wfn.org | PILP Officials Report Encouraging News

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

23-September-1997 
97373 
 
    PILP Officials Report Encouraging News 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--During its board of directors meeting here Sept. 6-7, the 
Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, Inc. (PILP), announced 
encouraging news, including a total balance sheet as of July 31, 1997, of 
$11,078,251 and a steady increase in the number of loans offered by the 
corporation to congregations. 
 
    The Rev. Kenneth G.Y. Grant, PILP president and chief executive 
officer, said the corporation presently has approximately $6 million in 
loan assets. Additionally, he said the program's 1997 loan underwriting 
total is $2,114,000. To date, PILP has committed to nine loans not yet 
closed totaling $6,800,000. 
 
    "We have several more loan approvals that are pending and forthcoming," 
said PILP board member and loan committee chair Ray Tanner of Jackson, 
Tennessee. Tanner presented a check to PILP for $50,000 from the Presbytery 
of Memphis. During PILP's July 13 meeting, Tanner presented a check for 
$100,000 from Memphis Presbytery. 
 
    Grant said investments received by PILP now exceed $4.4 million and the 
total number of investments has soared beyond 225. 
 
    "Our investors are faithful and committed Christians who want to share 
the good news," Grant said. "Each investment helps the PC(USA) grow church 
by church, building by building. Each investment improves the probability 
that those who have not yet met Jesus Christ will do so." 
 
    In other PILP news, Sarah Jo Sarchet,  PILP's marketing intern, said a 
recent focus group indicated that Presbyterians are interested in church 
mission and that when this information is communicated properly, excitement 
is generated. 
 
     Citing PILP's new Web site as an example, she said computer users 
indicated they actually preferred the Web site to PILP's 800 number for 
information. The Web site location is http://www.pcusa.org/pilp 
 
    "Our success will ultimately be told in the number of people who commit 
to reinvestments," Sarchet said. "But we are very excited about our Web 
site statistics." 
 
    Diane Wheeler, PILP marketing director, reported that the PILP display 
worked well during the Presbyterian Women's (PW) Gathering in July, 
attracting 100 people who took offering circulars. Wheeler reported that 
the display will be used further at two church professional meetings and 
several presbytery events this fall. Also out of the PW Gathering will come 
an article being developed for publication in "HORIZONS" magazine early 
next year. 
 
    The next PILP board of directors' meeting is scheduled for November 2, 
1997, in Louisville. 

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