wfn.org | ‘One Church for All Peoples' theme of BCE board meeting

["Office of Communications"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: July 10, 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

00b-34

	LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The theme of "One Church for All ‘Peoples'" was 
brought to life June 16-19 as Board of Church Extension board of directors 
and staff visited several Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 
congregations in the Los Angeles area. 

	During the governing board meeting, staff and directors experienced ways 
in which many cultures and racial ethnic groups interact and participate 
in the Los Angeles area as members of the Christian Church (Disciples of 
Christ). Staff and directors also saw examples of how BCE's services have 
benefitted Disciples congregations in the area.
 
	More than 140 people attended the opening banquet at Wilshire Boulevard 
Christian Church, here. Speakers included the Rev. Donald Shelton, 
regional minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Pacific 
Southwest; Royal Morales, a retired sociologist and leader of the Filipino 
Christian Church in Los Angeles; and the Rev Jaikwan Ahn, who handles new 
church development for Asian American Ministries, Pacific Southwest 
region.  Morales and Ahn spoke about cultural changes that have occurred 
in the Los Angeles area over the past 50 years.

	The fruits of BCE's ministry with Disciples congregations in the Pacific 
Southwest region were experienced firsthand June 18 as groups of directors 
and staff journeyed to six area Disciples churches.  Staff and directors 
worshiped at Abundant Life, Church of the Valley, Church of the Valley - 
Korean Ministry, Sun Valley Iglesia Cristiana, Filipino Christian Church 
and First Christian Church, North Hollywood.

	"The genuine hospitality and spirit-filled worship experiences were 
uplifting to BCE  staff and directors," said the Rev. James L. Powell, 
president of Board of Church Extension.

	Staff and directors also toured All Peoples Christian Center and All 
Peoples Christian Church. The groups witnessed first-hand this important 
ministry in downtown Los Angeles as All Peoples partners with Homeland 
Ministries. Other church visits included West Adams, McCarty Memorial and 
Hollywood-Beverly Christian churches.

	During the meeting, Board of Church Extension directors received a report 
showing approval of more than $7.3 million in loan requests for the 
quarter to underwrite 29 capital improvement projects. As of May 31, 
reports showed loan balances of $103.2 million while the board's assets 
stood at $114.6 million. Investments placed with BCE, a primary source of 
loan funds, totaled $90.2 million.

	Church Extension directors also reviewed the ministry plans to implement 
goals established for BCE at the March board meeting.

	Directors also received reports showing 201 church visits by BCE staff 
members during February, March and April. During the same three-month 
period, staff directed 11 fund-raising campaigns that achieved pledges of 
nearly $4 million.

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