Grace Lutheran Church is a growing congregation in Champaign, Illinois, that had, in many ways, outgrown its facility. Wedged into a lot near downtown Champaign, the church sorely needed additional parking as well as a more visible, inviting – and useful – narthex.

The congregation could have made this project easier on itself by simply pulling up stakes and relocating to a less developed site outside the city center. But Grace has a long history of serving the community at its existing site. For over 25 years, the congregation has run a bustling food pantry out of its fellowship hall and its central location on the city bus line is critical to ensuring the people who need the pantry most can reach it easily. So Grace made the conscious decision to stay right where it was and expand, rather than relocating to a more remote, suburban site.

Working with an MIF church building consultant, the congregation used a Mission Investment Fund loan to buy several adjacent lots to expand its scant parking. It also dramatically increased the visibility and size of its narthex, which can now accommodate coffee hour, business meetings and other special events.

But perhaps most importantly, the expansions Grace underwent – and the MIF loan that helped make them a reality – are enabling the congregation to continue doing what it does best: serving the homeless and hungry of Champaign. “Hopefully, we help people not have to choose between food and rent or food and medicine,” said the Rev. Roger Digges, Grace Lutheran’s pastor. And with over 100 people using the pantry each week, Grace is a congregation on a mission right where it’s needed most, thanks to its commitment to its community and an MIF loan.