Becca Jones, Executive Director, Texas District Church Extension Fund, Rev. Dr. Martin J Brauer, Senior Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 
Matthew C. Headley, Congregational Operations Manager, Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church, Mark Minick, good Shepherd Lutheran Church and
Rev. Dr. Martin J Brauer, Senior Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
It’s not often that a lender and borrower come together to celebrate a debt paid-in-full, but that is exactly what happens when there is a ministry partnership.
On September 8, 2019 members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cedar Park, gathered to worship and rejoice a momentous accomplishment, becoming debt-free. It seemed fitting that the celebration should take place just as Good Shepherd launches into a Financial Peace University Program, fittingly titled, Defying Gravity: A Life Debt Free. For Good Shepherd, being debt free means they can explore “what’s next” for their ministry outreach, and if the next thing is half as impactful as their “Follow The Star” program, great things are sure to happen!
Although the mortgage went “down in flames” the long-standing relationship between Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Texas District Church Extension Fund (Texas CEF) remains strong and focused. As part of the event, and with paper raindrops in the background, information about Texas CEF’s recently launched Rainy Day Fund was shared. This was another natural fit with the theme of the day, given the purpose of the Rainy Day Fund is to intentionally put money aside for unexpected expenses, while also earning an attractive interest rate AND helping ministry.
Joining Good Shepherd for this event is an example of the “ministry dividend” from being part of the Texas District—beyond interest rates and loan terms. It’s about celebrating the right things and Good Shepherd did just that, focusing most of all on what Jesus Christ did for every one of us on the cross. It was not a “down payment” for our sins, and not a “six-month interest free” arrangement. He made the FULL payment and there is no greater reason to celebrate than knowing our debt of sin is “paid in full.”