Zero Percent
“Christ Community is a new mission start in North Charleston,” shared Philippe Cote the President of South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM). “Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to worship in their sanctuary for a couple of years due to termite damage.”
“I preached my first Sunday at Christ,” share Pastor Josh Knutson. “My first Sunday in my first call.” After worship, a couple members came to Pastor Josh to inform him they had found some holes in the wall. After an inspection the new congregation learned termites had been eating away at the structure for years. They had eaten so much that the building was no longer structurally sound. “In two years, I have only worshipped in the sanctuary one time,” Pastor Josh shared, “that first Sunday.”
After learning the structure could be repaired the congregation embarked on a capital campaign to pay for the repairs. Combined with this, the SC LMM gave them a 0% interest loan. “They took a major load off of us as a new congregation,” Pastor Josh said with gratitude. “To know that we were going to be able to get the money and it wouldn’t cost us more than we needed for the actual repairs was a clear sign of God’s abundance. In a congregation where people would say they were giving as much as they could, giving has doubled between the annual fund and the capital campaign. The motivation to see this project through comes from seeing the generosity of the Lutheran Men. They not only gave us the loan, but they are one of our supporters as a mission start. Knowing that LMM is in our corner enables us to do what we are doing outside the sanctuary to support the community.”
While the loan is truly appreciated by Christ Community, for Philippe the work of LMM goes beyond financial generosity. “It is about being in bold relationships,” he shared. Recently, a group from SC LMM visited Christ Community to partner with them in one of their local outreach ministries. “There are veterans who live in the woods near us,” shared Pastor Josh. “The congregation provides feeding ministries for them as well as supporting three transitional houses. Now we are building a community garden, so these homeless veterans have access to healthy produce.”
SC LMM brought desserts, fried chicken, and drinks to share during one of their Sunday meals for the veterans. “The shelter is an old motel and we set up tables in the middle of the U shape,” Philippe shared. “I really didn’t expect the veterans to stick around and talk to us, but many of them did.”
The relationships built through the work and generosity of SC LMM continue to reach farther into our communities. “The generosity of SC LMM makes it possible for us to be less focused on money and more focused on doing the work of honoring and loving our neighbors,” shared Pastor Josh. “Christ Community is grateful for SC LMM.”