The congregation at St. John, Kimball, Minn., used Capital Funding Services and an LCEF loan to build a new contemporary country church. There were two characteristics of St. John’s ministry that members wished to be carried out in the design: a passion for the cross and a desire to build relationships with Jesus Christ and each other. The interior and exterior windows were designed to create a central alignment between the front door and the altar and draw people to the cross. The shape of the sanctuary windows and ceiling also leads one to the cross, and natural light shines on one’s path to the altar. This new structure reminds congregation members of their purpose every time they enter.

Though attendance at St. Paul Lutheran in Brandon, Minn., averages 15, the congregation is determined to grow. Established in 1900, the current building has the same amenities it always has, which means no running water, kitchen or inside bathrooms. A loan from LCEF helped the congregation build all of this and a fellowship area. The congregation is excited and restarted its vacation Bible school last summer. The congregation’s positive energy is a good example of how rural congregations can begin work on revitalization and renewal.

When the auctioneer’s hammer fell one day this summer, Christ Lutheran Mission of Perry, Ga., was declared the successful bidder on nine acres of land. Christ Lutheran is the three-year-old daughter congregation of Mt. Calvary, Warner Robins, Ga. LCEF acted quickly to provide funding for the purchase and looks forward being Christ Lutheran’s partner as members plan to build a worship facility, preschool, and retirement community. Until then, members continue to their outreach ministries, including providing home-cooked meals free to families in need every Friday.

LCEF’s Board of Directors announced that Mr. Richard C. Robertson of Peachtree City, Georgia, will serve as the organization’s new president beginning Jan. 14, 2010. He succeeds Merle Freitag, who announced his retirement in July, after serving for more than 11 years.

Mount Olive Lutheran Church and School is the only Lutheran elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa. To help keep it and the congregation fiscally healthy and spiritually engaged, members participated in Consecrated Stewards. By God’s grace and the efforts of its members, Mount Olive is projected to have 14% more income during the year. Approximately 85 of 125 households pledged during the stewardship emphasis and a majority of those pledging increased their giving. In addition, many households that had never donated previously, pledged to begin giving.