One of the most historic relationships CDF Capital has maintained over the years is with Lighthouse Christian Church in Oceanside, California.
When the first loan with the church was initiated in 1970, Twin Cities Christian Church members were challenged to invest funds at CDF Capital to cover the loan amount. The congregation responded, and the church could construct a worship center, fellowship hall, classrooms, and offices.
The first loan amount was just $85,000.
Years later, Senior Pastor and CDF Capital Board Member Richard “Dick” Miller decided to pass the torch to a younger man who could lead the church through its next phase of growth. Mike Openshaw was a student at Lincoln Christian Seminary and had been challenging his fellow students to “go west,” seeing the need for the gospel in California. Now, it was his turn.
After fifteen years of ministry in Illinois and in his home state of Georgia, Mike succeeded Dick to lead Twin Cities in 1993. In 2000, Twin Cities worked with CDF Capital to purchase land on one of the highest points in Oceanside. They changed the church’s name to Lighthouse Christian Church, as the church could be seen as a beacon from miles around and served as a virtual lighthouse to the lost in need of a Savior.
In 2023, Mike completed his ministry at Lighthouse. He and his wife Andrea retired, sold their home, and moved to Montana to be closer to their grandchildren. Mike and Andrea will never really retire from ministry. It is their life’s calling to serve Christ wherever they go.
During Mike’s farewell sermon, he remarked that during his time at Lighthouse, the church baptized 1,440 people. At the end of that sermon, three more people came forward and were baptized into Christ, putting the final tally at 1,443.
Senior Vice President Brad Dupray has long managed the relationship with the Lighthouse church.
He had the opportunity to walk alongside Mike over three decades, from developing properties to raising investments from church members and seeing dreams fulfilled. He observes, “Of course, the building of a church facility is not the end-game; it is simply a tool used to reach the ultimate goal of helping the church grow and giving the baptistry a workout.”
Brad continued with well wishes: “Well done, Mike and Andrea. You have proven, as Dick Miller did before you, the words of I Corinthians 15:58, ‘Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain, in the Lord.’ Go north, Openshaws. California’s loss is Montana’s gain.”