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 History
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.
4,000+ Congregations Served
More than 4,000 congregations throughout the country have partnered with us to plan, raise, finance, and build transformative projects.
165+
Years Serving Churches
As the oldest institution of its kind, we have been serving congregations of the United Church of Christ and other Christian denominations since our founding in 1853.
$20+
Million Dollars Generated
By helping congregations implement successful capital campaigns and by providing innovative financing packages, we have helped generate more than $20 million to finance thousands of projects.
Our Team
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia
REV. DR. KAREN GEORGIA
GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, CB&LF BOARD CHAIR
Bio to come.
Rev. Dr. Patrick G. Duggan
Email: dugganp@ucc.org
REV. DR. PATRICK G. DUGGAN
CHIEF DIVISIONAL OPERATING OFFICER
The Reverend Dr. Patrick Garnet Duggan is an authorized minister in the United Church of Christ and has served since 2012 as Chief Divisional Operating Officer of the UCC Church Building and Loan Fund (CB&LF), one of the nation’s oldest church building societies, founded in 1853. Under his leadership, CB&LF has advanced innovative, mission-focused initiatives, including the denomination’s first impact investment policy, the launch of the Adese Fellowship for emerging spiritual entrepreneurs, and the creation of Amistad Redevelopment Corporation (ARC), a certified Community Development Financial Institution supporting affordable housing and community development through church-owned real estate.
Dr. Duggan brings 28 years of pastoral experience and has taught at the seminary level. He was the executive producer of the award-winning documentary It Takes a Village and describes his work as a mission to help churches live into God’s economy by reimagining their assets for lasting social impact. Dr. Duggan asserts that he is “on a mission to enable church leaders and congregations to live into God’s economy”. This thinking guides CB&LF’s work at the leading edge of American Christianity, namely, helping faith-based organizations to reimagine, redevelop and re-deploy their real estate assets to have continuing social impact and remain 100% mission-focused in the 21st century and beyond.
A native New Yorker now residing in North Carolina, he holds a B.A. from Harvard University and both an M.Div. and D.Min. from New York Theological Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Susan Mitchell
Email: mitchells@ucc.org
REV. DR. SUSAN MITCHELL
MINISTER & TEAM LEADER, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
The Reverend Dr. Susan C. Mitchell is an authorized minister in the United Church of Christ and has served for more than 15 years as Minister and Team Leader for Strategic Initiatives at the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund (CB&LF), one of the nation’s oldest church building societies, founded in 1853. In this role, she helps shape and execute CB&LF’s Mission Implementation Strategy, advancing operational effectiveness, organizational readiness, fund growth, and strong staff and client engagement.
Dr. Mitchell brings over 16 years of pastoral leadership, including service as a founding co-pastor of a new church start. She holds an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and has completed coursework toward the Economic Development Finance Professional Certificate through Grow America. She is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Committed to leadership development as vital to the future of the global church, she affirms that “effective leadership enhances organizational resource management and positively influences the environmental, social, and economic vitality of communities.”
A native of Chicago and resident of Atlanta, Dr. Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas, a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University. Dr. Mitchell has participated in global educational and mission experiences across multiple continents.
Beth Graham
BETH GRAHAM
SENIOR LENDING OFFICER
Image and bio forthcoming.
Jill White
Email: whitej@ucc.org
JILL WHITE
LEAD MISSION INTERPRETER
Bio forthcoming
Taylor Billings
TAYLOR BILLINGS
SENIOR DATA ANALYST
Image and bio forthcoming.
Tiffany Mattox
TIFFANY MATTOX
SENIOR LOAN SPECIALIST
Image and bio forthcoming.
George “Drew” Terry
GEORGE “DREW” TERRY
INTERPRETER
Image and bio forthcoming.
Monica Lewis
MONICA LEWIS
MISSION INTERPRETER
Image and bio forthcoming.
Office Administrator
Sheletta Mobley
Office Administrator
Image and bio forthcoming.
Carolyn Geter-Akuffo
Carolyn Geter-Akuffo
Office Assistant
Image and bio forthcoming.