Commitment for Christian Leadership Development Climbs
$3,031,000 has been given to the development of Christian leaders since 1998. Resources have been directed to:
theological training
pastoral internships
youth ministry internships
music ministry internships
community wide leadership skills
developing future worship leaders
scholarships
$836,000, the largest CLD investment, has been in the theological training of members of Second for the purpose of equipping them to enter into full time Christian service.
$122,367 was invested in our 13 seminarians for 2016-17. $181,855, covering 17 seminarians, is projected investment for 2017-18.
Praise God that men and women in great numbers are answering God’s call to vocational ministry.
Praise God that others are providing the resources so that those called into full time Christian service may more fully give themselves to intensive study and preparation for serving Him.
By: Carson Weitnauer
One such person that God has called into full time Christian service is Carson Weitnauer, who graduated from seminary in 2010 with a Master of Divinity degree. He currently serves in the position of Innovator, Online Community with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. Hear in his words about his seminary experience and what it prepared him for.
The primary motivation for attending Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary was to better prepare myself to fulfill the responsibility of explaining God’s ways to the next generation. By his grace, I seek to live in complete dependence on God, imitating Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Out of this fundamental worship of God, I wanted to love God with all of my mind as much as I sought to love him with my heart, soul, and strength. Three years of intensive academic engagement, focused on exegetical study of the Scriptures in the original languages, was a tremendous gift. In addition, Gordon Conwell offered a well-rounded approach to church history, systematic theology, practical ministry, and spiritual formation. I believe this education strengthened my walk with God, and thereby prepared me to engage in a wiser, more mature form of evangelism, discipleship, church membership, and my personal relationships.
During seminary I continued in campus ministry at Harvard University with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Soon after graduation, I transitioned to developing my church’s campus ministry, which grew to include not only Harvard students but also students at Boston College Law School, Boston University, and other campuses in Boston. During this time I launched the website Reasons For God (reasonsforgod.org), co-edited the book True Reason, and served as a delegate to the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.
The next stage of ministry and life came when my wife Mo and I, with our first child, moved back to Atlanta to be close to my family. At this time, I began serving with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, first as U.S. Director, and currently, as Innovator, Online Community. With RZIM, I co-wrote the evangelism training curriculum Everyday Questions, and founded RZIM Connect, the online home for the global RZIM family. I also regularly present to the management team on major trends in US culture.
To work with the RZIM team is a delight! Ravi, his family, and my colleagues have developed an absolutely exceptional place to work. I am grateful for the passionate love for Christ, the strong friendships, the commitment to excellence, and the priority we give to the skeptic and the needy.
At my church home, Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA, I have started a Sunday community called Ask Your Question, a community where skeptics, seekers, doubters, the hurting, the curious — and their friends — can build strong friendships as we respectfully explore important questions about Christianity.
I hope to find the time and space to research and write a few more books. I’m particularly interested in three topics right now — how the gospel addresses shame, providing a richer model of evangelism for the local church, and sharing insights on the relationship between technology, culture, and the gospel.
The Second Presbyterian Foundation made an exceedingly generous — and wise — decision in placing so few strings on the gift of a seminary education. Because of this self-restraint, I have been free to pursue the calling God has placed on my life. I have a profound and life-long gratitude for the generosity of Second Presbyterian in enabling my seminary education. You have set an excellent example for me to imitate in my relationships with others. Thank you!
Gifting Life Insurance to Give Gospel Life
A life insurance policy is a tool that can be used strategically to make an impactful gift for the advancement of the gospel. Here are a few basic facts.
The Foundation can be the or a designated beneficiary of the proceeds on a life insurance policy on the life of a donor who owns the policy.
The Foundation can be the applicant/owner/beneficiary of a life insurance policy on an individual who expresses interest in partnering with the Foundation to accomplish this goal. Donors often will make tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation to offset the annual premium costs.
Utilizing life insurance is a simple strategy that does not involve investment risk.
Utilizing life insurance leverages the use of a smaller amount of dollars invested over time that yields a significant payout.
Any age individual may consider this type of gift.
The following are three examples of philanthropic minded donors that recently worked with an agent to maximize their gifts to the charities of their choice.
Case Study #1
71-year-old female, non-smoker
Owned $50,000 CD that was ear-marked for gifts to grandchildren
She had a desire to make a gift to her church’s building fund
At maturity of her CD, she used approximately $36,000 to purchase a $50,000 single premium whole life policy
At her death, her grandchildren will receive a minimum of $50,000 death benefit
She was able to immediately donate the $14,000 difference to her church
Results: The grandchildren still have $50,000 in tact at her death, and the donor gets the joy of the immediate gift to her church, while she is still living.
Case Study #2
56-year-old male, non-smoker, high income earner
After daughter graduated from high school and received a full scholarship to college, he allocated $18,000 per year for philanthropic efforts for several causes in which he was interested
He calculated the death benefit of a fully paid up 10 year, whole life policy with an annual premium of $18,000 (total of $180,000 in premium paid out over 10 years)
Results: Three separate non-profit entities will each receive a $100,000 gift upon his death, for a total gift exceeding $300,000, and he received a charitable deduction of $18,000 over ten years (charitable trust is owner of the policy).
Case Study #3
37-year-old male, non-smoker
He wanted to participate in the work of the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation
He invested in a $25,000 whole life policy for a $329.16 annual premium, or $27.43 a month
Results: The Foundation will one day receive a gift of $25,000. The donor has the joy of knowing that his sacrifice each year will strategically benefit the ministries of his church.
Gifts of life insurance have a wide range of commitment levels for the donor and are easily designed to fit financial capability. If you would like to discuss a gift to the Foundation using life insurance, call Vicki Simmons at 454-0034, ext. 193 or send her an email.
