Scientists say that the speed of light travels at 186,000 miles per second.  For me, 2009 traveled at the same speed.  I can't believe it is already 2010.  In many ways, 2009 seemed like a blur.  Most people measure time by the calendar year.  My wife Lori and I, however, measure time by the school year.  Having a son in college, another son in high school and a daughter in elementary school keeps us focused on how many weeks are left in the grading period, or for my son in college, the semester.  Before we know it, summer comes around followed too quickly, according to my children, by the next school year.  And it starts all over again.

Lori and I teach a Senior High Sunday School class at our church.  The Sunday school class, much like the school year, travels swiftly.  It seems just as we are getting comfortable with the new crop of seniors, it's time for them to graduate and move on.  Such is life.

2009 brought change to our family in the form of a new career path for me.  I left my 25 year career in banking to join the Foundation as the director of the new church loan and investment ministry, NC Baptist Financial Services.  It doesn't seem possible that a year has passed since I came on board.   What was only a concept almost 10 years ago became a reality in 2009.  I am blessed to have the opportunity to work alongside the Foundation staff to start this new ministry.  The early months of 2009 were spent preparing the loan and investment program.  Writing loan policy, creating the appropriate documentation, developing applications, meetings with attorneys, applying for regulatory approval, assembling a loan committee, learning how to use loan and investment software and the list goes on and on.  The months of preparation all culminated with the first loan application taken in April, 2009.  NC Baptist Financial Services was ready for lift off!

It is exciting to see how the Lord is already using this ministry to help churches grow.  I am indeed thankful for the churches and members of NC Baptist churches who have placed investments with us that allow us to help churches finance their building and expansion needs.  I spent a lot of time on the road in 2009 meeting with churches to discuss their financing needs and am happy to report that we approved over $7 Million in loans to churches across North Carolina in 2009.

I am looking forward to 2010.  It won't surprise me if the year passes as quickly as 2009.  That's ok.  I now have a new way to measure the passage of time each year.  We look forward to the continued success of the ministry and more importantly what the Lord has in store for us throughout the year and beyond.

Happy New Year!

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