About Church Development

Who we are informs what we do. Our culture makes all the difference. Our stewardship-based church capital campaign consultants and support staff are here for you.

Who We Are

We Are Experienced Church Capital Campaign Consultants

We strategically plan, manage, and follow up with church capital campaigns. Our specialty is growing a culture of stewardship through prayerful discernment and community-engagement. We utilize research-based best practices in fundraising to strengthen communities of faith.

Experienced

With over 30 years of organizational development experience, we bring wisdom from previous success and failures to help you achieve goals.

Trust Worthy

The financial and time resources of your church are sacred blessings. We take that seriously and practice good stewardship of your community.

Professional

Anyone can mass mail a pledge card. Our best practices grow generosity, increasing annual and capital giving without pressure-based asks.

Our Mission & Story

The Church Development team is made up of a group of talented professionals. We have dedicated our lives to helping churches grow in generosity. Our staff is committed to helping churches acquire the resources they need to fulfill the Great Commission. Since 1992 we have been studying the latest research on stewardship and building our own data bank of experience. Now we use this data to help churches with successful capital campaigns, annual stewardship campaigns, and planned giving ministries. We help you build a culture of generosity in your church, rather than just execute fundraising programs. For us, it’s all about stewardship – learning how we can better let God’s blessings flow through us to bless and build God’s kingdom here on earth.
Denis Greene, founded Church Development out of his desire to see churches expand to meet the unique visions God has planted in the hearts of the faithful. Each church has a unique approach, but Denis’ experience was that fundraising firms working with churches on capital campaigns were just using a secular fundraising model. They threw in a few bible verses and an allusion to stewardship to try to spiritualize the process. Therefore, Denis set out to build a capital campaign service that was truly built on prayer, community building, shared decision making, stewardship education. Church Development was created. Today we are a vibrant team of experts working across the country to support parishes through spiritually supportive church capital campaigns.

From the beginning the scope and manner of the campaign was suited to our particular needs and history. We felt that our situation was special in the eyes of Church Development. This was evident in the follow-up phase of the campaign. This commitment gives us a sense of security and keeps us to the task. Overall, we feel that Church Development has been very competent in addressing our campaign needs and we are grateful for this service.  In some ways we feel that we have found a new friend.

Rev. Thomas Albers, CPPS

Pastor, St. James Catholic Church

We have been delighted with the leadership, guidance, and keen insights Church Development has provided us throughout our very successful capital campaign. The integrity, intelligence, and creative resourcefulness of the Church Development consultants are simply splendid, way beyond what we’ve experienced with the other consulting service we’ve used in our four previous capital campaigns over the past 24 years. Their understanding of our church culture and wise guidance of the whole campaign process are invaluable gifts which we plan to employ (and enjoy!) in future endeavors.

Robert Lee Hill

Pastor, Community Christian Church

Join Us

Our Clients Are Like Family

Through regular capital campaign committee contact, organizing and training volunteers, attending worship services, interviewing parishioners for feasibility study feedback, speaking at campaign events, and many more activities, we truly become a part of your faith community. Hired as consultants, grown into friends. Consultant-friends.

There were a number of people in our congregation who felt initially that our goal was extremely ambition for a church of our size and economic abilities. The thing that struck me in our initial meeting with Denis Green and Darryl Prater from Church Development was their emphasis on a capital campaign as primarily an opportunity for spiritual growth as a church.  The priorities that they set, and the focus they have as an organization, really helped us set the agenda for our congregation, that this is an opportunity for people to grow spiritually, and that in many senses, raising the money is a by-product of spiritual growth.  That impressed me right up front, and I felt like these are the right people to do this campaign for us.”

Rev. Joel R. Fredrikson

Pastor, First Baptist Church of Ottawa

Who We Are

Our Team of Church Capital Campaign Consultants

When you hire us you get the whole team. Our staff includes professionals with a variety of expertise areas to support each aspect of your church capital campaign project. With support in strategic planning, major donor research, copywriting, grant writing, graphic design, administration, printing, mailing, gift solicitation, and digital media, you have what you need to achieve your goals.

Who We Are

Denis Greene

Denis Greene

Founder and President

Denis began working in the nonprofit development field in 1981. He founded Church Development in 1992 after a near-death experience motivated him to integrate his faith, education and skills in work that served the church and the virtue of stewardship. His undergraduate and graduate studies are in organizational development.  He is the author of two books, The Stewardship System and Stewardship-Based Capital Campaigns.

Denis Greene is a proud member of the elite Catholic Speakers Organization, CatholicSpeakers.com.

 

Gwen Hoefer

Gwen Hoefer

Senior Consultant

Gwen is the organizer of all things Church Development. Gwen has also worked on the parish side as Director of Stewardship & Development at her church, and brings that boots-on-the-ground wisdom to her campaigns. She has many years experience working with leadership, parishioners, and staff, and volunteering in her community and at her children’s school. She is ready to share her expertise and personal experiences with other churches around the country. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children, reading, and trying out new restaurants.

Debbie McShane

Debbie McShane

Graphic Designer

Debbie McShane has worked in the design field for 25 years, creating for a variety of profit and nonprofit clients. As a seasoned graphic designer she is especially passionate about working on projects with people who are committed to making the world a better place. Outside the office Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 kids, who keep her on her toes!  

Jody Thatch

Jody Thatch

Administrative Support

Jody is Administrative Assistant for Church Development. She has many years of experience as owner/operator of a neighborhood business center specializing in customer service, project management and problem solving. She keeps track of myriad details to help give our clients the best possible service.

Darryl Prater, MCM

Darryl Prater, MCM

Senior Consultant

Darryl Prater has served in church ministry for over 30 years, gaining experience as a pastor, church musician and a church fundraising professional. As a seasoned senior consultant he is passionate about leading churches to achieve their spiritually-focused stewardship goals. Darryl is actively involved in his church as a volunteer choir member and orchestra director. Outside the office Darryl enjoys, walking, fishing and yard work.

Rebecca Summers

Rebecca Summers

Foundation & Grant Writing Specialist

Over two decades, Rebecca Summers created a record in strategic advancement that leads to ‘mission accomplished!’ A graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City and with graduate level work at Loyola University – New Orleans Institute of Religious Communicators, she honed skills to communicate with leadership, constituent groups, and media. Reflecting on her work, she said, “I have learned that what makes us human is the new premium. Before writing that annual plan, checking off a deadline or measuring KPIs, stop and put a face to your mission. Find the compass that leads others to understand why your organization exists, and why you matter.”

Dan Dolquist, PhD, MA, MDiv

Dan Dolquist, PhD, MA, MDiv

Senior Consultant

Dan began his relationship with Church Development as a client. For the next two decades, each time the congregation he was pastoring conducted a capital campaign, he turned to Church Development. Dan is a veteran of five capital campaigns and 25 stewardship campaigns. He is ready to share his expertise and personal experience with the churches he serves. Dan is the author of Being Here: The Practice of Presence.

Jacque Kelly

Jacque Kelly

Director of Finance

Jacque has over 15 years of experience in small business and non–profit financial management consulting. As a volunteer, she helps both churches and parochial schools achieve their financial goals. In her free time, Jacque hangs out with the Benedictine Sisters in Atchison, KS as an oblate in training and with the Jesuits at the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City.

Peter Kardash

Peter Kardash

Senior Consultant

Peter is a graduate of Rider University earning a BA in Psychology. With more than 30 years of executive management experience in customer service, served at a Director level for several prestigious customer oriented companies such as J. Crew Outfitters, The Walt Disney Company, and Amazon.com. Peter was called to this ministry as a result of a capital campaign experienced with his own church and his desire to help thousands of others grow their stewardship. In off time, Peter enjoys wine consulting, cooking, travel and time with family.

JD Bloom

JD Bloom

Senior Consultant

J.D. is an attorney and while in private practice specialized in estate planning and corporate law. Before coming to Church Development, he completed a 20-year career in wealth management where, among other things, he supported his high-net-worth clients in fulfilling their charitable giving plans through a variety of planned giving techniques. He is also ordained. J.D. enjoys hiking, skiing, and being in the mountains. He is an avid traveler and has been to all seven continents, all 50 states, and is working to complete his goal of visiting all 63 national parks.

Meredith Miravalle, MA

Meredith Miravalle, MA

Director of Outreach

Meredith Miravalle brings 15 years of ministry, project management, marketing and operations experience to her position as Director of Outreach. She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, Franciscan University of Steubenville, and the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS Spiritual Mentorship Program. You’ll find her very excited to share free resources or set you up for a web training. At home, Meredith is philosophizing with her husband and alligator wrestling her toddlers. 

Marthame Sanders, MDiv

Marthame Sanders, MDiv

Senior Consultant

Marthame Sanders has worked in the church world for 20 years, gaining experience in stewardship development, pastoral leadership, and communication. As a seasoned campaign consultant, he is passionate about advancing individual and congregational generosity. In addition to campaign consultation, he is also involved in the Atlanta community of churches and non-profits. Outside the office, Marthame enjoys his family, music, and performing improv comedy.

PARTNERSHIPS

 

4 Pillars Collaborative

4 Pillars Collaborative – is a synchronized set of church experts who collaborate in the facility planning process. They provide instant counsel to church leaders who are in pursuit of their vision of facility growth, at no cost 4 pillars collaborative

Contact Church Development

Have a question? Need stewardship support? We want to support your mission.

(816) 333-8111

15 E 55th Terr, Kansas City, MO 64113

Start a Conversation

Church Development is an International Catholic Stewardship Council Partner

International Catholic Stewardship Council Partners

 

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Church Development is an International Catholic Stewardship Council Partner

International Catholic Stewardship Council Partners

 

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