8171
	EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CREDIT UNION PO Box 2400 Brea, CA 92822-2400 800-634-3228 Mr. David Van Winkle, ext. 1684

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