FUNDation Strong: Internal Mission

Over the last eighteen months this monthly space has been dedicated to answering the question of “What exactly does the Foundation do?”

The short answer is that it advances the gospel in partnership with our church and its mission and does so through its almost 40 funds that have varying degrees of governance and resources from which grants are made.

In order to more easily understand them, they are put in smaller groups of common mission. Those areas are intensive mission, internal mission, external mission, and missional generosity.

We have been looking deeply at the first group – intensive mission. Funds in this category support seminarians; pastoral residencies; youth residencies; music internships; leadership development for post college residents (Fellows); and eight scholarship programs. For the first twenty-one years of the Foundation, $3,023,000 was invested in this group. Each of those stories can be revisited at www.2pcfoundation.org within the News section.

Over the next several months we will turn to the funds that complement the internal mission of Second. While the church does not rely on the Foundation to support its ongoing operational budget, several funds in years past were established through the gifts of donors who had a passion to support specific internal ministries of the church. They include the church library; children’s ministry; family camp; recreation; children’s music program; and Second’s Conservatory. Since the inception of the Foundation twenty-two years ago, $330,641 has been granted from these funds.

FUNDation Strong: Neighborhood Christian Center Scholarship Fund

This year, 34 freshmen students who previously participated in the Neighborhood Christian Center’s College and Career Program (CAPS) are enrolled in college. These students participated in CAPS’s College Scholarship Incentive Program.

The Foundation supports this effort through its Neighborhood Christian Center Scholarship Fund, which was established through the generous gifts of donors who had the passion to see that these students received financial support to assist in attaining this important step in their lives.

Over the past six academic years, the fund has supported 330 student enrollments and $483,420 in college scholarships.

NCC provides the College Scholarship Incentive Program in order to meet their organizational goal to provide opportunities for connecting under-resourced high school youth to college preparatory activities, college tours, peer mentoring, and more.  These opportunities promote increased rates of high school graduation and college enrollment.

How It Works

This program is offered to students in grades 10-12. In order to qualify for tuition points, which are then translated into monetary support, every student must attend an array of empowerment and educational programs. These funds are truly vital in not only incentivizing young people to participate in NCC’s programs in order to build strong, hard-working, productive Christian leaders, but also to ensure that these students have every opportunity to attend college despite their financial circumstances.

The goal of NCC is to educate and empower young people in the underprivileged communities of Memphis to break the cycle of generational poverty that includes truancy, high school drop outs, drinking and drug use, teenage pregnancy, violence, and arrests. They do this by engaging high school-aged students in various programs and events that promote educational attainment; empowering them to develop and reach their educational and life goals; and affecting long-term change in the lives of the students.

As part of the CAPS program, NCC works with Arkansas State University Mid-South to provide the opportunity for high school students to gain college credit during the summer. Presently, there are 40 students that qualify for this program. In addition to the tuition, NCC supports them with their homework; helps them develop study skills; and mentors them throughout the process. Upon completion of the summer program, each student receives three hours of college credit. NCC provides transportation to and from the daily classes in West Memphis, AR.

The Personal Perspective
as told by Carlos Webster, College and Operations Coordinator for NCC

The Scholarship Fund is instrumental in assisting students who seek to further their education. It impacts the lives of students and their families beyond the amount of the scholarship. Not only does the scholarship help them financially but the aid also motivates them to get good grades, maintain good character, and stay focused on finishing school. A snapshot of the effect of the fund is highlighted by four recipients - Jasmine Brewer and Rosiland Miller, who both graduated from college in May of 2019, and Denzel Fields and Carrie Conner, who graduated from college in May 2014.

Jasmine Brewer

Jasmine and Rosiland both participated in our afterschool programs from sixth through twelfth grade. One of the motivating factors used as an incentive was the college scholarship. Although they are not related they both grew up in households led by their grandmothers in the under resourced areas of North Memphis.

Jasmine and her siblings had lived with their grandmother since she was six years old, due to her mother passing away. Jasmine graduated from Manassas High School in 2014. After graduation, she became the first person in her family to attend a four-year university. Jasmine attended the University of Memphis and is now living and working in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Rosalind Miller

Rosiland lived with her grandmother and assisted her with the homecare of her uncle who is mentally disabled. Rosiland graduated from Northside High School in 2014. After graduation she became the first person in her family to go to college. Rosiland attended Tennessee State University in Nashville and is now currently working in the healthcare industry.

Without the scholarship they may not have had the desire to attend college, the motivation to stay in school, or the resources needed to complete school. The scholarship fund allows students to set goals that are achievable as well as the resources to achieve them.

Denzel Fields

Denzel Fields participated in our after-school programs from sixth to twelfth grade. Upon graduation, he had a desire to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta. After being accepted he found the cost of tuition was greater than his available resources. His scholarship from the NCC assisted him in attending Morehouse for the next four years. Denzel didn't stop there. He went on to graduate school at PennState. After graduating from PennState, he moved to New York City to pursue his dream of being on Broadway. Without the NCC scholarship, Denzel may have never made it to Morehouse.

Carrie Conner

Carrie Conner participated in our after-school programs from ninth to twelfth grade. After graduation, she attended the University of Memphis. Carrie is very community focused and has volunteered at the NCC every possible opportunity. She received the NCC scholarship for four years. She graduated from the University of Memphis and received job offers from several Fortune 500 companies. She accepted a job with Kimberly-Clarke and moved to Atlanta. She always had a passion for acting and she landed a role in the blockbuster hit movie The Black Panther. Carrie continues to pursue her passion and now lives in Los Angeles. She continues to volunteer at NCC whenever she is in town and always says that she wants to give like the NCC gave to her.

FUNDation Strong: Scholarships Strike a Chord for Visible Music College Students

Established in 2017-18, the Foundation’s Visible Music College Scholarship Fund provides financial scholarships for need based and deserving students who are accepted for enrollment at Visible Music College. The fund was seeded with $50,000 from the Foundation’s Undesignated Fund and contributions from donors exceed $18,000. The first grant for scholarships was made in 2019-20 for just under $3,500.

The Visible Music College is a global Christian college designed to train and equip musical artists, producers and professional managers in skill and character for effective service in the music industry and the Church, and to stand out as Christians in their profession. This is achieved through a rigorous accredited program in association with an internal record label. Students are launched into their field as musicians, producers, church worship leaders, and community volunteers. 

VMC Founder and President, Dr. Ken Steorts

Visible Music College was established in 2000 by Founder and President, Dr. Ken Steorts. Ken's vision was shaped while touring worldwide as a performer with the Dove Award-winning and Grammy-nominated Christian band Skillet. During this time, he observed young musicians with great promise but little instruction or guidance. Drawing from both traditional and vocational educational models, he pioneered an educational center where a mix of academic music study, technical skill development and character-building mentorship produces qualified, creative and passionate world-changers for the Church and the entertainment industry.

Visible Music College attracts students from all 50 states and over 25 foreign countries. Within a Christian discipleship model, students get hands-on professional experience while earning an accredited bachelor degree. Visible graduates work in ministry as well as the broader music industry. In ministry jobs, they're employed at churches as worship leaders, music directors and audio technicians. In the music industry, they're affecting popular culture managing record labels, marketing music venues and becoming pop artists. They have recently had students as finalists on NBC's The Voice and American Idol.

 Geordy Wells is Vice President of Advancement and a member of Second Presbyterian Church. He stated, “Students from around the world would not be able to attend Visible Music College without support from the school's institutional scholarship fund. In fact, about 80% of Visible students typically need assistance. Through the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation, Christian leaders and gifted musicians pursuing ministry will benefit from this initiative now and into the future. We are so thankful for the Foundation's support for our students, programs and mission.”

The grants made from the Fund are to be used for the purpose of providing scholarships for tuition, books, or room and/or board at Visible Music College. Priority is to be given to the application of these scholarships for need based and deserving students from the Memphis area or need based and deserving international students.  Additional priority is to be given to students pursuing a degree in modern music with a major in worship leadership, vocals, or instruments, whose aim upon graduation is to serve within the Christian community or express their talent as a Christian artist.

While the Fund is an endowment for scholarships, it also has an expendable component, which allows donors to contribute resources that can be immediately deployed to support current student scholarships.

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FUNDation Strong: Two Funds Benefit Graduates of Binghampton Christian Academy

Mission of BCA

Binghampton Christian Academy is a private, Christian day and boarding school that serves the Binghampton community.  Its mission is to develop students who honor and glorify God, promote spiritual and academic excellence, and encourage them to become productive Godly leaders. 

Those involved implement the mission by leading children to Christ, seeking academic excellence, and providing a positive Christ-centered support environment for learning. At the core of these endeavors is prayer.

History of BCA

BCA was founded as The Neighborhood School in 1993 by Mrs. Jo Walt to offer a Christian education to children in Binghampton. In its first year, BCA served 15 students in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church gymnasium. In August 1994, the school moved to the current location at Tillman and Walnut Grove where it continued to grow to serve 136 students annually in Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade. 

Distinguishing Feature: Residential Program

For 30 of the highest needs students, BCA has a novel Residential Program. It is a voluntary program for students who are facing major challenges including: unstable home environments, lack of parental supervision, lack of parental academic support, learning challenges, or emotional instability. The major purpose of the program is to serve as an extension of the home by facilitating after-school instruction, providing around-the-clock care, mentoring the students, providing special activities; and ensuring that the dorms are environments that are conducive to promoting meaningful academic, spiritual, and emotional development.

Students in the Residential Program are supported in their academics through After School Enrichment and one-on-one tutoring; engage in meaningful relationships with community volunteers; expand their spiritual lives through Bible Study and youth group activities; experience unique cultural events; participate in athletic teams; and much more. 

The students live in dormitories that are located on BCA’s campus Monday through Friday and return home on the weekends and during school breaks. Living on campus during the school week allows the students to participate in a broader range of enrichment activities, and ensures that they receive proper supervision, academic support, nutrition, and social interaction. As a “community boarding program”, the Residential Program ensures that these students remain in the community they are from because the school wants them to maintain as strong as possible relationships with their families and the community they are from. 

The Foundation invested $60,000 over the course of three years, beginning in 2010 and until 2013, as it assisted BCA in its efforts to repurpose the residential program to what it has become.

It is the only program of its kind in the region and has produced strong student outcomes including a nearly 100 percent high school graduation rate since 2010.  More than 65 percent of former students have entered college or another post-secondary education program.  BCA works closely with parents to help identify the best high school placement for their child.  The school has been successful at leveraging relationships with private and charter schools in the area to provide opportunities for students. Additionally, the Foundation has two separate funds - Graduates of Binghampton Christian Academy Fund and Meredith Fox Memorial Scholarship Fund - that each provide scholarships that assist students once they leave the care of BCA.  

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Graduates of Binghampton Christian Academy Fund

This fund was established by the Foundation Board in 2013. Initial funding originated from the Board’s movement of $25,000 from its Undesignated Fund and from a $10,000 gift from a donor. 

Omina, Nancy, and Widon

“Many students have come from the Memphis area and returned to impact their neighborhoods. Young people with names like Musa, Lakok, Silla, Duarte, whose lives have been impacted by Christ and are accomplishing good things. 

These are some of the ones that Second Presbyterian Foundation is enabling to live fruitfully and reach goals they never dreamed. No longer do they walk with their eyes cast down. They walk more confidently through positive doors you have helped open.”

The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarships for need based and deserving children who are graduates of Binghampton Christian Academy and are accepted for enrollment at eligible schools at the secondary education level. Eligible schools are those that will further the Christian education that has been afforded the students at BCA. They are schools that are committed to a strong Christian education utilizing a well-regarded Christian curriculum and enhancing the spiritual, social and educational welfare of the students placed under their care. 

One such school is French Camp Academy, located in French Camp, Mississippi. There have been 18 scholarships provided for a total of $16,960 and they have all been at FCA. As of June 30, 2019, the fund balance is $22,044.

Learn more about the relationship of the Foundation with French Camp Academy.

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Meredith Fox Memorial Scholarship Fund

Samuel Kamba and Asu Banga

The Meredith Ashley Fox Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the Foundation in December 2009 based on an initial ten-year planned gift of $100,000 by a family in our congregation. It provides funding for graduates of BCA to attend Evangelical Christian School for four years beginning in the ninth grade. The scholarship is in memory of Meredith Fox, daughter of Second members Roy and Terri Fox. Meredith attended ECS as a freshman.

Jaylynn Futrell

That gift fostered additional gifts with close to 100 families and individuals choosing to participate in honoring Meredith with contributions to this effort. As of September 30, 2019, $80,000 has been granted in scholarships with a balance of $281,000 remaining in the fund. Four students have received scholarships. Recipients have included Mayada Mukhrais, Samuel Kamba, Asu Banga and Jaylynn Futrell. The partnership with ECS now enables two BCA students to attend at the same time in alternating classes. 

FUNDation Strong: Forming Boys in Wisdom and Stature

Second Presbyterian Church birthed Presbyterian Day School in 1949. The founding of PDS was an important missional decision by our church in furthering God’s Kingdom. Since its inception, PDS’s mission has been to honor God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. PDS is deeply rooted in its founding belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and that Christian education is vital.

It is an integral part of the PDS mission to provide an academic and Christian foundation not just to those who can afford it, but also to boys who would otherwise not have access to a PDS education. Second Presbyterian Church and subsequently the Foundation have historically supported that mission with the Clay Scholarship Fund, which was established by a donor to support boys of members of Second seeking financial aid through PDS. Scholarships in the amount of $215,000 have been provided since 1985.

In an effort to reflect God’s Kingdom and the city of Memphis, PDS also has been taking intentional and strategic steps to become more ethnically and socioeconomically diverse.  PDS Headmaster Steve Hancock recently stated, “We need to make certain this world-class education is affordable and accessible for all qualified applicants. The possibilities are very exciting as we build a robust community that mirrors our city.”

The PDS Young Scholars Program was launched in 2010 to provide the opportunity for boys from any part of the Memphis area to attend PDS. The initial efforts have borne fruit in the lives of many young men, who are now well on their way to completing the secondary level of school. There are an additional twenty young scholars who are currently enrolled at PDS across the JK – 6th grade spectrum.

“The great news about this program is that PDS has, for many years, successfully recruited, welcomed, discipled, mentored and graduated boys from under resourced families,” says Don Batchelor, former PDS Board Chair and 2PC Foundation Board member. In fact, the first Young Scholar graduates were so well taught and mentored that they were all in the top half of their respective classes.

Based on this proven track record, PDS expanded the program in the fall of 2017.  The Foundation also established the Presbyterian Day School Young Scholars Fund at that time.  The PDSYSF will help support this goal with partial scholarship funding for tuition and related costs to attend PDS.

With Christian Leadership Development a key missional focus for the Foundation, in the fall of 2017 the Board approved partial support for one Young Scholar for eight years and also established the endowed Fund with seed money of $50,000. A goal of approximately $300,000 will net sufficient earnings to sponsor an additional student in perpetuity.  The Fund also has an expendable component, which allows donors to contribute resources that can be immediately deployed to support current students.

John Alexander is the Chairman of the PDS Board and also serves on the Foundation Board. He said, “The PDS Young Scholars Program is helping qualified boys who might not otherwise have the opportunity to gain access to world class Christian education. In supporting this program, the 2PC Foundation is participating in changing our school, our church, and our city for the glory of God.”

Learn more about the PDS Young Scholars Program.

FUNDation Strong: Forming Millennials and Gen Zs in Christ

Why would an early 20-something move to a city mostly unknown to him or her; live with complete strangers; be placed in their first job upon graduating from college with the guidance of people they only recently met; commit to hours of more study and volunteerism; dwell in community with a complete group of peer strangers; and pay an additional year of tuition to do all of this? 

The answer: To start well.   

Each academic year about 10 recent college graduates arrive in Memphis to participate in the Fellows program at Second for the next 8 ½ months.  The Memphis Fellows is part of a network of almost 30 Fellows programs across the country that are members of The Fellows Initiative, a national organization committed to the flourishing of Fellows programs. This growing movement is a proven model for forming millennials and now Gen Zs in Christ.

As part of a state-wide two day legislative trip to Nashville, the four Tennessee Fellows programs convene annually to attend legislative sessions; tour the Governor’s residence; meet with state legislators and other public officials; learn about civic involvement; and fellowship with other Fellows. The Memphis Fellows also met with recently inaugurated Governor Bill Lee and his wife, Maria, as well as Attorney General Herbert Slatery.

The Memphis program is now in its 14th year, having a total of 123 participants. The weekly elements of the Memphis program consist of a 32-hour internship in a chosen industry; instruction in both Christian world-view and Bible study; testimonies from speakers from various vocational disciplines on the integration of faith and work; round-table dinner discussions on relevant topics or for fellowship; and volunteerism with ministries in the community.

Other elements throughout the year include vocational discernment and preparation; counseling assessment; financial planning; domestic and world missions exposure; evangelism; a silent retreat; and a mentoring relationship. Addressing the cultural issues of the day through the Christian lens is a key component. 

The results of the program are impressive both at the national and local levels. The spiritual formation of over 2000 millennials nationwide and the encouragement and training of them to be engaged in the local church is the overarching accomplishment. In Memphis, an overwhelming number of graduates have chosen to remain in Memphis at least for a few years, investing in this city. Concurrently the new member rolls of Second have included many Fellows graduates.

Deborah Coleman is the current Fellows Director. She is responsible for overseeing, through the work of committees, the functions of recruitment; placement in homes, jobs and with mentors; instruction and programming; volunteerism; and alumni involvement; as well as being present in the lives of the Fellows during the program year and sometimes beyond.      

As with most educational programs, tuition does not cover the entire cost to administer the program.  Second provides valuable but limited support to the program. In 2012, the Foundation was asked to help manage the growth of the modest resources that the Fellows held. Subsequently, donations were directed to the newly established Fellows Fund and the Board later directed a portion of a bequest to it from an individual who had valued the purpose of the program.

The fund exists for scholarships for participants unable to pay or raise the total tuition and for programmatic support. The Memphis program annually hosts the Micah 6:8 regional conference for half of the national programs. Funding for the conference speakers has been a part of the grants made as well as for the silent retreats and registration fees for the female Fellows to attend the church’s annual Women’s Retreat and the male Fellows to attend a similar retreat. 

The goals and results of the Fellows program are far reaching at many individual and corporate levels; enhance the local church; impact many of its ministries; and impact the community in which we live. The Foundation is pleased to have the opportunity to support this intensive method of developing future generations of leaders for the church.

FUNDation Strong: Music To Our Ears

In 2011 an anonymous couple approached the Foundation about making a planned 10-year gift after observing the benefits that the Youth ministry gained by having youth interns. They had a vision and a passion for the effectual training of students in the areas of worship leadership through music, whether vocal or instrumental. The Music Ministry Internship Fund was established as a modest expendable fund, which allowed it to be used immediately but basically with a year-to-year funding source for one intern.

The terms of the fund allowed for big dreams however. The goal of the program is to use the ongoing work of Second’s music ministry as a training ground for primarily college and graduate students pursuing careers in church music or music education. 

This breadth of experience includes working with a multi-staff music ministry; receiving training in rehearsal technique and planning as well as liturgical and repertoire planning; participating in a leadership role in worship services, including with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra; and working with the faculty of the Conservatory of Music.

Within that setting, opportunities for four or more interns could be provided within a single academic year. The areas of focus include serving as section leaders of the adult choir; working with the children’s or youth choirs; coordinating the hand bell choir; or working with other instrumentals, such as the organ.  Summer interns lead in areas such as VBS and the Patriotic Pops.

Since the fund was established and made known to the congregation, the funding for it has grown. There have been memorials designated for it; bequests directed to it; and earnings applied to it. As of June 30, 2018 the fund had $103,484.

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Results

Since 2011, eleven students have benefited from the program and continue to serve in music ministry capacities where they are planted. Among them are Hannah Good Crowley, Molly Johnson Pennington, Daniel Polloreno.

Hannah is a volunteer children’s choir leader, a teacher in Second’s Conservatory of Music, and a periodic Sunday evening worship team leader.

Molly serves as the organist for River Oaks Presbyterian Church in Germantown.

Daniel serves is a music worship leader at Second’s church plant Esperanza and also as a periodic Sunday evening worship team leader at Second.

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Impact

 There appears to be two take aways surrounding this fund.

• That imagination of the original couple; their stepping forward to inquire how their dream might work; their offering of a gift spread out over ten years; and the willingness of the Foundation Board to assist them in their dream by facilitating the process in a new venture;
  - all were the ingredients for the success of the program.

• The program has become valuable to the music ministry to the extent that the church, as it can, is beginning to support additional interns.

Future

With the planned gift coming to a conclusion in 2020 and in order to not invade the principle, the earnings off of the fund will be enough for one intern annually.  In order to support additional interns at no cost to the church, the fund will need to grow.

Currently, Daija McNeil and Donavan Hughes serve as interns sponsored by this fund. Also serving as interns and sponsored by the church are Haleigh Boykin and Samuel Johnson.

The presence of student-age interns provides vitality to the ministry and at the same time provides an excellent experience for them as they pursue their goals using their gifts and talents. As a church, we are privileged to assist them as they in turn minister among us.

FUNDation Strong: The Days of Your Youth

In 2002 an anonymous couple provided a gift to the Foundation which was used to seed support for youth internships. That was followed by faithful multi-year gifts from them for that purpose, as well as a gift from another couple who also recognized the need

The Foundation Board received a large undesignated bequest in 2005. While the majority of the gift was directed to the Undesignated Fund, the Board took intentional action by establishing and funding a Youth Internship Fund, the earnings of which would provide for two-year youth interns.

These young people, now referred to as residents, have the opportunity to experience all facets of youth ministry. This program is a vital part of our ministry here at Second and is contributing to the development of training up young men and women to minster around the world.

The Results

As of this past July, the program will have graduated 24 interns/residents. Of them, 19 have gone directly into full-time ministry and currently 12 of them are still involved in full-time ministry, both youth and pastoral.

Recent graduates are serving in the following capacities:

• MK Billings— elementary coordinator at Second Presbyterian Church

• Kit Stallings—graduate school at University of Memphis for counseling and works in Second’s recreation ministry

• Caroline Schaefer— Assistant Athletic Director for Operations at Hutchison School

• Michael Bowen—Assistant Director of Construction and Training at Christian Service Mission in Birmingham, AL

• Stephen Copeland – Assistant Youth Director, Greentree Community Church (Kirkwood, MO) and a student at Covenant Theological Seminary

There are currently 3 residents on staff and are funded in part with assistance from the 2PC budget. They include:

• Carly Roberts—graduate of Arkansas State University

• Jordan Young—graduate of South Eastern Missouri State

• Reed Jostes—graduate of the University of Florida

The residents continue to be trained in the areas of reformed theology and Biblical youth ministry, as well as being heavily involved in the practical aspects of youth ministry and the larger church body.

Our residents are actively involved in all of our planning and programming aspects, given target groups of students (junior and senior high) to form relationships with, attend and help lead all of our programs, and attend training meetings.

This summer, our 2ndyear resident, Reed Jostes, led one of the summer missions trips for the junior high here in Memphis working with SOS. This was a great experience for him to grow greater in confidence, leadership and ministry. All reports from Reed, the students, and adults who participated in the trips have been positive and affirming for them in their giftedness and calling in ministry.

These trips and many other experiences with the residents over the past year have further served to confirm the great need for this program to continue – not only as it impacts our own church and city, but knowing the significant need around the country for committed, solid, and trained young men and women to serve in youth ministry.

The money spent on residents is an extremely important resource for youth ministry and is used to further the advancement of His Kingdom here in Memphis and around the world.

The residency has also served to further our impact locally, in seeing God use them to reach more students on more campuses that have resulted in a growth in our outreach meetings and small group ministry.

Additionally, the residents are regularly meeting 1-on-1 with various students weekly for more intentional and in depth discipleship as they do life on life ministry with them.

Along with impact in the city of Memphis, many of our residents have been able to take their learning to a new level with the opportunity to sit in seminary classes each year. Growing in spiritual wisdom and knowledge are a part of this residency program.

There is further impact of this program in Gospel ministry around the world.

Key professors in youth ministry at Columbia International University, Gordon College, Covenant College and Taylor University have met with the Youth staff to discuss our internship/residency program and get insight into youth ministry within the church context.

Since the Internship Program began in 2002, 18 other churches have contacted us to get information on starting their own internship program.

Our youth staff has had the opportunity to train youth ministry leaders in Uganda, Mexico, Argentina, and Hungary. There have also been recent explored partnership opportunities with both the St. Andrews Olivos Church in Buenos Aires, Argentina as well as the Paulus Movement in Budapest, Hungary, to help them train their future youth leaders.

The Foundation has remained committed to this intensive mission these last 16 years. The Lord has truly blessed us all as we have seen Him use this program to further the ministry of the Gospel in our church, in our city and around the world.

FUNDation Strong: Providing a Learning Laboratory

Where does one go to learn to be a pastor? Seminary is the obvious answer and undoubtedly the main ingredient in the preparation of a pastor. In fact, our church and Foundation have supported 132 seminarians since the early 1960s.

However another key ingredient is immersion in the local church. The result is the production of a well-qualified and trained candidate for pastoral ministry.  

The Foundation, through the assistance of the Charlie Gillespie Fund, has trained ten such individuals.  Mr. Charlie, as he was referred to and for whom the fund is named, served our church as a long time elder beginning in 1924, as a teacher and an author, as well as a Moderator of the General Assembly. Prior to 1917 he organized the first Boy Scout Troup at Second and became its Scoutmaster. He died in the late 1970s. 

A Lily Foundation study done some time ago showed that one-third of all seminary graduates left the ministry within five years; one-third continued but were extremely unhappy; and one-third were happy in their calling. However, the majority of the participants of our church’s intensive program that allows ministry immersion on a daily basis have expressed satisfaction in their respective ministries and are making significant contributions to the Kingdom. The training and preparation for ministry they have received additionally enables them to serve as good mentors to the next generation.

Over $419,000 has been invested in the training of these individuals from a combination of the Gillespie Fund and the Undesignated Fund. 

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The Impact of the Pastoral Residency Program

Chuck Jacob, former assistant pastor at Second, served as a pastoral intern for one year beginning in 1998. Based on the success of that internship, the Pastoral Internship Program (now Pastoral Residency Program – PRP) officially began in 1999, in order to prepare seminarians for pastoral ministry. Over the 18-month average of the program, students complete their practical training in partnership with Second Presbyterian after completing their theological studies at a seminary. They receive church-based mentoring and instruction in practical theology and ministry, taking credit courses such as pastoral counseling, worship, preaching, missions, evangelism, and spiritual life development. Students have come to the program from four seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) Jackson, RTS Orlando, Gordon-Conwell, and Covenant. 

The Lord has used each PRP graduate in His work throughout the country:

Chuck Jacob: Senior Pastor at Church of the Good Shepherd, Durham, North Carolina and former Senior Pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Sean Brandt: Served for seven years as a pastor in Wichita, Kansas. Currently works for FedEx Ground, to better provide for his family’s needs

David Nelson: Former Assistant Pastor in Christian education and young couples ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Stanley, North Carolina

Peter Wang: Pastor of Grace Redeemer Church, Glen Rock, New Jersey which is a plant of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City, New York

Chuck Colson: Senior Pastor of Christ Church (PCA), Mandarin, Florida and former church planter and Rector of Church of the Ascension in Arlington, Virginia

Ryan McVicar: Church planter and Pastor of New City Presbyterian (PCA), Detroit, Michigan 

David Stenberg: Counselor with Christian Psychological Center in Memphis and formerly Assistant Pastor at All Saints Presbyterian, Midtown Memphis, Tennessee 

Barton Kimbro: Assistant Pastor at Second Presbyterian, Memphis, Tennessee

Michael Davis: Pastor at Downtown Church, Memphis, Tennessee

Josh Preston:  Current resident working with Pastor George Robertson

Chuck Colson remarked on his experience. “ I learned a great deal about my strengths and weakness as an individual, the dynamics and challenges of working on a staff team, and the challenge of communicating the Bible to people in winsome and loving ways. Most importantly, I was able to develop my own ideas about what kind of pastor I wanted to be when I grew up. This was invaluable. 

“The experience exposed me to the broad array of skills a pastor must possess. The congregation was patient in allowing me to develop in these different capacities, although I imagine some of it was rather painful for them! However, the greatest gifts Second gave me was the opportunity to learn about people – their struggles, hopes, failures, and dreams. In the work of a pastor, God and people are inseparable. The program allowed me to dip my toe into that great ocean of learning. It shaped me in profound ways, and subsequently bears fruit to God’s glory.”

With the combination of sound theology, practical ministry experience, and mentor relationships that PRP provides, residents have left the program prepared to serve in the pastoral roles to which they were called.

In recent years, our church has launched LAUNCH, which is also a pastoral residency program. The distinctive of LAUNCH is that participants typically take all or almost all of seminary classes online or through intensive one-week formats during the time that they reside for four years in the program. The Foundation participates by providing for their seminary expenses.  

FUNDation Strong: Seminarians at the Heart of the Mission

The history of Second’s commitment to funding seminarians who are members of our church goes back at least to the early 1960s. When researching those old and sometimes yellowed records, one has to smile at the quite literal “carbon copies” of documents; the formality and length of hand written letters of correspondence; the odd shaped forms of promissory notes for student loans to be forgiven if engaged in full time Christian work; and most notably the price of seminary in those days. 

The Wills and Endowment Committee of the Session – the forerunner to the Foundation – facilitated support for about 65 seminarians until 1998 when its work came to a conclusion as it granted its pool of resources – almost $3,000,000 – to seed this then new organization, the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation.

So it is appropriate that support for seminarians is arguably a core mission and priority of the Foundation. As part of the transition, the Foundation assumed responsibility for six funds that were established either from bequests or memorials given.  The majority were given in the mid 1980s.

For those who have been at Second for a while, the names on these funds will resonate – Earl Hooks, Dr. Jim Hazelwood, Blanch Pence, Martha Stewart, William Crosby and Sara Vanfossan. For most others the names will not ring a bell, but the ongoing impact of these funds is mighty. Together they established an early pattern of dedicated support for this form of intensive preparation for ministry.

Due to the nature of the funds established in another economic time, the current total of these funds is $185,000, which nets approximately $9,000 per year. In today’s economy, that covers expenses for less than one year for one student.  

However, because of the historical commitment to providing support for our members called to full time ministry and the long term proven results, the Foundation Board marries funds from its undesignated fund to make up the difference in what is needed from year to year. For instance this year the total commitment is $240,000 for 30 seminarians.

 Ideally the Foundation will one day have enough resources housed in a dedicated fund that will meet the expense needs for our seminarians, freeing up those undesignated dollars for missional work at home and abroad. 

So what is the result of the $993,000 that has been spent in the first twenty years? Immeasurable Fruit. There have been 67 students supported with an even more number of degrees earned. Degrees such as Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling.

Students obtained those degrees from institutions such as Reformed Theological Seminary either in Orlando, Charlotte, Jackson or as part of the RTS Global Education program; Covenant Seminary in St. Louis; or Gordon Conwell Seminary near Boston and in Charlotte, among others. 

Seminarians are still required to continue into full-time Christian ministry upon graduation and the overwhelming majority of those supported remain in Christian service today. They are ordained pastors; hold non-ordained positions of leadership in churches; serve as counselors in a Christian setting; are missionaries in foreign lands; serve in many and various types of para-church organizations; and work in Christian educational environments.

The stories and the fruit are voluminous. Ten seminarians have been featured over the past year as we have learned in detail how they are sounding forth the gospel in various parts of the world.

The success of this investment is rooted in the thorough examination and application processes that candidates are subject to – for the good of all. The Foundation works with the pastoral staff of the church and the Christian Psychological Center. Lay mentors are assigned for the length of seminary and two years beyond.  

More that just continuing and improving an effort begun many years ago, the Grants Committee of the Foundation constantly asks what is the prevailing purpose of an investment this large. For instance, with the inception of the LAUNCH pastoral residency program a few years ago, it was determined that support would be provided for their seminary studies as well. The basic answer however is the reminder that we provide partial support for our members while they are taking theological training to the end that they may be able to give themselves more fully to intensive study and preparation for serving our Lord Jesus Christ in full time Christian service.

Praise the Lord that so many have been raised up out of Second Presbyterian Church for this intensive mission.