Kenya has a fast-growing Lutheran population, yet a relatively small number of full-time pastors. In order to assist and support Lutheran congregations, missions, and schools in this largely Muslim country, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK) constructed a new building called Luther Plaza in Nairobi. LCEF assisted the ELCK with a construction loan made possible through the Arthur C. Haake World Ministry Fund. According to LCMS World Mission, the ELCK has 70,000 members yet only 110 pastors to serve them. The three-story building houses ELCK headquarters, and the central diocese and Nairobi Parish offices, and ministry space. The yet-unneeded extra office space is being rented out to help sustain the operation of the building.

When Hannah, Benjamin, and Seth Meyer obtained their first K.I.D.S. Stamps, they became the third generation to invest in the LCEF ministry. Their parents, Darcy and David Meyer, tell their children that LCEF is a stewardship and ministry tool, as well as a way to invest safely.

Darcy’s parents, Dr. Gary and Nola Treece, of Yakima, Wash., helped her invest in LCEF when she was a child. David’s parents, Rev. Laurence and Ona Meyer introduced him to the program when he attended Emanuel Lutheran School in Hamburg, Minn., and participated in the Minnesota South District’s stamp program. Rev. and Mrs. Meyer say that “there is something special in knowing another generation enjoys preparing for the future and supporting the Lord’s work.”

Moving from one church to another is a busy time for pastors and their families. Rev. Craig Meissner of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Steger, Ill., went through that very process last year. He and his wife Rebekah used LCEF’s mortgage services, and said it helped make the transfer a little less chaotic.

“The loan process was very easy,” Rev. Meissner said. “The rate (at LCEF) was good and competitive—it was one of the best rates we saw out there.” He thinks LCEF provides some advantages such as lower than expected closing costs, and LCEF waives the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

As the congregation at St. John Lutheran Church and School, Darien, Ill., decided to remodel and update the church, it decided to really analyze its needs for the facility. To do that, it used Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s (LCEF) Strategic Ministry Planning. “It was a matter of saying, ‘Let’s start at the beginning and make sure we have our house in order, lay the foundation first.’” said Kathy McClain, St. John’s business manager.

St. John’s leadership approached the design team with a purpose and vision. Now that the plan is in place and renovations are complete, they have shifted their focus to an important milestone: the church’s 150th anniversary later this year.

Faith Lutheran Church in Georgetown, Texas, has grown to nearly 1,100 members since it was first chartered in 1982. A Laborers For Christ crew is helping the congregation build a new 17,000-square-foot sanctuary that will seat over 600; the current sanctuary is being remodeled to become a multi-purpose space. Al Springer is shown here working on steel framing.