wfn.org | BCE board elects officers

["Wilma Shuffitt"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: December 22, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
Email: CMiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

98a-76

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Election of a new board member and new board 
officers were among the actions taken by the governing body of the 
Board of Church Extension of Disciples of Christ (BCE) during its 
December board of directors meeting.

	During the session, the Rev. Marvin K. Eckfeldt, senior minister of 
First Christian Church, Kent, Wash., and Gregory C. Smith, a 
certified public accountant and attorney from West Lafayette, Ind., 
were elected chairperson and vice chairperson of the board, 
respectively.

	 Minnie L. Smith, a claims representative for the Social Security 
Administration in Hannibal, Mo., was elected as a new board member to 
serve a three-year term.

	Also during the meeting, four directors were re-elected to 
three-year terms.  They are: the Rev. Gilberto Collazo, minister, 
University Gardens Christian Church, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; Marty 
Hollcroft, church and community volunteer, Phoenix, Ariz.; Jose D. 
(Bob) Santiago, assistant vice president of systems for Smith Barney, 
Queens Village, N.Y.; and the Rev. Charles D. Watkins, senior 
minister, Central Christian Church, Decatur, Ill.

	 Connie S. Inglish, outgoing BCE board chair, and director of 
stewardship and development for the Christian Church (Disciples of 
Christ) in Oklahoma, received a certificate of appreciation for her 
six years of service. 

	Loan approvals of $7.3 million reported to BCE directors will 
finance expansion and improvements for Christian Church (Disciples of 
Christ) congregations and other organizations.

	The projected loans, ranging in size from $4,200 to $1.5 million and 
coming from 14 states, will finance 32 building projects valued at 
$11 million for new construction, remodeling and debt refinancing.

	As of Nov. 30, 1998, reports showed loan balances of $92.4 million 
while the Board's assets stood at $112 million.  Investments placed 
with the Board, a primary source of loan funds, totaled $87.6 
million.

	In other action the directors:
	-- received reports showing 142 visits by staff members to Disciples 
congregations and organizations during August, September, and 
October
	-- approved a 1999 operating budget of $8.9 million
	-- continued discussion on revamping the structure of the board of 
directors with action on a new plan expected in March 1999.

	Just before its board meeting, BCE announced that Katrine E. Brooks, 
a BellSouth Telecommunications manager of staffing and employment in 
Atlanta, Georgia, will become Human Resources and Office Manager of 
BCE on Feb.15, 1999.

	Brooks will be responsible for staff employment, orientation and 
training and office coordination, said Erick (Rick) D. Reisinger, 
executive vice president and chief operating officer of the 
international planning and financing unit.  

	The South Carolina native currently is a member of Sandy Springs 
Christian Church, Atlanta, Ga.  Brooks is married to the Rev. James 
E. Brooks.

	-- end --

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