For more than a century, a quiet but powerful ministry has been at work in our Conference – helping churches grow, expand, and live out their callings with courage and faith. Seedling Financial Ministry, formerly known as the Loan Fund, has officially concluded its ministry, but its impact lives on in worship spaces, classrooms, pavilions, kitchens, and Family Life Centers across our region.
Seedling began in 1919 as The Church Extension Society, formed by the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical Church. Its original mission was simple but transformative: to provide loans to churches in need of repairs or property. Over time, the need for financial support grew. In 1969, the Lending Fund opened the opportunity for churches and individuals affiliated with the United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania to invest in the ministry. These were not just financial investments – they were commitments to shared mission and collective faith.
Decade after decade, the ministry grew. And in 2019, it was rebranded as Seedling Financial Ministry. The name reflected its purpose – faithfully planting seeds that would grow into something lasting. Investors received modest returns, but more importantly, they helped congregations move forward. Seedling became a bridge between those with financial resources and churches with a vision for ministry.
The stories are many. Geyer’s UMC undertook renovations to make their entire building fully accessible, creating a more welcoming space for all who enter. Linglestown Life UMC expanded its facility to better serve growing ministries, particularly those focused on families and children. Marion UMC built a significant addition featuring a multi-purpose room, commercial kitchen, ADA-accessible restrooms, and a larger gathering area – all designed to support outreach to young families and the wider community. Wehnwood UMC constructed a new addition and renovated existing spaces to include a dedicated office and Pastor’s study for private counseling, along with a multi-purpose room that welcomes community groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, a community orchestra, and more.
Each project funded by Seedling tells a story of trust – churches believing in their future, and investors believing in the power of ministry. The model was cyclical and sustainable: individuals and congregations invested; churches borrowed and built; loans were repaid; ministry continued to flourish.
But circumstances changed. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted financial patterns and attendance. Widespread church disaffiliations introduced uncertainty. And evolving state regulations required Seedling to operate more like a bank – something it was never designed to be. After careful prayer and discernment, the Conference voted in 2022 to wind down Seedling’s operations. By 2024, all investment accounts were closed, and remaining loans are being repaid under new arrangements.
Though no direct replacement exists, the spirit of Seedling continues in the lives touched and the ministries strengthened. There is deep gratitude for all who guided and supported this ministry: investors, borrowers, pastors, board members, and faithful staff. Special thanks go to longtime administrator Bob Forse, and to Christine Sims – who began her journey with Seedling as an Investment Specialist and finished as Executive Director, shepherding the ministry with care and vision through its final season. We also remember and give thanks for former Executive Director Lauren Hokamp, whose steady leadership helped guide years of faithful service.
Seedling Financial Ministry was never just about money – it was about faithful stewardship and shared purpose. It was about what can happen when God’s people come together to build something that lasts. And while this chapter has ended, the ministries it helped bring to life are still growing.
So we give thanks – for every church that took a bold step forward, and every investor who said “yes” to something bigger than themselves. We bless the sanctuaries and gathering places that become more welcoming, the dreams that became blueprints, the projects that turned into places of love and service. And we pray – not in some distant or abstract way, but in the real hope that what’s been planted will keep bearing fruit.
Seedling may no longer be active, but the work of growing, building, and believing continues. Let’s carry it forward – with hope, with courage, and with deep gratitude.