ABOUT CID-CEF

Our Mission

The Mission of the LCMS Central Illinois District Church Extension Fund (CID-CEF) is to aid The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations, schools, and agencies of the LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) in building and expanding their facilities and ministries for the growth of God’s Kingdom.

Quote from the CID History written for its 75th anniversary in 1982:

as the members lend their dollars to this fund, they are placing them in God’s bank, all the while drawing interest and providing a useful fund for the King of King’s business.” 

His profit is the only profit we seek.

WHY CID-CEF?

It's all about enabling the LCMS to fulfill the Great Commission in Central Illinois!  The CID-CEF partners you as an investor with the LCMS churches, schools, and agencies in the Central Illinois District who are in need of resources to expand and grow their ministries.

Investors

What this means for investors is that your investments with us stay in the LCMS Central Illinois District to support the growth of your churches, schools, and agencies. They are not directed elsewhere to fund outside initiatives, nor are they funding initiatives that conflict with the beliefs you value. They are put to use to meet the immediate need of our local LCMS institutions. And the CID-CEF cannot do this without your investments! You are the one actually supporting our institutions – the CID-CEF serves only to partner your investment dollars with those LCMS institutions in need of funding.

In addition to receiving the blessing of supporting the growth of God's Kingdom, investors will also earn interest rates on your investments that are competitive with local institutions.  Check out our investment rates and options.

Loans

The CID-CEF exists specifically to serve LCMS Central Illinois District churches, schools, and agencies. We provide funding for the acquisition of land, new construction, expansions, remodels, equipment, or repairs and enhancements to existing worship and educational facilities. Our interest rates are often below those of commercial lending institutions, and you will save not only on your interest expense but on closing costs, fees, and potential penalties versus a loan obtained from a commercial lending institution. We share your values, we understand the unique circumstances of religious organizations, and we can provide more flexibility with your loan. Our goal is not our own profitability; your financial resources should be supporting your ministry – not ours.     


HISTORY

The CID-CEF began as part of the newly formed LCMS Central Illinois District in 1907 with $576.99 in its pocket. Until 1948, it was supported only out of District funds and through personal gifts. It wasn't until 1948 that investments by congregations and individual members were introduced to increase the pool of funds available for District growth. This new source increased the fund balance to over a half million dollars by 1961, $5.8 million at the 75th anniversary of the CID in 1982, and to its present $35 million balance today. To better protect the funds entrusted to its care, the CID-CEF incorporated separately from the CID in 1995. To quote from the LCMS Central Illinois District History written for its 75th anniversary in 1982, "as the members lend their dollars to this fund, they are placing them in God's bank, all the while drawing interest and providing a useful fund for the King of King's business." His profit is the only profit we seek.


STAFF

Mrs. Christine Anderson Portrait

Mrs. Christine Anderson

Executive Director
canderson@cidlcms.org

Mrs. Christine Anderson has filled the position of Executive Director of the Fund since June 2018.  Her work experience prior to that time includes serving as Director of Finance with H. D. Smith LLC, Controller for Nestlé Coffee-mate, and Vice President of Accounting with both Service Advantage and Sangamon Inc.  She has also held positions with Mallinckrodt and with KPMG. Christine is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville with concentrations in accounting, finance, and MIS. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, Illinois.

 

Mrs. Susan Short Portrait

Mrs. Susan Short

Assistant to the Executive Director
cef@cidlcms.org

Mrs. Susan Short started with the Church Extension Fund in July 2004.  Prior to that time, Susan worked in the Tax and Internal Audit Departments of two large insurance agencies in Springfield, Illinois.  She holds a Bachelor of Science with a major in accounting from University of Illinois Springfield and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor.  Susan is a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sherman, Illinois.


BOARD MEMBERS

Darin Gehrke

President

  • Senior Vice President and Market Lead, SomerCor, Central and Southern Illinois.
  • Member of Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville.

David Ward

Vice President

  • Retired, with 40 years banking experience.
  • Member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Varna.

Carol Radtke

Secretary/Treasurer

  • Retired, with 30 years banking experience.
  • Member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield.

Rev. Charles Olander

Trustee – Minister of Religion

  • Retired LCMS Pastor. Planned Gift Counselor and Prison Chaplain for the Central Illinois District.
  • Previous experience in the insurance industry.

Rev. Chad Lueck

Trustee – Minister of Religion

  • Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Illinois.
  • District positions with the Central Illinois District, Texas District, and Kansas District.

K. Rick Keller

Trustee

  • Attorney of Counsel with Orr Law, LLC, in Effingham, Illinois.
  • Member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Effingham.

Kim Kleinschmidt

Trustee

  • Retired, with 43 years of banking experience.
  • Member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lincoln.

 

OUR HOURS

The CID-CEF Office is open Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm.
Please call (217) 793-1802 with questions.

The LCMS Central Illinois District Church Extension Fund (CID-CEF) is a non-profit religious organization, therefore CID-CEF investments are not SIPC- or FDIC-insured. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy CID-CEF investments. The offer is made solely by CID-CEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. CID-CEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized.