You may have already read about the upgrade to CEF Direct, our electronic accounts system, in our Annual Report released in May. The project began over a year ago and our goal was to simplify our processes while enabling ministries and members to do more with us, online, more easily. Of course, those who want to interact with CEF in person, you still can. We always enjoy having you visit us at our office in Ann Arbor – and when you do, we can assure you’ll continue to enjoy the same high level of customer care you’ve always received.

CEF partnered with DiscipleData,Inc. (DDI) to enhance and expand CEF Direct’s capabilities. For nearly 50 years, DDI has been serving extension funds throughout the country. They understand the unique challenges of CEF’s ministry, having grown out of an extension fund themselves. Over the past 12 months, CEF staff members have worked diligently to transfer data to the new system. We’ve done this while continuing to ensure that we keep all financial records and personal information thoroughly accurate and secure. We’re now pleased to report that we’ve completed the data transfer process – with flying colors!

This past June, four CEF staff members attended DDI’s Annual User Group Meeting in Indianapolis. There they compared notes with other users of the software platform, assessed performance metrics, and learned about future software upgrades. So impressed was DDI with CEF during the software conversion process, they asked Steve Perrault, CEF’s Assistant Vice President and Systems Manager, to participate in the meeting’s panel discussion on system implementation for new users of the software.

For those who know Steve, it was no surprise he was asked to join this panel. Steve is CEF’s “go to” for practically anything software related. His dedication to CEF’s ministry has only been amplified during the past year, as he has prepared countless reports on the CEF Direct upgrade and has strived tirelessly to be sure that CEF’s customers experience a smooth software transition. Without Steve’s leadership and hard work, the upgrade could not have happened as successfully as it did. Well done, Steve!

CEF’s determination to upgrade CEF Direct is consistent with our mission: We serve as trusted and innovative stewards of financial resources by providing investment and lending products to help Lutheran ministries and church members Build God’s Kingdom.