We transform communities by helping the Church live into God’s economy.

Our Vision

The vision of the United Church of Christ Church Building & Loan Fund (CB&LF) is to re-invent the concept of “church” by equipping church leaders to advance the Gospel mission through innovative uses of buildings and space created through unique partnerships, inventive church operating models, revenue-generating, faith-driven enterprises and the application of impact-driven metrics. We seek to create a just world for all as we dramatically increase economic, social, environmental, and spiritual vitality, especially in neighborhoods across the United States where poverty obstructs abundant life for all people. 

CB&LF works exclusively with churches and church organizations that own or want to own real estate with the intention that through worship, service, or other community enhancing, people-edifying and God-glorifying activity, the property will be dedicated to the advancement of the mission of Jesus Christ, explicitly and implicitly described in the New Testament as the Gospel. 

Our Mission

The mission of CB&LF is to assist new and renewing United Church of Christ congregations and other Christian congregations and organizations regardless of sect or denominational affiliation, that are planning to buy a first church building or land site, or who want to construct, renovate or develop a church building, school, parsonage, or other church-owned real estate that advances the mission of the Church. 

 Our Impact

For more nearly 170 years, the United Church of Christ Church Building & Loan Fund has served new and renewing congregations of the United Church of Christ and other Christian denominations throughout the U.S. Through innovative programs that help churches plan, raise, finance, and build projects that advance the mission of the Church, CB&LF has partnered with congregations to transform their local communities.

Our Team

Rev. Dr. Patrick G. Duggan
Executive Director

As executive director, the Rev. Dr. Patrick G. Duggan is responsible for advancing the mission and growing the capacity, reach and social impact of CB&LF products and services.

Patrick has more than 30 years experience in bi-vocational ministry, serving the local church while working in the public sector, including education, government, nonprofit organizations and economic and community development. Prior to coming to CB&LF, he led community development initiatives that generated $600 million in investment in the poorest communities on Long Island.

Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and earned his master’s and his doctorate in ministry from New York Theological Seminary. His doctoral project, “Ground Zero in the Economy of God,” focused on increasing the impact, relevance and influence of the church by deploying church assets for mission.

REV. SUSAN MITCHELL

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Reverend Susan C. Mitchell currently serves as the United Church of Christ, Church Building & Loan Fund’s Associate Director Strategic Initiatives and has been a member of the UCC National Staff for over 11 years. Rev. Mitchell has served over 23 years in the parish ministry currently serving as an Associate Minister of Rush Memorial Congregational Church, located on the campus of the Atlanta University Center.

Rev. Mitchell is currently a founding organizer and board member of the Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute in Atlanta. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, (AFP), Greater Atlanta Chapter and completed the course work for the Executive Certificate for Religious Fundraising.

Rev. Mitchell also served as a member of the Strategic Visioning Team for the development of the  ITC 2.0 strategic plan for the Interdenominational Theological Center, her alma mater and was  a Founding Co-Pastor of Sankofa, UCC in Atlanta, Ga.

Rev. Mitchell received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas and her Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia. As a servant/leader, she has preached and provided instruction in a variety of ecumenical settings across the country. Rev. Mitchell has participated in educational and mission trips to Egypt, Israel, Syria, Greece, Jordan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Brazil, Thailand, Japan and the Philippines.

Rev. Mitchell is called to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.”

JILL WHITE

REGIONAL MISSION INTERPRETER

Jill White brings over 20 years of experience in stewardship and fundraising to the position of Regional Mission Interpreter. A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, Jill has served as Chair of numerous stewardship and capital campaign committees at the local church, Association and Conference levels. Recently Jill served as the Central Atlantic Conference’s Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee for General Synod 31.

Jill is a member of the Western Maryland chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has completed coursework for the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving executive certificate in religious fundraising program. She is also a member of Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals, holding Fundamental and Advanced certification.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Hood College. Jill joins the Church Building & Loan Fund following a 23-year career in the Biotech industry.

MELINA D. HIGBEE

STRATEGIC PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATOR

Melina Higbee has worked for the United Church of Christ National Setting for 11 years and began her service with Wider Church Ministries where she led the successful launch of WCM’s Haystack Society – an endowment to support mission practices in global settings.

In 2014, Ms. Higbee began working in the department of Office of Philanthropy and Stewardship (OPS) as the Coordinator for Donor Relations. In this position, she helped to coordinate various components of the UCC’s fundraising strategies, launched a centralized acknowledgment process to help the United Church of Christ be more responsive to donors, and has developed thoughtful strategies for donor engagement. Melina was promoted to Associate Director, Campaigns, Appeals and Special in the Office of OPS in 2016. In this position her responsibilities included overseeing the coordination and implementation of the annual fund. As the associate director, Melina planned the first bi-annual Stepping Into Stewardship Conference and recently coordinated the making of the new OCWM video.

REV. DAVID C. SCHOEN

MINISTER OF CHIRCH CLOSURE AND LEGACY

The Rev. David C. Schoen, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, serves part time as minister of church closure and legacy for CB&LF. As such, he researches and provides resources to churches that are facing the difficult but faithful decision to close and leave a lasting missional legacy.

Throughout his ministry in the UCC, David has worked to nurture and develop local congregations. He was responsible for the publication of the “Living Legacy: Church Legacy and Closure” resource in 2015.

“I celebrate CB&LF’s historic and present commitment to the development of missional congregations that make a difference in their communities and world," David says.

Karen Hoge

Controller

Image and bio forthcoming.

Monica Butko

Senior Loan Specialist

Image and bio forthcoming.