When Capstone Church in Fountain Inn began running three worship services each Sunday, they knew something had to give.

The congregation was growing fast, but their space wasn’t. They needed room not just to worship but to disciple, connect, and serve their city. That’s when they called Seed Financial Services.

“We are grateful for the partnership with Seed Financial,” said Chris Barrineau, Capstone’s Executive Pastor. “Seed allowed us to start Phase 1 of our ‘Advance the Kingdom’ effort.”

That first phase—funding sidewalks, green space, and parking—has already been paid off. Now, with a new loan, Capstone is beginning construction on a multi-purpose building designed to host both worship and recreation. Capstone believes the space won’t just be a church, but a tool in the hands of believers.

Stories like this are becoming more common across the state. As churches grow, they often face big questions: How do we pay for the next step? Can we afford to build? What if we don’t know where to start?

Helping Churches Advance

Seed Financial Services, a subsidiary of the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina, was created to walk with churches through those very questions. Since its launch in 2022, SFS has come alongside dozens of churches with a unique mission: provide financial tools with ministry at the heart.

“There is no greater resource available to churches that need the assistance of funding than Seed Financial,” said Brad Atkins, Senior Pastor at Lake Bowen Baptist Church in Inman. “They truly are Kingdom-minded and Kingdom-focused.”

Lake Bowen turned to Seed Financial when they needed to expand their facilities for children and student ministries. Today, their new center is nearly complete, with a redesigned parking lot and rooms built specifically for the next generation. “Seed Financial has been an incredible partner that has celebrated every victory in raising funds that we have celebrated,” Atkins said.

For Garden Church in Chesnee, the story was similar. After years of leasing a building that limited their ministry, they dreamed of a permanent home. When a nearby church campus became available, they initially explored financing with an out-of-state lender. But then they heard about Seed Financial’s mission to reinvest in local churches. With Seed’s help, Garden Church secured a property with worship space, classrooms, and land for future growth. More importantly, they’re now able to welcome more people into Gospel-centered community.

Not Just a Lender

That kind of ripple effect is intentional. Nathan McCarthy, President and CEO of the Baptist Foundation, says Seed Financial is built to be a ministry, not just a lender. “Our primary goal is to help churches ensure they are in a healthy financial position to manage a building program that is within their ability to pay down debt as expediently as possible,” he said.

At View Church in Boiling Springs, growth brought both excitement and strain. With the surrounding community expanding rapidly, the church was squeezed into three Sunday services. In 2023, with support from Seed Financial, they broke ground on a spacious new worship center. Today, that new building includes classrooms, offices, and even a coffee bar—and their original space has been repurposed to support booming youth and children’s ministries.

None of these stories would be possible without individuals and churches who invest in Certificates of Growth—fixed-rate investments offered through Seed Financial. These provide opportunities for individual SCBaptists, churches, and ministries to actively invest in church and Kingdom growth.

Whether it’s site prep in Fountain Inn, a children’s wing in Inman, or a permanent home in Chesnee, Seed Financial isn’t just funding buildings—it’s helping build spaces where the Gospel can take root and grow.