wfn.org | Disciples groups receive record loan amounts in 1996

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

December 16, 1996
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org
                          
96b-101

   INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- "Nineteen ninety-six has been a record year in the
total
dollar amount of loans approved for use by Disciples congregations and
organizations," the
Rev. James L. Powell, Board of Church Extension president, told directors
during their
recent meeting.

   A total of $23.6 million was approved this year on 128 loans to assist
churches with
building projects and other improvements. The previous high for loans approved
in one
year was $22.2 million in 1992.

   Jane D. Lollis, an attorney from Louisville, Ky., and Connie S. Inglish,
Stillwater,
Okla., director of stewardship and development for the Christian Church
(Disciples of
Christ) in Oklahoma, were elected chairperson and vice-chairperson of the
board of
directors, respectively.

   Three new directors were elected to three-year terms.  Those named were: 
Linda S.
Carlson, an independent certified public accountant and financial manager,
Kansas City,
Mo.; Murvin S. Enders, vice president of administrative affairs for IWC
Resources
Corporation, Indianapolis; and W. Gordon Hamlin, Jr., an attorney in the law
firm of
Powell, Goldstein, Frazier and Murphy, Atlanta. 

   The Rev. Marvin K. Eckfeldt, minister of First Christian Church, Kent,
Wash., and
Susan L. Morris, vice president of the Heritage-Joslyn Foundation, Omaha,
Neb., were
reelected to three-year terms.

   BCE directors also approved fourth quarter loan requests of nearly $2.4
million.  The
loans will finance expansion and improvements for Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ)
congregations and other organizations.

   Requests for loans came from 11 states and Puerto Rico for 23 projects
including
remodeling, new construction, site purchase and debt refinancing.  Combined
costs for the
projects totaled more than $3.4 million.

   Two interest-free loans totaling $93,700 were approved for congregations in
North
Carolina and Puerto Rico.  BCE now has committed $552,000 in interest-free
loans to six
congregations.

   In other action the directors:
   - approved reports showing 165 staff visits made to congregations during
August,
   September and October.
   - approved a 1997 operating budget of $8 million plus.

   Two retiring directors of the board were presented with certificates of
appreciation. 
Robert Harry, chairman of the board of Harry Mortgage Company, Oklahoma City,
Okla.,
and the Rev. Carl Flock, interim regional minister of the Christian Church
(Disciples of
Christ) in South Carolina, were honored for their many years of service to
BCE.

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