Church Executive CHURCH EXECUTIVE NOV-DEC 2017 DIGITAL | Seite 7

MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED
B O B C H U R C H / A D M I N I S T R AT I V E PA S T O R / S A G E B R U S H C H U R C H / A L B U Q U E R Q U E , N M
“The best, simplest answer is that [the bank] spoke our language,”
Church recalls. “We’re a ministry, but we have a business aspect to us. I
think they understand that.”
Case in point: Gary Livacari, regional relationship manager for Bank
of the West Religious Institution Banking in the Southwest. Livacari
emphasizes the importance of understanding the “business” the bank’s
church customers are in. He and his team drill down into the operations
of its church clients to ensure they can act quickly when necessary and, at
any time, come alongside church clients to evaluate their options.
That way, Livacari says, when clients like Sagebrush come to him with
ideas for expansion that might necessitate a loan, the bank is able to render
a decision quickly.
Familiarity breeds fluidity
With this fast, but informed dynamic as the foundation, Church
and Livacari have worked in tandem for several years to ensure
Sagebrush’s expansion is quick, fluid and smartly funded. They
speak often and meet at least once a year, sometimes more.
Livacari has been to Sagebrush’s campuses, even observing
construction projects.
“He’s had a chance to really ‘get’ us,” Church says. “From a
lending perspective, it means he knows our heartbeat — what
we’re trying to do and where we feel God is leading us.”
Another reason the relationship works is the bank’s ability
to tailor financing options to each stage of Sagebrush’s
growth. For starters, that meant refinancing the debt the
church carried from its first facility. True to form, that
process moved fast: In November 2014, Livacari and
Church’s team met to discuss options. By February 2015,
refinancing was complete.
But, that was only the beginning.
Within a year, church leaders constructed two more large buildings —
an unusually rapid expansion prompted by the identification of a highly
desirable Rio Rancho, NM, property: a medical complex with several active
tenants. This provided rental income, which helped Sagebrush leaders
remodel about 50 percent of the space for church use.
Additionally, most tenants are closed on Sundays — Sagebrush’s busiest
day — and the church has great relationships with them. “So, it’s been very
mutually beneficial,” Church says.
While finding the ideal facility (at the right place, the right time, and for
the right price) is a critical and challenging part of the equation, it’s only
half. Having a predictable, solid lending partner makes the vision a reality.
To this end, additional credit for the loan was provided quickly, even
so soon after refinancing Sagebrush’s existing debt. “We were familiar
with the church’s financial situation and its financial strength,” Livacari
explains. “So, we were in a good position to make a fast, informed decision
about supporting the Rio Rancho acquisition.”
The value of that rapid response certainly isn’t lost on Church.
“In this world of church expansion, as far as finding permanent facilities
goes, it takes a lot of looking to find something that fits,” he shares. “With
all our facilities, we always say there’s a moment when we know this is a
‘God thing.’ So, when you find that rare, ideal facility, you want to be able
to move quickly if need be.”
More facilities, more ministry
Moving quickly is clearly a strong suit for the church and the bank,
especially when they work together.
By 2012, the church already had three locations and had doubled the
worship space in its original facility. By early 2015, when Bank of the West
refinanced Sagebrush’s existing debt, it was clear that there would be no
slowing down.
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