The
Story Of Dickerson & Associates
Like all
tales of true success, the story of my father, Jerry Dickerson,
and the birth of Dickerson & Associates is
a remarkable testimony to how standing faithful in God's
wisdom and how maintaining a path pure of God will undoubtedly
lead to the soul's absolute fulfillment in life.
New Year's
Day, 1993, found my father desperately searching within
himself; desiring to understand the emptiness he felt
so strongly inside. For 10 years he had unquestionably
achieved a great measure of success in the Financial Services
Industry performing Financial and Estate Planning with
Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company and John Hancock
Financial Services, but deep down inside, my father knew
he was not fulfilling his personal calling from God. It
was at this moment that he asked God what path to pursue.
Many months
of meditation and prayer passed, but in September 1993,
the Lord revealed the path to my father. Needing to procure
a $1,400,000 loan for land purchase and construction of
a new sanctuary, The Church we attended called upon him
as well as the rest of the Church Trustees to tackle the
responsibility of identifying possible lending sources.
The Church owned property valued at $700,000. It also
held over $100,000 in savings and had no debt.
While researching
the project, the Trustees found various financing options.
Available were Mortgage Brokers who wanted up front fees
to introduce the church to their lending sources with
no guarantee of success. They also found Conventional
Lending Institutions such as Commercial Banks and Savings
and Loans Institutions that would not commit to long-term
loans of 15 to 20 years nor would they offer the 1.4 million
dollar capital needed by our Church. Investment Bank Bond
Financing was also an option which accommodated the 15
year term as well as the necessary 1.4 million dollars
capital, however, the expense was greater.
Our Church
chose the Bond Financing Method in October 1993, closed
on the land two months later in December, and started
the construction process thereafter.
Sparked
by God's insight, the need to simplify the financing process
became crystal clear to my father. This process proved
to be quite intimidating and potentially very expensive
to The Church when mistakes were made. He was enlightened
to the perfect opportunity to do more to benefit and further
God's Kingdom Work.
Following
the Lord's direction, March 1994 birthed the beginnings
of Dickerson And Associates. With God's foundations
at the helm, Dickerson And Associates has evolved
into more than a business, but rather a powerful ministry
fueled first and foremost by a crusade to educate God's
Churches. This Church Loan Consulting Firm has been manifested
into a complete Church Project Coordinator. Providing
consultation from start to finish and playing an integral
role throughout the entire process sets Dickerson
And Associates far above other Church Financing Companies.
The relationships we've forged through the years with
Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, Architects, Contractors,
and Design Build Experts has allowed Dickerson And
Associates to assist you at every turn in the Church
Growth Program. Your Church Project can become ours.
Jerry Dickerson,
my father and Owner of Dickerson & Associates,
pledges to continue bringing a refreshing approach to
providing financing expertise to churches.
By Raoul
R. Dickerson.
Next
>>
