CID LCMS

1850 N. Grand Avenue West
Springfield, IL 62702-1626
Phone: (217) 793-1802
Fax: (217) 793-9454
Email: cef@cidlcms.org

MISSION:  The Mission of the Central Illinois District (CID) Church Extension Fund, Inc. (CEF) is to make funds and services available to congregations for building efforts.

CEF accomplishes its purpose primarily by making loans to congregations for acquiring land, building/enhancing worship and educational facilities, and/or purchasing parsonages for its workers.  These loans are made at rates often below those of commercial lending institutions.  The savings in interest, fees and prepayment penalties helps congregations pay off their loan(s) more quickly than would be possible with a typical lending institution.  In fact, due to recent long term interest rate declines, at years 2005 and 2006 CEF paid a mortgage interest rebate of $150,000.00 to borrowing congregations.  CEF raises funds by selling investment certificates to CID congregations and its members.  These investments earn varying rates of return depending on their length of maturity. You can find our current interest rates on the investment form found on this website.

Unlike other financial institutions, CEF uses its gifts for mission and outreach.  In 2006 and 2007, CID CEF donated over $45,000 through LCMS World Relief / Human Care for the purchase of the “Old Latin School” building in Wittenberg, Germany.  Once renovated, this building will become a welcome center and outreach into the Wittenberg area.  Anyone interested in visiting Wittenberg and wanting additional information concerning the Welcome Center may contact:

Rev. Wilhelm Torgerson, Director
Lutherstrasse 25
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg

“Torgy” may also be reached at email, Concordia@lutherwb.de; or by phone at 01520-18 77 219.

CEF also provides up to $20,000 annually in grants for CID congregations and organizations that have projects/programs focused on mission and outreach.  CEF also fulfills its mission by consulting with congregations and providing demographic studies, capital campaign advice, and financial planning strategies that help each church accomplish God’s will in its unique setting.

SAVINGS STAMPS/GROWTH BONDS:  The Savings Stamp Program (designed for children 16 and under only) is a wonderful opportunity for us to teach our children about Stewardship and Savings.  While the children are savings for their future, their investments are working to advance the ministry in the Central Illinois District.  Savings Stamps are purchased at $0.25 each and are saved in a booklet until 75 stamps have been accumulated, for a total of $18.75.  The completed book is then turned in to CEF and a Growth Bond is issued to the child.  The Growth Bond will mature after six years for $25.00 and at that time can be redeemed or converted to a Flexible Savings Account (equivalent to a passbook savings account) or into some other investment with CEF.  Children love to purchase stamps and watch their savings grow!  The Stamp Program is run through a representative in the local congregation.  If your congregations does not have a representative, please give Dave or Susan a call at (217) 793-1802 and we will be happy to arrange to have a representative recruited for your congregation.