Twenty-five years ago, a small group of energetic Lutheran souls began worshipping together in the beautiful oceanfront town of Juno Beach, Florida. They had no church, so they assembled for service in one another's homes. They christened themselves Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.

It wasn't long before the intrepid congregants decided to secure a more prayerful environment. Within a couple years, the group found a 5 1/2 acre site, walking distance to the beach, that seemed to be a perfect setting for a church and buildings for ministry. But it was beyond the congregation's budget.

"The Mission Investment Fund agreed to purchase all 5½ acres for us," the current pastor, the Rev. Frank Wagner, recounts. MIF promptly sold two acres back to the congregation, and the congregation built its church. MIF held onto the remaining 3½ acres.

When the time was right, the congregation bought back the final parcel of property. Now the congregation could fulfill its long-term plan: creating a Learning Center and Preschool. "That MIF held onto the property for so long meant so much to all of us," Pastor Wagner says. "That was phenomenal!"

Timing is everything. Just when Holy Spirit Lutheran, aided by a new MIF loan, was poised to proceed with the Learning Center, the Great Recession hit. "We almost postponed plans to build during the tough economy," Pastor Wagner admits. "But the Mission Investment Fund told us: 'We'll stand with you as long as pledges from your capital campaign come in.' "

That was all the encouragement Pastor Wagner needed. "If God wants this to happen, this will happen," Pastor Wagner says. "So we went forward. We trusted God, and we trusted our people. And throughout, MIF remained a tremendous partner. MIF stayed with us. We couldn't have built without MIF and the ELCA."

In August 2009 — at the height of the difficult economy — Holy Spirit dedicated its new Learning Center and Preschool. Within a year, the preschool was filled to capacity. The preschool now serves more than 100 little ones—from infants in a child care setting through five-year-olds in preschool. "Our interest with the school is to provide a strong Christian influence," Pastor Wagner says. "We provide a loving environment with more personal care and attention for each child. The parents are finding this to be true. Some of the preschool families are starting to join us at church on Sunday."

Holy Spirit's new Learning Center also comes to life with Confirmation classes for young teens, Sunday school sessions, adult education classes and as many as nine 12-step recovery programs.

God clearly wanted this to happen.

Grace Lutheran Church is a growing congregation in Champaign, Illinois, that had, in many ways, outgrown its facility. Wedged into a lot near downtown Champaign, the church sorely needed additional parking as well as a more visible, inviting — and useful — narthex.

The congregation could have made this project easier on itself by simply pulling up stakes and relocating to a less developed site outside the city center. But Grace has a long history of serving the community at its existing site. For over 25 years, the congregation has run a bustling food pantry out of its fellowship hall and its central location on the city bus line is critical to ensuring the people who need the pantry most can reach it easily. So Grace made the conscious decision to stay right where it was and expand, rather than relocating to a more remote, suburban site.

Working with an MIF church building consultant, the congregation used a Mission Investment Fund loan to buy several adjacent lots to expand its scant parking. It also dramatically increased the visibility and size of its narthex, which can now accommodate coffee hour, business meetings and other special events.

But perhaps most importantly, the expansions Grace underwent — and the MIF loan that helped make them a reality — are enabling the congregation to continue doing what it does best: serving the homeless and hungry of Champaign. "Hopefully, we help people not have to choose between food and rent or food and medicine," said the Rev. Roger Digges, Grace Lutheran's pastor. And with over 100 people using the pantry each week, Grace is a congregation on a mission right where it's needed most, thanks to its commitment to its community and an MIF loan.

We Are All God's Children Read how the Mission Investment Fund helped to build a preschool for a multicultural future.		Home on the Ranch The Southeast region boasts a new ranch for outdoor camps and retreats, thanks in part to Mission Investment Fund loans.		Shelter from the Cold Learn how one group of retirees created a winter home in the heart of Texas, thanks in part to a Mission Investment Fund loan.
Rapid Growth in Rapid City Kids need room to grow -- and one church made that happen through a loan from the Mission Investment Fund.		A Shoulder to Cry On When veterans return from war, they seek counsel from those who listen and care. See how the Mission Investment Fund helped.		An Unexpected Home An unlikely building helps a Florida congregation carry out its mission.
Hip-Hop Outreach Redeemer Lutheran's youth group meetings might surprise -- and truly delight -- you.		Environmentally Friendly A resourceful Colorado congregation goes "green" with geothermal heating and cooling.		A Promise Fulfilled With a Mission Investment Fund loan, New Promise Lutheran purchased land and built its first church in a most unlikely place: the heart of Mormon country.
Different Space. Different School. Find out how two unique groups of children help each other learn and grow -- in a space designed just for them.		Jesus Was a Carpenter The construction budget was extremely tight, but thanks to the pastor's past experience as a building contractor as well as a Mission Investment Fund loan, the congregation forged ahead.		Staying Where Most Needed With a Mission Investment Fund loan, Grace Lutheran Church was able to buy several adjacent lots to expand and stay where most needed.