Salisbury, North Carolina, July 30th, 2026, FinanceWire
Ascend Stewardship Consulting a national leader in church capital campaign consulting and financing, today announced it has surpassed $1 billion in church financing facilitated and more than $800 million in capital campaign funds raised, marking a major milestone in the firm’s 30-year history of helping churches fund ministry growth across the United States.
The achievement comes as churches nationwide face unprecedented financial pressure from rising construction costs. Since 2022, church building expenses have increased by an estimated 15% to 25% across many U.S. markets, prompting more congregations to seek professional guidance for fundraising and financing large-scale ministry projects.
Unlike traditional fundraising firms or standalone lenders, Ascend offers an integrated approach that combines professionally managed capital campaigns with customized church financing solutions. The firm facilitates loans ranging from $250,000 to $25 million, helping churches finance new construction, renovations, property acquisitions, and debt refinancing while maximizing campaign results.
“Churches are not scaling back their ministry vision—they’re becoming more strategic about how they fund it,” said Russ Priddy, Founder of Ascend Stewardship & Consulting. “When a professionally guided capital campaign is paired with the right financing strategy, churches consistently achieve stronger financial outcomes and move forward with greater confidence.”
According to Ascend, professionally managed capital campaigns typically generate 1.5 to 2.5 times a church’s annual income in three-year giving commitments, significantly outperforming many self-directed fundraising efforts.
Recent client successes highlight the effectiveness of the firm’s integrated model. Friendswood Methodist Church in Friendswood, Texas, exceeded its campaign goal by raising $2.4 million against a $1.9 million target in just six weeks, enabling the church to retire its building mortgage and denominational debt. Meanwhile, Remedy Church in Akron, Ohio, secured $412,000 during a single-day offering along with $1 million in three-year commitments, supporting the purchase of a new facility through a $1.6 million church loans.
As churches continue to navigate inflation, growing ministry needs, and long-term financial planning, Ascend reports increasing demand for comprehensive funding strategies that align stewardship with sustainable growth.
Churches considering construction projects, facility expansion, debt refinancing, or future capital campaigns can request a complimentary project evaluation through Ascend Stewardship & Consulting.
About Ascend Stewardship & Consulting
Ascend Stewardship & Consulting is a nationwide church capital campaign consulting and financing firm headquartered in Salisbury, North Carolina. Founded by Russ Priddy—a former Marine, pastor, and former Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention—the firm has helped churches raise more than $800 million through capital campaigns while facilitating over $1 billion in church financing during the past three decades. Ascend serves churches of all sizes and denominations with integrated fundraising consulting and financing solutions ranging from $250,000 to $25 million.