Executive Director Becca Jones recently attended a groundbreaking celebration at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Dallas, which was followed by a delicious chili cook-off. She joined Pastor Robert Preece, Business and Facilities Manager Jerry Knippa, CEF Rep Michael Fuchs, and many dedicated members of the congregation on a brisk and windy day in January.
Michael Stamp, a member of the congregation, explains what it is like to work with Texas CEF on this new project:
“We at Zion Lutheran Church and School, Dallas, have an excellent and long-standing relationship with Texas District Church Extension Fund (CEF). We’ve had various facility improvements financed through them over the past twenty years. In 2016, our congregation secured a CEF loan for the first phase of our Boldly Building Zion’s Mission (BBZM) project. The initial build included a Music Rehearsal Hall, several new School Classrooms and new School Offices. After paying off this loan in 2020, we secured an additional loan in 2021 for the final phase of BBZM—a state-of-the-art 12,500-square-foot gymnasium.”
On January 9, 2022, Zion held the Groundbreaking for the new Recreational Outreach Center (ROC). This gymnasium will essentially complete the campus and enable Zion Lutheran School to better serve its students and families. It will also function as an outreach facility to the community—a beacon on the busy corner of Skillman & Lovers Lane—when it’s completed in the fall of 2022.
Stamp went on to say,
“Texas CEF has played an important role in the ongoing enthusiasm and momentum of BBZM. They offered very competitive rates and understood our congregation’s needs and mission, helping us to step out in faith and fulfill the Lord’s work. This is why they were and continue to be our congregation’s first choice.”
Jerry P. Knippa, Business and Facilities Manager, Zion Lutheran Church & School, added:
“Our relationship with CEF has been great! They have always been very helpful and responsive to our needs and requests, especially Ruby Cruz in Loan Administration and Kenda Zawadzki and Joan Zieschang in Savings Administration. LCMS churches in Texas are blessed to have access to the lending and savings services offered by the Texas District CEF.”
Each of the nearly 12,000 investors with Texas District CEF made this groundbreaking possible. May God continue to bless all the ministries as they multiply followers of Jesus!
