On Sunday, September 7th 2025, Triumphant Love (Austin) celebrated the retirement of their debt with a special morning celebration.
The $4.1 million “Love Builds to Serve” project began in 2005 and encompassed the expansion & renovation of the congregation’s sanctuary as well as the addition of the fellowship hall, office space, and education wing.
TLLC’s celebration was made all the more exuberant because the congregation’s generosity and dedication to retiring this debt allowed the mortgage to be paid off 5 years earlier than planned! The morning’s celebrations included a special Thanksgiving at the Retirement of Debt liturgy along with a Rededication of the building and the members to TLLC’s mission: Inspire people to live boldly in God’s triumphant love. During the two worship services, leaders of the 2005 Building Committee, Capital Campaign Team, and Council were present along with current leaders to “Tear Up the Mortgage.”
During the Sunday School hour, all members of those past leadership groups were recognized, and the congregation celebrated with a pancake breakfast and “Burned the Mortgage” with a cake flambé!
Pastor Danielle Moore Casey reflected on this milestone, saying, “Despite being a cradle Lutheran and a pastor for over 20 years, I have never been part of a “Mortgage Burning” so it is an honor and a privilege… and so much fun to celebrate this moment with Triumphant Love. The vision for this facility was significant, and it has been a wonderful space for our congregation but more importantly for our community. This building does not sit empty Monday to Saturday. It is filled with community choirs, Lifelong Learning classes, various private group celebrations, and recitals so much so that sometimes there’s no room in this inn. What a wonderful problem to have! God is good, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for TLLC in the next 50 years!”
If you missed the celebration or want to relive the excitement of all the events click on the video below!