wfn.org | Disciples Church Extension directors get field education

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Date: August 21, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
E-mail: cmiller@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

01a-43

	ORLANDO, Fla. (DNS) - Directors and staff experienced first
hand the growth from starting new congregations in the Florida
Region during Church Extension's summer out-of-town board
meeting in Orlando, Fla.   During the meeting, directors and
staff visited new Hispanic congregations in the Orlando area.
Several new church planters and representatives from the region
also met with Church Extension to share their experiences and
visions of new church ministry in Florida.

	Staff and directors saw examples of how Church Extension
services have benefitted Disciples congregations in the Orlando
area.  They also learned how established churches can start new
churches.

	According to Jim Powell, Church Extension president, "Our theme
for the out-of-town board meeting (The Future is Now! 1,000 is
the Goal!) seemed very appropriate for the new mandate to start
1,000 new congregations during the next 20 years.  It is evident
that this movement is alive and well in Florida."

	Guest speakers for the meeting included Bill Morrison, regional
minister of the Christian Church in Florida; Hector Santiago,
lay pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Hispana de Norte Orlando; and
Deborah Thompson, former director of New Congregation
Establishment and currently a new church planter of a
multi-cultural congregation in Orlando.

	According to Bill Morrison, "The Florida region has taken on
the challenge to plant 20 new churches in the next five years.
We have five exciting new church plants right now.  We are
committed in this region to support those people who want to be
new church planters."

	Several church visits were made during the three-day meeting.
Staff and directors visited First Christian Church in Melbourne.
In the early 1990s, the congregation hosted a new Hispanic
Disciples group in its facility, now known as Primera Iglesia
Cristiana Discipulos de Cristo in Palm Bay.  A visit was also
made to the Palm Bay congregation which became the first
completed project of the Vision Builders! Volunteer Construction
program.

	Staff and directors worshiped with members of Iglesia Cristiana
en Kissimmee,  a rapidly growing congregation that has over 600
in worship.  Other church visits included Central Christian
Church in Orlando; Iglesia Cristiana del Oeste de Orlando and
Iglesia Cristiana Hispana de Norte Orlando.

	During the meeting, Jim Hamlett, Church Extension's vice
president, chief financial officer and treasurer, was honored
for his 28 years of service.  Effective August 1, Hamlett became
vice president/president-elect of the Pension Fund.

	Also honored was Gilberto Collazo, Church Extension's board
chairperson. Collazo stepped down as board chair in order to
join the New Church Ministry team, effective July 1.  Directors
elected Linda Carlson, Shawnee, Kan. as the new board
chairperson and Darwin Collins, Pittsburgh, Pa., as the vice
chairperson.

	During the June 22-25 meeting, directors confirmed more than
$11 million in loan requests for the quarter to underwrite 43
capital improvement projects. As of April 30, reports showed
loan balances of $108 million while Church Extension's assets
stood at $119 million.  Investments placed with Church
Extension, a primary source of loan funds, totaled $94 million.

	Directors also received reports showing 204 church visits by
Church Extension staff members during the same three month
period.

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