Success Stories

Sharing gifts of joy! Our consultants work with many churches and associations like yours as they actively move forward making their visions for ministry become reality.

Read how CFS has helped:

• St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bullhead City, Ariz.
• St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
• Carmel Lutheran, Carmel, Ind.
• Immanuel, East Dundee, Ill.
• Risen Christ, Fairport, N.Y.
• St. John, Geneseo, Ill.
• St. Paul, St. Joseph, Mo.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bullhead City, Ariz.

Just 12 weeks into the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bullhead City, Ariz., congregation's capital stewardship campaign, a number of surprises have surfaced.

The St. John's campaign commitment event was March 20. But by mid-June, regular Sunday offerings had increased significantly and nearly $100,000 of commitment fulfillments had already been received—a quarter of the stated goal.

The congregation has had impressive growth in membership and worship attendance over the past few years and has outgrown its present facilities. It is looking to add space and accessibility to keep up with its growing community, as well as that of Bullhead City.

Another surprise of the campaign—called "Launch Out," based on Luke 5:3-9 and related to the church's proximity to the Colorado River—has been the intense support and enthusiasm members have shown even though the local economy has been struggling.

God has provided additional gifts along the way, including the opportunity to purchase $50,000 worth of commercial kitchen equipment for $6,000—which was then covered by a generous donation from a church council member.

CFS consultant Rev. Larry Reinhardt says members have caught the vision of what God has in mind for them and support it willingly.

St. John pastor Rev. Dr. Earl J. Pierce said that it is a "God-thing" that motivates members to give joyfully and sacrificially. Members say they want to move forward toward an exciting "preferred future" and to be a congregation that expresses its vision and value with bold and decisive steps.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Members of St. Andrew invited CFS consultant Rev. Dr. Jock Ficken to lead them in a capital campaign to retire debt and set aside 10% for mission work. Started in early 2010, the congregation has exceeded its goal and, as of March 2011, with pledges of more than $1.46 million.

Lay minister James G. Hicks said that "Jock brought an energy and enthusiasm for biblical stewardship that is inspiring and contagious. He tailored a campaign for our leaders and congregation that enabled us to reach our goal, as we sought God's guidance and blessings for our ministry."

The congregation was able to retire its debt, including $85,000 paid out of its budget annually, and has funds for other ministries, such as its older adult outreach. The congregation wanted to ensure it was not missing the opportunity to serve this part of the community, therefore provides a transportation service. Each week a specially equipped vehicle, hired by the church, picks up seniors at their home or from assisted living centers. Church volunteers ride in the van to greet the riders, assist with loading and unloading, and usher them into the church.

Carmel Lutheran Church, Carmel, Ind.

Pastor Luther Brunette said that his congregation appreciated CFS consultant Rev. John Kieschnick's "use of the Scriptures in all aspects of the campaign." He is helping the congregation with a multi-faceted campaign and provided pastor coaching to Pastor Brunette.

"Every time we gathered with him," Brunette said of Kieschnick, "our training meetings would have an element of dynamic Bible teaching...His message during our worship services was challenging, yet Gospel centered and motivating."

The congregation began its campaign in fall 2009 and in January 2010 had already seen an increase in giving for the general budget increase 13%. There was also an increase in interest from families wishing to leave legacy gifts to the church as well.

Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Dundee, Ill.

"The Big Serve" is just one of the blessed outcomes of Immanuel's latest campaign. Members embarked on a second campaign with CFS in fall 2010 to reduce debt and free up funds for ministry.

The one-day event, called "The Big Serve," put 450 volunteers into the community working on 30 volunteer projects. Immanuel member and co-organizer of the event Kelley Hoyt told a local newspaper that this was a "new level of stewardship" for members.

Rev. Bill Yonker, senior pastor, said that by reducing debt, the congregation will be able to expand its plans to serve its community. "The possibilities around us are just endless, but we need to pay off this mortgage first." He has no doubts they can do it too. For the congregation's first campaign with CFS, an $800,000 goal was set; because members raised more than $1.5 million, they were able to make the planned-for repairs to the church as well as unplanned school upgrades.

Yonker said that this latest campaign has members energized, created a sense of unity and encouraged more people to become involved. "That was a huge benefit for us."

Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Fairport, N.Y.

All "campaigned out," members of Risen Christ were looking for a program to "excite and enthuse" them during their second CFS campaign—they were not looking for just another "stewardship speech," according to Dr. Arnold Deknatel. They asked CFS' Rev. Stephen Wagner to conduct a Building and Believing Weekend with the congregation.

The weekend included two sessions Saturday which the congregation opened up to surrounding congregations in the region. There were 60 leaders from 11 congregations that participated in "Four Leadership Fundamentals for Healthy, Missional Congregations" and "Thinking Like a Leader: A SWOT Analysis." Deknatel said both were well received, particularly the last which allowed the leaders to review their organizations' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

During Sunday services, Wagner was the guest preacher and guided the Bible studies. The weekend also involved a marriage event Saturday and fellowship time Sunday, during which Wagner was available.

"In all, this was a successful weekend...I am left with the good sense that LCEF is indeed a partner in ministry," Deknatel said.

St. John Lutheran Church, Geneseo, Ill.

The Stewardship Committee at St. John chose CFS for its campaign because of the cost, the experience of CFS consultant Mark Marshall and the fact that the program is "scripturally based and theologically sound," according to Rev. Christopher Bushre. "LCEF's campaign was not focused on raising money. It focused on the congregation growing spiritually, closer to our Lord and one another, as we learned together the Biblical principles of stewardship."

Joyfully, the congregation exceeded its goal of $600,000 to bring in $760,000 and celebrated a groundbreaking in spring 2011. "We are not a large congregation," Bushre said. "But by the work of the Holy Spirit, and though the guidance, support and program of Mark and CFS LCEF, we did what we weren't sure was possible...My congregation and I whole-heartedly recommend Capital Funding Services of Lutheran Church Extension Fund and Mark Marshall."

St. Paul Lutheran Church, School and Child-Care, St. Joseph, Mo.

"Spiritually enriching and productive," members at St. Paul found a true partner in CFS for a campaign to help them expand their popular school.

Rev. Terry Weinhold said that the congregation has participated in small and large campaigns for various building projects, but none seemed as fulfilling as this one. As a result, the congregation nearly met the high end of its campaign goal.

"With our fast-growing school and the unmet needs of space for the youth of our congregation, we faced a project that was larger than a congregation our size could reasonable undertake...We were thrilled to receive more than $1.4 million in cash and pledges through the drive coordinated by Mark [Marshall]," Weinhold said.