wfn.org | BCE reports record loan amounts in 1997

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org (DISCNEWS)]

Date: December 22, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-68
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- "It is another record
year for loan disbursements to Disciples
congregations and organizations," reported the
Rev.  James L. Powell, president, to the Board of
Church Extension directors during their Dec. 16-17
board meeting.

     A total of $24.1 million was approved by BCE
staff and directors this year for 135 loans to
assist Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
congregations and organizations with building and
other improvements. This record exceeds the 1996
total of $23.6 million for loans approved in one
year.  

     "Such high loan levels reflect the increased
activity of congregations as they seek to deal
with their building and accessibility issues,"
Powell explained. Total loans during the past five
years exceeded $95 million.

     Fourth-quarter loan requests of $2 million
were approved by staff and directors to finance 28
projects  in 19 states for new construction,
remodeling and debt refinancing. Included were
three interest-free loans totaling $164,250 for
congregations in Texas and Kentucky. 

     Connie Inglish, Stillwater, Okla., director
of stewardship and development for the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma, was
elected chairperson of BCE's board of directors.
The Rev. Marvin Eckfeldt, Kent, Wash., senior
minister of First Christian Church, was chosen
vice-chairperson.

     Four new persons were elected to three-year
terms. Those named were: the Rev. W. Darwin
Collins, Pittsburgh, regional minister and
president of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in Pennsylvania; and the Rev. Joyce Frame,
pastor of Keizer (Ore.) Christian Church.  Also
named were: Marian P. Hamlett, Flower Mound,
Texas, a certified public accountant; and the Rev.
J. O. Williams, Sr., Wilson, N.C., associate
regional minister of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina.

     Gregory C. Smith, West Lafayette, Ind., a
certified public accountant and attorney, was
reelected to a three-year term. 

     Directors named the Rev. Eugene Randall, II,
to the position of BCE corporate secretary. He
will take over responsibilities from Erick D.
(Rick) Reisinger who will continue as executive
vice president and chief operating officer.
Randall's new staff position will include planning
board meetings and maintaining board records, in
addition to continuing his consultant role with
congregations. 

     In other staff announcements, the Rev.
Deborah R. Thompson will become director of Vision
Builders, a development arm of New Congregation
Establishment, effective June 1998. Powell told
directors that a search has begun for Thompson's
successor as director of New Congregation
Establishment. 

     Powell also noted in his report to directors
that Reisinger will coordinate the consultant
services to congregations, succeeding the Rev.
Gary W. Kidwell who moves Jan. 1, 1998, to the
Christian Church Foundation staff.

     In other action the directors:

     --  approved reports showing 146 staff visits
made to congregations during August, September and
October.

     --  approved an operating budget of $8.7
million.

     --  approved Kevin R. McGuire, AIA,
Lexington, Ky., as a special architectural
consultant for BCE.

     Four retiring directors were presented with
certificates of appreciation: Sally H. Blowitz,
Studio City, Calif., deputy director of Health
Sciences Development at UCLA; the Rev. Rene
Rodgers Jensen, Omaha, Neb., co-minister of First
Christian Church; Jane D. Lollis, Louisville, Ky.,
attorney; and Eldredge M. Williams, Memphis,
Tenn., executive vice president, Universal Life
Insurance Company. 

                    -- end --

DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director