Disciples News Service Release

Title: Disciples groups receive record loan amounts in 1996
December 16, 1996
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org

                          

96b-101

   INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- "Nineteen ninety-six has been a record year 
in the total dollar amount of loans approved for use by Disciples 
congregations and organizations," the Rev. James L. Powell, Board 
of Church Extension president, told directors during their
recent meeting.

   A total of $23.6 million was approved this year on 128 loans to 
assist churches with building projects and other improvements. The 
previous high for loans approved in one year was $22.2 million in 1992.

   Jane D. Lollis, an attorney from Louisville, Ky., and Connie 
S. Inglish, Stillwater,Okla., director of stewardship and 
development for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 
Oklahoma, were elected chairperson and vice-chairperson of the board of
directors, respectively.

   Three new directors were elected to three-year terms.  Those 
named were:  Linda S.Carlson, an independent certified public 
accountant and financial manager, Kansas City,Mo.; Murvin S. 
Enders, vice president of administrative affairs for IWC Resources
Corporation, Indianapolis; and W. Gordon Hamlin, Jr., an attorney 
in the law firm of Powell, Goldstein, Frazier and Murphy, Atlanta. 

   The Rev. Marvin K. Eckfeldt, minister of First Christian Church, 
Kent, Wash., and Susan L. Morris, vice president of the 
Heritage-Joslyn Foundation, Omaha, Neb., were reelected to 
three-year terms.

   BCE directors also approved fourth quarter loan requests of 
nearly $2.4 million.  The loans will finance expansion and improvements 
for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)congregations and other 
organizations.

   Requests for loans came from 11 states and Puerto Rico for 23 
projects including remodeling, new construction, site purchase and 
debt refinancing.  Combined costs for the projects totaled more 
than $3.4 million.

   Two interest-free loans totaling $93,700 were approved for 
congregations in North Carolina and Puerto Rico.  BCE now has 
committed $552,000 in interest-free loans to six congregations.

   In other action the directors:
   - approved reports showing 165 staff visits made to congregations during August,
   September and October.
   - approved a 1997 operating budget of $8 million plus.

   Two retiring directors of the board were presented with certificates 
of appreciation. Robert Harry, chairman of the board of Harry Mortgage 
Company, Oklahoma City, Okla., and the Rev. Carl Flock, interim regional 
minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in South Carolina, 
were honored for their many years of service to BCE.

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Posted: July 16, 2004