THE ARENA: WHERE FAITH IS TESTED FOR THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM.

The arena is a place of strife and striving where the courageous contend for a worthy cause. It is where strength is tested, trials are withstood, and champions are made. When COVID-19 closed our churches and afflicted our communities, an arena no less real than the gladiator’s coliseum or the boxer’s ring was established in our midst. It fell upon each church whether it would enter the fight for God’s Kingdom or do nothing.

Many entered and dared greatly against the invisible opponent that threatened the faith of believers, separating communities and stagnating worship. In response, brave churches spread hope, brought communities together and reinvigorated worship in new ways. Though they were knocked down time and again, pastors and congregants got back up with bold counterpunches. We’ve been inspired to see how many of our churches made a real difference in their communities this year.

After vying with COVID for a full 12 rounds and finally beating back the virus, we are all left with the challenge of reattracting church members and making them feel comfortable in our spaces. Churches are making many adjustments. We are seeing more projects to widen entryways, create open space for worship, and reconfigure ingresses and egresses to flow better so people don’t have to pass each other or touch the same surfaces.

When it’s time to make adjustments to your church, whether it be so your congregation can worship without worry or expanding your facility to keep growing, BCLC is in your corner. We’re here with affordable loans and straightforward rates that will help you stay in the arena and triumph. And with our Next Step Partnership program, we can provide advice from specialists on the next best steps to repurpose your culture, strategy, or facilities.

We want to encourage and enable you to get back out there and keep up the good fight. Work hard to grow your congregation and serve your community. The cause is worthy and the reward is great.

BCLC exists to assist churches in their efforts to spread the gospel by providing affordable real estate related loans.

In fulfilling this mission, our priorities are to:

Our Mission. Our Leadership.

• Focus on the long term spiritual and financial health of each church we consult.

• Provide our churches with straightforward terms, rate options, and underwriting guidelines.

• Serve as many churches as feasible, regardless of their size, longevity, or ethnicity.

board of directors

Jared Green BCLC, Chairman of the Board Tyler, Texas

Michael Mason Dallas, Texas

Lynne Meers Dallas, Texas

Ralph Ramsey Denton, Texas

Jan Cason Waco, Texas

Russell Shelton BCLC, Vice Chairman Orlando, Florida

Ryan Gibson Abilene, Texas

Philip Price Dallas, Texas

Bryan Rogers Richardson, Texas

corporate officers

Gerald James, Jr. President/CEO

Landon Yeager

Chief Financial Officer

Jamye Cappadonna

Dallas, Texas

Barbara Jane Kaplan

Dallas, Texas

Kelly McBrayer Richardson, Texas

Bob Gage Senior

Vice President

Marissa Kane

Corporate Secretary

The Credit Belongs

TO THE MAN WHO IS ACTUALLY IN THE ARENA, WHOSE FACE IS MARRED BY DUST AND SWEAT AND BLOOD; WHO STRIVES VALIANTLY;

WHO ERRS, WHO COMES SHORT AGAIN AND AGAIN, BECAUSE THERE IS NO EFFORT WITHOUT ERROR AND SHORTCOMING; BUT WHO DOES ACTUALLY STRIVE TO DO THE DEEDS;

If anything would cause the downfall of a young church plant, directives from government and health authorities to stop all gatherings would be it – but not for Rio Grande Bible Church. In fact, the pandemic only strengthened this tight-knit community’s calling to serve one another.

Pastor Castillo knew that maintaining communication would be the key to holding the church together. He used all the technology at his disposal, including social media, Zoom, and the church’s mobile app to share Sunday services and discipleship classes. Whenever he heard that someone in the community was sick or lost their job, he made sure the church reached out to offer prayers and support. But their pastoral care didn’t end there.

Rio Grande Bible Church’s initiative to live the Gospel brought them beyond their congregation, even beyond their country. They hosted prayer meetings in hospital parking lots, delivered groceries to the community and supported missionaries and pastors in Cuba. They never stopped ministering or sharing the Word of God. Growth naturally followed this strategy of good communication and fervent service. When it was time to reopen, people were eager to return, because their faith had come alive.

BCLC is privileged to help this church grow by financing the purchase of a two-acre property where they plan to remodel a home for small group meetings and build church facilities. The greatest lesson Rio Grande Bible Church has to teach is that staying in the arena bears great fruit – new ways to reach people with technology, a revitalized congregation and a reawakened sense of purpose. We applaud them for it, though they give all credit and glory to God, and assure them of our continued prayers and support for the work ahead.

“I thank God for BCLC because they helped us confirm God’s will for our church and the plans the Lord has ahead of us. They supported and guided us throughout the whole process,” said Pastor Castillo.

“Our greatest encouragement came when we saw new people coming and surrendering their lives to Christ. That’s when I knew we were doing the Lord’s will and needed to keep fighting the pandemic and serving our church and the community.”

Redlands, California

Pastor Rob Futral

Pathway Church’s experience in the arena over the last year was not one of flawless composure or having it all figured out. But they stayed in the fight, learning as they went and getting up when they were knocked down. True to their name, Pathway stepped up several times to clear a way for their community to move forward from the pandemic through selfless giving and rededication to Gospel principles.

They faced the challenge of updating technology to host quality live stream weekly worship, the struggle of adding a parking lot worship experience despite poor air quality from fires, and the crucible of 90 percent of their staff contracting COVID in a two-month span – all while trying to engage members and care for a community polarized by political tension. These challenges might have gotten the better of a church that bows out when the going gets tough. But Pathway pushed ahead.

They started with service – publishing daily devotionals, distributing food boxes, and hosting creative drivethroughs to support the isolated elderly in Redlands. Church members also stepped up, setting a new record for mission giving. Twelve-year-old member Brody Brewer took it upon himself to raise hundreds of dollars for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering by selling axes he made himself!

Several years ago, BCLC helped Pathway purchase nearby apartments, which they used to house missionaries delayed stateside due to the pandemic. The space will continue to be a blessing to the community and could possibly become a church plant residency in the future. It’s been inspiring to watch Pathway stay in the fight and stay focused on mission as they find creative ways to build the Kingdom and praise the Lord in every circumstance.

“BCLC checked on us and cared throughout the pandemic. We are investing more support in missionaries thanks to the lower interest rate they secured for us,” said Lead Pastor Futral.