Many recently organized CRC churches—especially those planted in the past decade—struggle to secure a permanent location. Often meeting in schools or borrowing space from other congregations, these churches lack weekday visibility and face limitations in offering midweek programming. Rising land and construction costs have made property ownership increasingly difficult, particularly when congregations are small or do not have large membership lists from which to solicit donations. As the Loan Fund considered how to better serve CRC congregations, this challenge became increasingly apparent.
In response, the Loan Fund Board approved the First Church Building Loan Program—a mission-focused initiative to support organized CRC churches that do not yet own property. This new program is designed to help churches establish a permanent home and deepen their ministry in the community.
The First Church Building Loan Program offers loans at 1.5% below the Loan Fund’s standard interest rate, with interest-only payments for the first year. This initial grace period gives congregations time to fundraise and pay down principal before regular amortization begins. While the loan might not cover the full cost of construction or purchase—especially in today’s economic climate—it serves as a critical foundation.
By demonstrating financial commitment and institutional support, a First Church Building Loan can help churches attract additional funding from other donors, granting organizations, and community partners. The program will eventually be supported by a corresponding Investment Certificate Offering, providing opportunities for investors to support this initiative while earning meaningful returns.
One congregation that demonstrates the potential impact of this initiative is Iglesia Cristiana Reformada Comunidad de Fe Poincianna in Poincianna, Fla. Planted in 2009 and organized as a Christian Reformed church in 2018, Comunidad de Fe has about 75 regular attendees and is the only Latino CRC congregation in central Florida. The congregation includes Puerto Rican immigrants and first-generation bilingual families. For them, having a dedicated house of worship is not only culturally important—it is key to their ability to grow and serve their community more fully.
Currently Comunidad de Fe meets in a school gymnasium, but parishioners dream of a permanent space for worship, discipleship, and outreach. As a first step, the church purchased 2.52 acres of vacant land in 2017 with plans to build a modest 6,000-square-foot facility. The Loan Fund initially approved a $150,000 loan for the project, but local permitting complications—due to the land straddling two municipalities—delayed progress. As the church paused to reassess, construction costs continued to rise, and the total project cost is now estimated at $500,000.
The launch of the new First Church Building Loan Program has rekindled Comunidad de Fe’s hope. They are now reviving their building plans and exploring creative ways to raise funds, partner with local organizations, and reapply for a loan to move their vision forward.
The Loan Fund is looking for other churches to participate in the First Church Building Loan Program and invites any organized CRC congregation seeking its first permanent location to apply.
A community’s economic status does not determine its value in God’s eyes, according to the Loan Fund. The Loan Fund is committed to supporting churches that are faithfully serving in the places where God has planted them, even when financial resources are limited. By making building ownership more accessible, the Loan Fund aims not just to finance buildings, but to empower congregations to deepen their presence and gospel witness in the communities they call home.
About the Author
Layla Kuhl, CRC Loan Fund