DCEF Loan Opens New Possibilities in a Crisis

Sanctuary

When a retired school administrator went from serving as financial officer at her church to chair of the board, the “fit” was obvious. The church’s biggest mission: a preschool teeming with children.

But less than two weeks later, First Christian Church of Houston (FCC-Houston) ceased in-person worship and the preschool closed just days after she became board chair. Sharon Benka recognized all too well a threat to both entities. When the school reopened on June 1, enrollment had dropped to 30 children (from 140).

With the panic of pandemic, how would a declining, aging congregation respond? In a word, “faithfully,” Sharon reports, recognizing the school and its families were their ministry, she said.

  • The church kept the staff on the payroll through the shutdown.
  • They understood completely when the then-director resigned to stay home to protect her newborn from an unknown virus.
  • They enthusiastically embraced new leadership from Ember Mandell, who had served previously as interim director and agreed to come back and run the school.

Then they reached out to Disciples Church Extension Fund for help. Building and Capital Services Advisor Craig Walls walked them through the application for a loan, tailoring the agreement to fit their needs.

Sign reading 'Congrats Preak'

Buoyed by the loan, the church pivoted again, following their new director’s lead to reposition the preschool during the slow season. Staff retrained to offer a Christian Montessori model.

Enrollment hit 100 recently, with a growing waiting list, Sharon said.

With a partner like DCEF, not much scares them anymore.

Started by the generosity and vision of faithful Disciples in 1883, DCEF has helped churches and ministry organizations secure facilities and carry out life-changing mission. Your support makes sure that DCEF is there to help people connect with God, each other, and their communities, as we continue to adapt to changing needs.

If you would like to learn ways to be a part of Disciples helping Disciples through DCEF, please contact us at 1.800.274.1883 or gifts@disciplescef.org.