Mortgage Loans for RCWs

LCEF mortgage loans are available exclusively to Rostered Church Workers (RCWs) throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). This includes ordained and commissioned church workers on active or emeritus status. Applicants must also meet standard underwriting guidelines. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, check the LCMS church worker locator or contact one of our loan officers at rcw.loans@lcef.org or 800-843-5233, extension 4.

LCEF directly offers RCW mortgage loans in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

If you live outside of these states, you may still be eligible for an RCW mortgage loan through our ministry partner, Lutheran Federal Credit Union (LutheranFCU). While LCEF and LutheranFCU are independent organizations, together we work to ensure RCWs across the country have access to home financing built around their calling.

LCEF mortgage loans are designed specifically for LCMS Rostered Church Workers, which means we understand the financial realities of ministry life—including housing allowances, call documents, call transitions and the other unique considerations of church worker compensation. Our program offers competitive fixed and adjustable interest rates, a minimum down payment as low as 5% and no private mortgage insurance (PMI) required—a meaningful benefit that can save hundreds of dollars per month compared to ordinary loans.

You’ll also work directly with friendly, knowledgeable loan officers who are part of the LCEF family and familiar with your world.

Visit our Homebuyer’s Hub for more about how to get started.

LCEF offers both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) options to fit your financial situation:

• 30-year fixed rate: Predictable payments over the long haul
• 15-year fixed rate: Pay off your home sooner and save on interest
• 10-year ARM: Fixed for 10 years, then adjusts annually
• 7-year ARM: Fixed for 7 years, then adjusts annually

Down payment options range from 5% to 20%, with rates varying accordingly. Current rates are listed on this page and are subject to change. For ARM loans, rate adjustments are based on the One-Year Constant Maturity Index (PDF), an interest rate calculated according to the current yield on a U.S. Treasury security with a one-year maturity. This is commonly used as an index for adjustable-rate loans, indicates the general direction of short-term interest rates and allows for caps that limit how much your rate can change in any given year or over the life of the loan.

Both! LCEF offers home purchase loans and refinance options, including cash out refinances. A cash out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new loan, allowing you to access a portion of your home’s equity as cash at closing.

LCEF also offers home equity loans in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. Click here to learn more about home equity lending for LCMS rostered and commissioned workers.

Getting started is straightforward. You can apply online through our secure mortgage application portal. Before you apply, we recommend checking the state availability map on this page to confirm LCEF loans are offered in your state.

To help you prepare, LCEF’s Homebuyer’s Hub offers mortgage calculators, educational articles and tools to walk you through the homebuying process step by step. You can also download our RCW Mortgage Information Sheet (PDF) and Your Home Loan Toolkit (PDF) for a clear overview of what to expect.

When you’re ready to talk, our loan officers are available by phone at 800-843-5233, Ext. 4 during our normal business hours.

When an insurance claim check (sometimes called a “loss draft”) is paid for damage to a home, there are several steps that must be taken. Find more information on our Insurance Claim Procedures guide.