Foundation Newsletter, November 2018

As the initial investor in the vision, development, and implementation of Alcy Ball Development Corporation, the Foundation has committed resources totaling $435,000 since 2011. The creation of ABDC supports the vision of the Shalom Project and Mission Memphis. This successful engagement serves as a model for restoration and revitalization in other distressed neighborhoods and cities through partnerships embracing the Shalom strategy. 

Hear directly from Executive Director Chris Oliver about the progress being made in Alcy Ball as ABDC seeks to restore prosperity and health; equip local leadership; and facilitate a healthy transition of leadership to the next generation of residents.

Members of Second recently took advantage of a well-presented session on estate planning. Local attorney and Second member Josh Baker provided practical information on the topic. This information equipped those attending to be able to more easily work with their own personal advisors. 

In case you missed it or you want to hear it again, the session is available to be listened to along with viewing the powerpoint presentation.  

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! II Corinthians 9:15

Our response to what our Lord clearly initiated and completed on our behalf is thankfulness expressed in our worship of the triune God. Worship takes on many forms and includes worshipful giving.

Worshipful giving reveals the heart and instructs the heart.

Worshipful giving brings adoration to the Lord and not to the world.

Worshipful giving is a mark of true worship.

Worshipful giving is planned.

Worshipful giving is proportional.

Worshipful giving is sacrificial.

Worshipful giving is transformational.

Worshipful giving deeply blesses the giver and the receiver.

If the Foundation can assist you in planning or making a gift please contact the office or give here.

Questions about the Foundation?
Contact vicki.simmons@2pc.org
or visit the 2PC Foundation online

Foundation Newsletter, August 2018

Do you need practical, useful, and not overly technical information about relevant estate planning issues so that you can begin to order your estate or revisit your current plans?

Great news! This fall you will have an opportunity to get this information as part of a six-session MidWeek class in the comfortable setting of our church. The class, entitled "Basics of Personal Finance and Estate Planning," will focus on issues surrounding financial responsibility for today’s Christian family.

The last two sessions, November 7 and 14, are for those planning their family's affairs. Some of the topics that will be covered include: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, the death tax, and estate planning challenges. Local attorneys with expertise in these fields will conduct the sessions.

Laurence Towner is a counselor with Sage Hill Counseling in Memphis and is a fifth generation member of Second. She received support from the Foundation to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, where she received her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling in 2015.

As a graduate student, she began her practicum and internship work with Windhaven House, a living facility for women struggling with substance abuse and addiction. She later joined their counseling team, which included individual counseling as well as an Intensive Outpatient Program. She became very familiar with the 12 steps of recovery, as well as the freedom that can be found within the binds of addiction.

Hear, in Laurence’s words, about her seminary experience and what it prepared her for.

Many grants were made during this last fiscal year, making it the highest year in the 20-year history of the Foundation in terms of funds granted! 

Between undesignated funds, designated funds, and donor advised funds, more than $2 million was distributed to mission efforts in our city, country, and around the world.  

Questions about the Foundation?
Contact vicki.simmons@2pc.org
or visit the 2PC Foundation online

Foundation Newsletter, May 2018

Meredith Fox Fund Benefits a 2PC Family 

Kamba Samuel, a senior who will graduate later this month, and his younger brother, Asu Banga, a tenth grader, both graduates of Binghampton Christian Academy (BCA), are experiencing the joy of a top-tier Christian education at Evangelical Christian School courtesy of the Meredith Ashley Fox Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Established by the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation in December 2009 through an initial planned gift of $100,000 by Antoinette and John Good, the Meredith Fox Scholarship Fund is in memory of Meredith Fox, who attended ECS as a freshman.  Meredith is the daughter of Roy and Terri Fox and sister of Roy and Margaux Fox, all Second members. Since the Meredith Fox Fund was established in 2009, approximately 100 families have given more than $169,000 to the Fund. At this time, the Fund’s growth is sufficient to allow two BCA graduates to attend ECS at the same time. A goal is to have one BCA student in every grade of the high school level.

Kamba Samuel, son of long-time second member Flora Banga, entered ECS with the support of the Meredith Fox Scholarship as a ninth grader in 2014. While at ECS, Kamba has played football all four years. He has maintained a solid grade point average as a student-athlete. According to Kamba, through football he has made great Christian friendships that will last a lifetime. Kamba has had several knee injuries playing football.  Reflecting on his injuries, Kamba says “there are times when you are down, but I have learned you can’t give up.”

When asked how ECS has prepared him for college, Kamba responded: “I know when I go to college, not everyone will believe like I do or have the same values. My ECS education, particularly my senior Bible class with Mr. Brink, has really caused me to think about what I believe. It is not just a Sunday morning thing; bringing Christ and my faith into my daily life is important. I want to practice Christian apologetics when I get to college.”

Kamba has been accepted to a number of colleges including Mississippi State, University of Memphis, Ole Miss, CBU, Union University, and UT Chattanooga. He worked on scholarship and financial aid applications, which were important in his ultimate decision to attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He will take his first year of classes through UTK’s bridge program administered through Pellissippi Community College, while otherwise living on the UTK campus and becoming involved in campus life. Kamba knows that college will be hard, but he says his ECS education has prepared him well for the challenge, both academically and from a Christian worldview perspective.

Asu Banga, Kamba’s younger brother and Flora’s middle child, is the other recipient of the Meredith Fox Scholarship. A sophomore at ECS, Asu played basketball and was a soccer manager as a freshman and again this year.  Asu would like to play football in his junior year.  When asked about his basketball experience, Asu says, “Basketball has helped me make friends and has motivated me to try to keep my grades up.” Asu also likes how the Christian faith is an important part of every subject, and that has taught him to care more about his faith. Asu also enjoys being called “little Kamba” on campus, because Kamba has been a good role model for him.

The Meredith Fox Scholarship Fund is an example of the Foundation’s impact within our city. Kamba Samuel, when asked what the scholarship has meant to him, stated “I would never have had the opportunity to attend ECS without the scholarship. My parents haven’t had to worry about my brother and me getting a good education. The scholarship has been a real blessing to our family.”

20th Anniversary Dinner Highlights

On April 6, more than 275 individuals gathered to be informed on the extent of the ministry impact that our God has clearly enabled through the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation during its first 20 years and to give Him the praise for His mighty works. God provided the vision for the Foundation and moved among this congregation to carry out the vision. Without either the vision or the response, the ministry impact would not exist.

The evening began with remarks and an invocation by Carson Weitnauer, a former seminarian supported by the Foundation to attend Gordon Conwell who now works for Ravi Zacharius International Ministries. Chairman Rick Moore provided a 20-Year Review. He and Vicki Simmons, Foundation Executive Director, recognized Monte Weaver for his 22 years of service to the Foundation (see below).  A video was also presented that highlights the works accomplished through various ministry partners.

Dr. J. Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, spoke on Generosity for God’s Global Glory.

George Robertson introduced Dr. Duncan and also closed out the evening event. His comments regarding the Foundation focused on the fact that with well over $25,000,000 granted to date, this endeavor of making the Gospel visible through the Foundation is one that no one among us and apart from each other could do on such a scale.

Monte Weaver – Thank You!

Monte Weaver has provided 22 years of service to our church and our Lord in what we now call a successful enterprise — The Second Presbyterian Church Foundation. He has done it all. He helped envision it, shape it, develop it, and grow it, always listening to and working collaboratively with others. He has challenged those around him to always think strategically no matter the topic and to always keep true to the missional plumb line.

His ready response when explaining the passion he exhibits for the spread of the Gospel is what the Lord has done in his life. He is an inspiration for service solely motivated by the joy for the Lord.

The Foundation Board adopted a resolution that was presented to him by Chairman Rick Moore at the 20-year celebration event. The photograph above was taken at the event and includes (l to r) current Chairman Rick Moore, Senior Pastor George Robertson, and former Chairmen Monte Weaver and Smoky Russell.

CGA Payout Rates To Go Up

There is good news regarding rates for Charitable Gift Annuities. The American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) has just announced that new suggested maximum rate schedules will be effective July 1, 2018.

The Foundation uses the ACGA rates when it issues charitable gift annuities. The ACGA provides actuarially sound suggested maximum CGA rates that balance the dual objectives of an attractive payment stream for the annuitant and a good gift for the charity.  

The ACGA has been promoting responsible philanthropy since 1927 and has a long and distinguished record in this area. It is recognized by charities, donors, state insurance departments, and the IRS as serving the best interests of all parties. 

The rates will be rising by 0.30% to 0.50% for those ages where most annuity contracts are issued. The new rate schedules are to be published by ACGA in mid- May. Be on the lookout for specific information or email Vicki Simmons.

Questions about the Foundation?
Contact vicki.simmons@2pc.org
or visit the 2PC Foundation online

Foundation Newsletter, February 2018

The evening of Friday, April 6th has been set aside to celebrate, learn more about the impact of the Foundation, and be encouraged by guest speaker Dr. J. Ligon Duncan, III, Chancellor, CEO and Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Duncan may be remembered as the key worship leader some years ago at the community-wide reformation service held at Second.

A native of South Carolina, Dr. Duncan received his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and supplied churches in Britain. In addition to serving on the faculty of RTS, his pastoral ministry for over three decades and four congregations includes that of Senior Pastor at historic First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi. He became Chancellor/CEO of RTS in 2013. He has authored or contributed to 35 books, is active in the Presbyterian Church of America, and has frequently addressed audiences here and abroad. Learn more about Dr. Duncan.

Make plans to attend this free dinner event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Make your reservations online (one registration is required for each person attending).

New Fund Provides Scholarships for Visible Music College Students

The Foundation has established the Visible Music College Scholarship Fund to provide financial scholarships for needy and deserving students who are accepted for enrollment at Visible Music College. 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.

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 needy and deserving students from the Memphis area or needy 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.

Those who would like to make a donation to The Visible Music College Fund through the Foundation can call Vicki Simmons at (901) 507-7898 or send her an email.

Gifting Appreciated Stock Can Benefit Donors and the Foundation

The U.S. stock markets are at all-time highs. The new tax law has retained the special tax benefits regarding the gifting of securities. One of the advantages of owning stocks, mutual funds or other securities is that they can work for you in ways you may not have considered. When you make a gift of an appreciated stock to a qualified charity such as the Foundation, you can benefit in several ways.

• Donors can receive an income tax deduction for the full current market value of the transferred stock.

• Donors can avoid capital gains tax regardless of how much the stock has appreciated.

• Donors can avoid capital gains tax regardless of whether deductions are itemized.

• Gifts of appreciated securities can raise itemized deductions above the standard deduction and this allows donors to better utilize other deductible expenses.

• The deduction for gifts of appreciated securities can shelter taxable income up to 30% of adjusted gross income, with excess deductions available for use for up to five years.

If you own stock that has grown in value, you wish to sell, and you are looking for a way to avoid owing capital gains tax, consider making a gift of your stock to help further the Foundation’s mission. If you own stock that has decreased in value and you desire to sell, consider making a gift of the sales proceeds, as you may be able to combine the loss and the charitable gift to have deductions that are more than its current market value. Your gift will have an impact on the Foundation’s ability to make grants.

Many donors make such gifts as the end of the year nears in order to realize their tax benefits during that current year. A discussion with your financial advisor and your tax professional is always encouraged before making this type of gift. For assistance in making a stock transfer, contact Debi Erickson at (901) 454-0034, ext. 186, or contact her at debi.erickson@2pc.org. 

Questions about the Foundation?
Contact vicki.simmons@2pc.org
or visit the 2PC Foundation online

Foundation Newsletter, November 2017

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.

Foundation Newsletter, August 2017

Foundation Celebrates 20th Year

May 19, 2018 will mark 20 years since the formation of the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation!

As a part of the acknowledgement throughout the 20th year, a monthly event, called FUNdation Fridays, highlights congregational passion toward the missional efforts of the ministry partners of our church and provides a thank you opportunity from the Foundation in recognition of our generous and charitable congregation.

The contest is held on the second Friday of each month through the Online Messenger. $2,000 is granted each month to one Session-approved charity of the winner’s choice. The July and August segments have focused on the organizational facts and where the money goes when granted. Read more about the details of this unique and enterprising endeavor.

On Friday, April 6, 2018 a celebratory dinner event will be held. Dr. J. Ligon Duncan, Chancellor, CEO and Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, will be the featured speaker.

On the first Friday of every month, an article in the Online Messenger appears called Living Out Our Legacy. Each month it highlights one aspect of the Foundation. This year the emphasis is on the stories and impact of former seminary students and is entitled Sounding Forth. The support of seminarians has been a core ministry for the Foundation during its 20 years.

Willson Fund Reaches $1 Million Mark!

Through the generous contributions of many of our members and others as well as through a matching offer provided by the Foundation and coupled with early earnings,the Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund now stands at $1,049,000. In addition, the Foundation has been notified of additional gifts that are deferred in nature.

Over 280 families have expressed their gratitude for the faithful ministry of Allison and Sandy Willson to our church by supporting the Willson Fund held in the Foundation.

The Board of the Foundation is appreciative of the support provided for this fund which, in addition to serving as a long-term recognition of the Willsons and their contributions to the welfare of our church, city, and indeed the world, will also provide dedicated financial support for church planting efforts at home and around the world that are strategic, missional, and reformed in character.

Thank you, Congregation!

The Willson Fund may receive gifts at any time. Contact Vicki Simmons at (901) 507-7898 or vicki.simmons@2pc.org to discuss additional ways to participate.

New Fund Provides Access to Christian Education

Second Presbyterian Church birthed Presbyterian Day School in 1949. The founding of PDS was an incredibly 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.

In an effort to reflect God’s Kingdom and the city of Memphis, PDS is also 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.

“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 is expanding the program this fall. The Foundation recently established the Presbyterian Day School Young Scholars Fund. 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, the Board approved partial support for one Young Scholar beginning the fall of 2017 and also established this 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.

Howard Graham is Chairman of the PDS Board and a member of Second. He said, “I know I speak for all of PDS when I say we are truly grateful that the 2PC Foundation is partnering with us to help fund scholarships for boys of diverse backgrounds from around our city allowing us to better fulfill our mission. We are particularly encouraged by the establishment of this fund with seed money and are hopeful that it in turn will be a catalyst for action for those desiring to support this PDS ministry through the Foundation. For members of Second who want to support both organizations this makes a lot of sense.”

Those who would like to make a donation to The PDS Young Scholars Fund through the Foundation can contact Vicki Simmons at 507-7898 or vicki.simmons@2pc.org.

Questions about the Foundation?
Contact vicki.simmons@2pc.org
or visit the 2PC Foundation online

Foundation Newsletter, May 2017

Congregation Continues Support for Willson Fund

The strong level of support for the Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund continues. With gifts continuing to come in, the total at the end of April stands at $940,849. The number of those participating in the fund is over 250. 

While the fund is a permanent one held within the Foundation and thus gifts may be received at any time in the future, please be aware that a dollar for dollar match will continue to be made by the Foundation on cumulative gifts up to $500,000 until June 30, 2017. 

Ron and Sarah Sadlow have made countless contributions to the life of Second Presbyterian Church over many years. In addition, Ron has served the Foundation from the very early days of its existence. He has:

• Served as a resource on all matters related to World Missions

• Understood the vision and the role of the Foundation in complementing the ongoing work of all of the church’s mission oriented ministries

• Engaged the Foundation in new missional areas of ministry

• Vetted many proposals for appropriateness of receiving Foundation support

• Served on the Grants Committee of the Foundation

• Provided good guidance to the Board through devotional messages and at times represented the senior pastor

As a demonstration of the deep appreciation to Ron and his joyful service, the Board at its most recent meeting, made a grant to the Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund in the amount of $50,000 to honor Ron and Sarah. You can also honor Ron and Sarah in this way.

Thank you Ron and Sarah for your faithful service!

Below is Ron’s devotional at the most recent meeting of the Foundation Board.

Millstone or On Mission?

By: Ron Sadlow

The missional mandate of the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation protects it from being an institutional millstone.

Too many institutions that have an endowment lose their gospel roots. Universities, and even churches, denominations, and well meaning para-church ministries that grew out of biblical and gospel-centered concerns, found that long after their original calling was lost, their endowments kept their institutions going. 

The Second Presbyterian Church Foundation is designed to be different. It does not exist to keep Second Presbyterian Church supported. It doesn’t underwrite the church’s operating budget.  Its stated purpose is missional, and for that reason it will always be biblical, because the Bible is essentially a book about missions.

Consider the major outline of the events of the Bible and the history of the world. God creates man and says “multiply and have dominion." Man becomes a sinner. By Genesis 10, the whole earth seeks to be its own god as it builds a tower into the heavens. So God confuses the people’s languages and they are dispersed over the face of the earth (Gen. 11). 

What’s the very next thing God does? In Genesis 12 he calls the first missionary, Abram, and tells him that he will be part of God’s special family, and through his great family and nation, all the families of the earth will be blessed. He was blessed to be a blessing. There are many hints and reminders in the Old Testament that his offspring, the nation Israel, is to reflect God’s glory and make his name known over all the earth (cf. Ps. 67).

When Jesus is born it is Simon who takes the baby Jesus in his arms in the temple and says he is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Israel." When Jesus begins his public ministry, though he proclaims his mission to Jews in the synagogue (Luke 4), he immediately challenges his audience by referencing God’s grace to gentiles in the Old Testament (Naaman, and the widow of Zarephath). And his ministry over the next three years includes outreach to Samaritans, Romans, and other “Gentiles."

He then prepares his disciples to continue his ministry of gathering people from the ends of the earth into his eternal kingdom. After the resurrection He is very clear about their mission. “As the father has sent me, so send I you” (John 20:21). “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19). And finally before ascending: “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Before his resurrection the disciples had wanted to know the timeline of history and asked, “What will be the sign of your coming [again] and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Mt. 24:3,14).

The book of Acts, traces the missionary movement of the gospel from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, to Samaria, the Roman Empire, and ends with Paul’s desire to take the gospel to those who have never heard; that is, to the ends of the earth, which mission continues until this day. 

The Bible closes with the Apostle John given a vision of the end of history in the book of Revelation. And there we see the call given to Abraham reaching consummation when John says “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, …crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'” (Rev 7:9-10). The mission is complete.

The Bible is a book of missions. The commission of the Church is to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. That is where the resources of the 2PC Foundation are committed to being used and why they will be forever deeply biblical, supporting, both in Memphis and around the world, those who proclaim the Gospel and seek to make disciples of all nations.

Questions about the Foundation?
Contact vicki.simmons@2pc.org
or visit the 2PC Foundation online

Foundation Newsletter, February 2017

 Congregation Shows Gratitude

What a joy it was to announce the strong level of support for the Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund by an appreciative congregation at the celebratory event on Sandy’s last Sunday, February 5.

The congregation acted mightily with gifts of all sizes to tangibly demonstrate both their love for the Willsons and with their intention for this ministry to permanently take wing.

Gifts to the Allison and Sandy Willson Fund total over $850,000 as of this date.

While the fund is a permanent one held within the Foundation and thus gifts may be received at any time in the future, please be aware that a dollar for dollar match will continue to be made by the Foundation on cumulative gifts up to $500,000 until June 30, 2017.

Donate Here

More Blessed to Give

At a recent event, Sandy Willson was honored by current and former members of the Board of Directors for his devoted service, strategic leadership, and encouragement to the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation over its 18-year life.  At this celebratory event, he gave a devotion and encouragement for the continued faithful work in the stewarding of God’s provisional resources.

His devotional focused primarily on Acts 20 where Paul, prior to his leaving for Jerusalem, asked the elders of Ephesus to meet with him so that he might offer a final encouragement before leaving them for good. Paul’s final charge is found in verse 35. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Sandy shared a number of reasons why he believes it is more blessed to give than to receive and why it is an important work not only for our Foundation’s directors and our church’s deacons and stewardship committee but also for the encouragement of our members to be thinking about every financial resource they have or will have, how it is to be managed, and how it is to be given.

• When we give, we have the satisfaction of helping other people. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." It is wise to care for the poor and the lost and a blessing to be able to do so.
  

• When we give, we join in a community of givers. When we belong to a community of generous people, we are inevitably blessed by such a community and are amazed and blessed by the type of people that we get to spend our lives alongside.
  

• When we give, we experience provision from the Lord. In II Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul tells us that when we give, “God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” We are blessed that we cannot out give the Lord.
  

• When we give, we will be rewarded in the last day. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” This is not to say that we are earning our way to heaven, for such is impossible. Through Christ’s work we have been raised to a high place where our Father also uses our giving as an additional reason to lavish good things upon us.
  

• Lastly, and maybe most importantly, it is more blessed to give than to receive because this is what Jesus did. When we seek to give generously and sacrificially, we are identifying with Christ and enjoying his intimate fellowship within us. II Corinthians 8:9 says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."

It is Sandy’s prayer for the Foundation and for the Church that we give generously and in light of the truth that our giving is directly representative and reflective of Christ’s provisional and sacrificial generosity to us.

Board Honors Sandy Willson

As part of celebrating the gift of Sandy's service to the Foundation, the leadership gives thanks and offers praise to our gracious and loving Heavenly Father.

Read the Resolution

Foundation Newsletter, November 2016

MATCHING FUNDS NOW AVAILABLE

Stretch Your Gift!

Interested in making a gift to the Willson Church Planting Fund? Whether your passion is for church planting or you just want to honor the Willsons or both, there is news you should know. The Foundation will provide from its Undesignated Fund up to $500,000 as matching funds for cumulative gifts given to the Willson Fund by June 30, 2017.

The purpose of this newly established fund is to provide financial support for church planting efforts at home and around the world that are strategic, missional, and reformed in character.

It has been established out of gratitude for the faithful ministry of the Willsons to our church and reflects their passion for the particular ministry of church planting.

You may contribute now or discuss ways in which you can participate by contacting Vicki Simmons at (901) 507-7898 or vicki.simmons@2pc.org.

The Strategic Nature of the Allison & Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund

By Ron Sadlow

It is a fitting tribute to Allison and Sandy Willson and a great worship of God, to grow this fund. Among all his good works on earth, God is biased toward the church, whom He calls his bride. In Matthew 16 Jesus told the disciples, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Consider these 4 questions:

Who will build the Church?
Jesus will.  In Revelation 5 when the question is asked “Who is worthy to open the scroll of eternity?” the song the heavenly host sang was “Worthy are you (Jesus) to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth." Jesus will build his church.

Of what is the Church made?
It is not primarily buildings, but people worshipping together wherever they can. The church in Philippi began with a business lady-Lydia of the purple cloth; a slave girl who lost the power of divination; and a civic employee-a jailer and his family. In the same way He is redeeming people from every tribe, language, people and nation today. 

Whose Church?
And I will build “MY” church.  God’s plan has people from around the world chosen to be part of his church.  When Paul considered leaving Corinth God told him, “Don’t be afraid, I have many people in this city." Paul just had to be faithful to evangelize them.  Ephesians 1:4 says “God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world." His gracious election means nothing will stop Him from gathering his sheep.

What will He build?

He didn’t say “hospitals, universities, seminaries, para-church ministries, etc”, but “I will build my CHURCH.” Other things are good, and complementary, but Christ is building first and foremost his bride, the church.

Flourishing Planting History

In founding the Willson Church Planting Fund, the 2PC Foundation is not only honoring Sandy and Allison, but enhancing a commitment that has been part of its character since its inception.  Consider the contribution to church planting through the grants that have been made beginning in 2001:

Domestically the Foundation has been a significant partner in:

• St. Patrick Church

• Downtown Church

• Esperanza

Through the Shalom project they have laid the foundation for future church plants and are ready to help start two more churches in under-served parts of our city along with our Home Missions Ministry. 

Additionally their contribution has allowed our Home Missions Committee to be strategic partners in our daughter “All Saints Church” here in the city, as well as supporting at least 10 other church plants through our denomination, our missionaries, and our friends.

Internationally they have made it possible for the World Missions Committee to have funds available to help plant churches in Germany, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, and other locations.  But the Foundation has also directly initiated church plants around the world by giving grants to: 

• Ukraine – Several churches from Ukraine to Vladivostok (including Armenia, Novorosiysk, Tatars, Uzbek’s and others) have been planted and nurtured and church planters have been trained.

• AWEMA – Arab World Evangelical Ministers Association have planted numerous churches in multiple Middle East countries.

• Cambodia – World Relief had planted about 400 house churches when the Foundation partnered with them in 2003. The count is over 1,000 now.

• Kacchhwa Ministries India - KTM counts thousands of house churches planted in its network, and thousands of church planters trained for KTM and UPMission.

• China Partnership - Several thousand Chinese pastors have been trained to plant churches. We will find out the number of church plants some day.

Redeemer City to City International Church Planter Training - Many new churches have been indirectly planted.

Through directed gifts they have been part of planting churches in major cities around the world including:

• Buenos Aires

• Athens

• Dubai

• Jakarta

• Prague

• Pretoria, South Africa

• Rome

• Rotterdam, and through them other Multi-national church plants in Europe

Second Presbyterian and the 2PC Foundation are a blessed part of the means that God is using to “Build His Church.”

Foundation Newsletter, August 2016

Timeless and Timely

By: Ron Sadlow

You can’t read the Bible without hearing the call to invest your life and resources in something that will outlast this life. Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20) and Paul and James talked about the crown that awaits those who persevere (II Timothy 4:8 and James 1:12). 

What are those things we are to invest in that have eternal significance? The Bible says there are only two things from this life that will outlast us:

The Word of God—“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35)

The lives of people—“These (those on Christ’s left) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:46)

It is therefore good to ask “What did I invest in?” when we look back on our lives.

Paul gave what seems like an uneventful “epitaph” about King David’s life in his first missionary sermon.  In Acts 13 he said, “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers." But it is really quite profound and poignant, for David invested in the timeless and the timely. “David served God”—that is, he understood God’s eternal purposes and that God’s glory was the most important service of his life. “In his own generation”—David did what was needed in his day and committed his resources to advance God’s Kingdom.

I am grateful that Second Presbyterian has a Foundation that not only blesses the work of advancing God’s Kingdom in my day, but will continue doing so indefinitely. Sarah and I are delighted to have planned to make that part of our investment.

College Bound

This month, 73 students who participated in the Neighborhood Christian Center’s College and Career Program (CAPS) are headed off to 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 gift of donors who had the passion to see that these and other students receive financial support to assist in attaining this important step in their lives. Over three academic years, 167 students have been given this opportunity with support of $222,290 in college scholarships.

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

This program is offered to students in 10th-12th grade. 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.

In order to educate and empower young people in the underprivileged community 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, NCC works to engage high school-aged students to participate in various programs and events that promote educational attainment and empower them to develop and reach their educational and life goals and to effect long-term change in the lives of the students.

This year, as part of the CAPS program, NCC piloted a new initiative in partnership with Mid-South Community College (MSCC) to provide the opportunity for high school students to gain college credit during the summer. Thirty-three 10th-12th grade students enrolled in CAPS attended college courses at MSCC during the summer. In addition to providing the tuition for each student, NCC supported them with their homework, helped them develop study skills, and mentored them throughout the process, all while they earned college credits that can be utilized towards traditional college degrees and/or technical certifications. The results from this initial summer include the fact that 87% of attendees earned between three and six college credits and with a grade point average of 3.25.

Allison & Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund

The purpose of this newly established fund is to provide financial support for church planting efforts at home and around the world that are strategic, missional, and Reformed in character.

It has been established out of gratitude for the faithful ministry of the Willsons to our church and reflects their passion for the particular ministry of church planting.

You may contribute now or discuss ways in which you can participate by contacting Vicki Simmons at (901) 507-7898 or by sending her an email.