July 2013
On the Move
Dear Friends, Welcome to the July issue of On the Move. It is hard to believe that we are already entering the second half of the year 2013. As we begin this month, Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) is also beginning a new fiscal year. It is far too early to accurately gauge the financial results from the previous year, but all signs indicate another year of financial strength for LCEF. As important as financial results are, they pale in comparison to the impact that LCEF has on many ministries within our Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. You might have seen the tagline that LCEF uses in many of its advertisements – “where investments build ministry”. We all know that ministry is so much more than a building; but many aspects of ministry cannot occur without facilities, people, financial resources, etc. That is the impact that LCEF has on ministry. LCEF has partnered with hundreds of ministries throughout the country to provide loans for buildings and other ministry resources that have helped in the spread of the Gospel. LCEF is only able to provide financial resources to churches, schools, and other ministries because of the investment that thousands of individuals and organizations have made in LCEF. Many people believe that LCEF is only interested in obtaining investments from those who have been very blessed in terms of financial resources. The truth is that anyone can become an LCEF investor, regardless of financial status. LCEF investment accounts can be opened with as little as $100 or $500 and pay a competitive rate of interest; are backed by an unparalleled record of financial strength; and help in the building of churches, schools, and other resources needed in the support of ministry. This issue of On the Move focuses extensively on the benefits of becoming an LCEF investor and how every investor makes a difference in the support of ministries throughout the country. Speaking of our nation, this month we once again celebrate the birthday of the United States of America. I encourage you to keep our nation and its leaders in your daily prayers so that we as a nation would conduct ourselves in accordance with the many blessings our loving God has given us. I would also ask that you keep the delegates to the 65th Convention of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod in your prayers as they gather later this month in St. Louis. God has richly blessed our church body and I pray that we, in turn, would continue to boldly proclaim the Gospel under the theme “Baptized for this Moment.” Thank you for your past, present, and future support of the ministry of Lutheran Church Extension Fund. In HIS Service, Dennis Klussman LCEF Vice President