Churches Have Been and Remain Essential Now More Than Ever
While the debate whether churches should be considered essential continues and guidelines are rolled out for churches that would like to open up, CDF Capital maintains that churches have always been essential. This past March, CDF Capital offered $5.25 million in relief to more than 150 churches across the United States so that they could focus on local relief efforts to their communities to demonstrate that commitment.
The Church Assistance Program (CAP-19) from CDF Capital, was founded on the principle that churches are an integral part of community relief efforts. From food distribution to prayer and counseling, CDF Capital wanted to ensure that churches could focus on supporting the needs of their attendees and city.
“Churches have always been essential and now more than ever we need to show our continued support so that they can provide relief to their local communities.” —Dusty Rubeck, President of CDF Capital
CAP-19 enables any church with a current CDF Capital mortgage or construction loan to obtain penalty-free financial support in one of two ways: 6 months/interest only or six months of payments reduced by 33%. This unprecedented program during an unprecedented time is a first in CDF’s 67 year history.
Dusty Rubeck, President of CDF Capital shares, “The church is foundational to the community. Even before COVID-19, people would turn to the church for hope, prayer, resources in time of need, and support. Churches have always been essential and now more than ever we need to show our continued support so that they can provide relief to their local communities.”
Churches that are a part of CDF Capital’s CAP-19 program span across the United States and are serving their local communities in unique ways. Arundel Church in Maryland has become the largest food distribution center in the county and is partnering with other local churches to distribute food to households and a Recovery Home Network. Pure Heart Church in Arizona is distributing food and necessities to 400 families every two hours almost daily as part of their food distribution and also is offering mental health support. Central Church in Las Vegas, Nevada is doing pop up food pantries. They have served 56,606 families, 257,431 people, and a total of 2,943,512 lbs of food.
Rubeck continues, “This is not a time for the church to retreat, it is a time for the church to advance. And we intend to help them do that. As the world adjusts to the spread of COVID-19 and Americans adjust to the realities of social distancing, the need for the church and for spiritual strength is magnified. Our commitment is to provide transformational capital to churches because our mission is to help churches grow.”
While the participating CAP-19 churches have seen an increase in need for food, counseling and supplies, they have also seen an increase in volunteers, donations and partnerships with other churches and businesses.
“When we share the heart of God for people in love and service, He’s going to make sure we have everything we need to do the job that He’s called us to do.” —Bob Hake, Lead Pastor of Go Ministries, Pure Heart Church
For the past three weeks, Abundant Life Church in Portland, Oregon has been delivering two truckloads of food donated by organic growers to Catholic Charities (CC). The food is then distributed by volunteers and staff to households in need including refugee families throughout Portland.
Lead Pastor of Go Ministry at Pure Heart Church shares what he has seen, “What’s been amazing to me is the fact that our outflow has increased three and half times, and our inflow has increased three and half times. That means what we’re giving away, God is bringing back in. And it just proves the point that, when we share the heart of God for people in love and service, He’s going to make sure we have everything we need to do the job that He’s called us to do.”
Pure Heart Church reaching the community in new ways due to COVID-19
The only requirement for CDF Capital’s borrowing churches to participate in CAP-19 is that they must complete and submit a CAP-19 Financial Contingency Plan that describes the impact of COVID-19 on their congregation, as well as how they plan to respond. Churches participating in the assistance program will begin to see relief starting with their May payments.
During this time of crisis nationwide and around the globe, CDF Capital is encouraging individuals who are in a position to help churches, to do so directly through their local churches. CDF Capital is also asking everyone to join them in praying for the church and government leaders as they navigate COVID-19.
For more information about the CAP-19 program and ways which you can be involved, please visit: www.cdfcapital.org/cap-19/
About CDF Capital
CDF Capital was founded in 1953 with a single mission to help churches grow. At that time, the most significant barrier for church expansion was access to the financial capital needed to purchase land and construct buildings, so we stepped in and provided loans and investment options to help fund these projects. Since our founding, CDF Capital has assisted with the expansion and growth of more than 1,000 churches and ministries across the United States. Thanks to the thousands of individuals who have invested millions into our mission, CDF Capital is a national ministry with more than $600 million in total assets.
