What do an active interior designer from Fredericksburg and a retired pastor from Tomball have in common? Beyond being faithful United Methodists, both of these individuals are committed to investing in the Texas Methodist Foundation’s Methodist Loan Fund through the Individual Fund.

Harvey, a former pastor who currently attends Rose Hill United Methodist Church in Tomball, first learned about how the Methodist Loan Fund supports United Methodist churches and institutions with competitive loan rates during the 23 years he spent working as Campus Minister for the Wesley Foundation at Tyler Junior College. When the opportunity to invest in the future of the Church was extended to individuals, he and his wife Willa Mae turned to the Individual Fund for their personal investments.

“We were attracted to the Individual Fund because of the good interest rates,” Harvey said. “It’s an excellent place to invest your money--not only to further your own finances but to help the Church.”

More recently, Maryneil discovered the Foundation’s individual investment opportunities while working on the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church Foundation board as secretary and treasurer. When she scrutinized her church foundation’s investment portfolio, Maryneil realized the Methodist Loan Fund was providing consistently higher returns when compared to other investment vehicles.

“The only place we were making money was with the Texas Methodist Foundation,” Maryneil said. “We use the interest on the church’s endowment to fund seminary scholarships and for other church related projects like buying furniture for the children’s area. Earning as much as possible is important to us so we can continue this work.”

She and her husband Tom had been looking for more productive alternatives to their local bank savings account and CD investments. It wasn’t long before they decided to move some of their own money into the Individual Fund.

“I realized it’s just a safer place for my retirement money to be. That’s money that I’m going to need one day,” Maryneil emphasized.

Willa Mae and Harvey, Individual Investors

Working with Karyl Seibert, Special Funds Administrator, Maryneil learned that a strong board of directors comprised of United Methodist clergy and lay leaders, including a qualified loan committee, backs Foundation investments. In fact, no Foundation-generated loan has ever suffered a loss of principal, which makes investing in the Individual Fund a smart choice.

The Foundation also invests in accordance with the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, which was important to Maryneil. “I like the fact that my money is being used for God’s work,” she added.

Harvey believes he made a sensible decision when he invested in the Individual Fund as well. “I trust the Foundation or I would not put my money in the fund. I feel good about it because it’s a United Methodist institution,” he said.

But beyond competitive proceeds, financial integrity and social responsibility, Harvey and Maryneil both know investing with the Foundation offers an occasion to be good stewards and widen their support of United Methodist endeavors throughout the state.

“We’re helping other Christians like God has asked us to do,” Maryneil said. “The Individual Fund gives us an opportunity to help spread God’s word while earning more than you could get elsewhere. We’re both winning on this deal.”

Being a lifelong United Methodist, Harvey conveyed similar feelings. “The individual fund provides good income for us,” he said. “But I’d recommend it as an extension of our love of the Church and the ministry of the Church as well.”

These investors, like so many others, appreciate the fact that their funds are growing to support their families while helping to grow Christian ministry. Harvey summed up his feelings by saying, “I’m grateful the Foundation provides this type of assistance for my wife and me, and for the Church.”

For more information on investing in the Individual Fund, contact Karyl Seibert at 1-800-933-5502 or kseibert@tmf-fdn.org. Or, fill out our Online Response Card.