SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – It’s a special Sunday for a local church and its congregation. With the help of donations, the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church paid off a $7 million mortgage in just six years.

Congregants of Baptist church are giving a little extra thanks and praise this Sunday for the church’s Family Life Center in Oak Park.

“We really have a plan, God has given us,” said Pastor Ephraim Williams.

Williams and St. Paul’s will not be a statistic in the record number of churches foreclosing in the U.S.

“There’s a number of church’s that foreclosed cannot afford them,” said Williams.

Today’s mortgage burning ceremony included musical entertainment, appearances by Mayor Kevin Johnson and Darrel Steinburg, and financial workshops, something Williams strongly supports.

Members of the St Paul’s say the life center has proven to be invaluable.

“It’s something that was well needed in the community. It gives the community an opportunity out of trouble,” said member Gonti Newman.

Pastor Williams is looking ahead to the next project, which will likely include an expansion of the life center, including senior housing, a daycare center and an after school program.