How Planned Giving Can Help Your Church Grow

"I would like to help my church, but isn't my estate too small to really help?" This is the sort of question Harry Straub, Planned Giving Director for the Ohio Conference, receives on a regular basis. His response? "No. Everyone needs a will, no matter how big the estate."

Many people are often unaware of the free services provided by their conference. In Ohio, the Planned Giving department offers free to its constituents POAs (Power of Attorney) for healthcare, durable POAs for assets, and will preparations which are important for members of any age. Wills allow families with children under 18 to name their own guardians for their children, rather than the courts. "Children can be raised as the parents desire, not how others desire," said Straub.

Wills also offers peace of mind for the children or parents of the deceased. One adult daughter recently expressed to Straub "I want to thank you for the work you do. I can't imagine having settled my mother's estate without having the proper legal paperwork taken care of. You have been a blessing to many." According to statistics, only 30% of the nation has a will; a recent survey showed 43% of Ohio constituents have a will, well above the national average. "This is a good start, but we have a long way to go," said Straub.

"Wills should be made in a manner to stand the test of law?.Death will not come one day sooner, brethren, because you have made your will. In disposing of your property by will to your relatives, be sure that you do not forget God's cause. You are His agents, holding His property; and His claims should have your first consideration. {EGW, 4T 482.3}

The Conference retains legal counsel to ensure all paperwork is done properly. Wills, annuities, and endowments allow individuals to distribute their assets to their family, church, school, community center, and/or conference. State laws are very specific, and do not take into consideration an individual's charitable giving during their lifetime; inheritances go only to heirs.

Within Ohio, numerous projects have been funded as a direct result of Planned Giving. The Campus Ministries program was going to have to be postponed or eliminated due to a lack of funding in early 2010. However, on the morning this issue was going to be discussed, a check was received from an estate which funded this program for three campuses for an entire year! Partial funding for Camp Mohaven's new bath-house came from another estate, $500 more than the conference pledged as seed money for the project, and arriving within only days of being voted by the Conference Executive Committee. "Your Father knows what you need before you ask." (Matthew 6:8, CEV)

Recently the Newark church has been beneficiaries of the John and Sylvia Carter Estate. As they had no children, the Carters wanted their assets to benefit their local congregation. In order to decide how to best utilize the funds, church leaders surveyed needs of members as well as the people who came into their Community Services Center for food or clothing. The survey results easily dovetailed with Pastor Tom Hughes' ideas he adopted from The Ministry of Healing (page 143), "I determined in my heart that I would follow Jesus' true method of evangelism and the Newark Church embraced this vision?," said Hughes.

The newly renovated Community Services Center also houses their New Horizons Learning Center, which will provide basic computer, math, and reading classes. The facility can also host marriage and parenting seminars, assorted counseling programs, as well as a variety of other classes taught by Hughes and friends of the church. "We started our renovation project with $30,000 donated by two church members," said Donna Goodell, coordinator for the Center. "Our project is completed, it is debt free (thanks in part to the Carter Estate)." Newark city officials showed their support by attending their recent grand opening, and Mayor Bob Diebold assisted Hughes and President Raj Attiken at the ribbon cutting ceremony. "We are meeting their needs by giving them the tools they need to succeed. Our success depends on their success!" noted Hughes.

"The Carter Estate has given us the opportunity to significantly improve the lives of our church members and our school students. The Carter Pavilion and new playground will greatly add to the unity of oneness of our church. The endowment, set up from a portion of the Carter Estate, will continue to bless the school for years to come," said Hughes.

"Thank you. I didn't know how I was going to help the church after my death," is what Straub usually hears after helping a constituent complete arrangements for his or her estate. "That is what I'm here for," he often replies. Interested in learning more about Planned Giving? Visit www.ohioconference.org and click on Departments and then Planned Giving, or you may email [email protected].