Expanding ministry
added June 5th, 2008For the 205 members of Melfield United Church of Christ in Haw River, North Carolina, ministry means continually growing an open heart for the community. Centered in a rural area that is home to many farmers and textile workers, the church has sponsored a successful food program that feeds 150 families. But to meet another big need — supporting working and single parent families with after-school programs — they required more space. After considering the project for several years, the church turned to the Cornerstone Fund when they decided to move forward.
To meet their goal of offering before- and after-school care and tutoring programs, Melfield UCC built a 2,500-square-foot educational building. Borrowing part of the funds for the $164,000 project from the Cornerstone Fund, the church conducted a capital campaign that will
enable them to pay the mortgage over the next five years. Completed in the fall of 2003, the new building provides space for Sunday School, houses the clerk’s office and accessible restrooms, and even offers shower facilities should the church be needed as an emergency shelter.
The pastor of Melfield UCC, The Rev. Dannie T. Williams, got to know the Cornerstone Fund when serving as an Associate Conference Minister. “The Cornerstone Fund is very helpful — not just with loans, but with the business decisions that go into making capital improvements,” he said. “I’d strongly encourage any congregation to consider the Cornerstone Fund when building or renovating, or for
investments. It’s definitely the way to go.”
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