Annual Conference 4% Certificate
This year’s Annual Conference was anything but routine for a number of reasons, one of which was the Development Company’s special 4% Reserve Certificate. After months of teases and finally the big announcement, Methodists who hadn’t planned to come to Conference changed their mind. This was an offer far too good to pass up, but it was only available during the annual weekend get-together.
People lined up early to turn in their completed applications or fill one out at the Foundation’s booth. Customer Service Representative Leo Rodriguez said “The traffic was generally steady, so clients didn’t have to wait long, and many clients had done a great job of completing their applications, so all we needed to do was quickly check them over and accept them.”
The results were spectacular – far exceeding anyone’s best guess! 89 individuals and churches have made new investments with the Development Company. “But the thing I’m most excited about,” said Leo, “is that 63 of those investors – more than 70% – were first time investors! This is immensely important, because our statistics indicate that once a person or a church invests with us, they generally stay with us and increase their investment. They buy into the concept of missional investing and helping another United Methodist church by their investment. So, in one weekend, we increased our number of investors by 20%!”
Also not to be overlooked is the $5.1M which was raised. This money will quickly be turned around and loaned out to churches in several districts throughout the state. One will use it to buy a beautiful, new parsonage that complies with the Book of Discipline guidelines. Another will refinance their mortgage. A third will use it to re-roof their sanctuary and education wing, bring several bathrooms up to ADA code and do some other needed repairs. As Leo likes to say “Methodista Ayudando a Methodista“ (Methodists Helping Methodists).
On behalf of everyone at the Foundation and the churches around the Conference who will benefit from these great investments …. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!