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GuideStone Protection benefits provide unexpected blessing in midst of pain CES >> by O IHayhurst VRoy
GUIDESTONE DIRECTOR OF DENOMINATIONAL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Brandon and Amanda Leslie were high school sweethearts. “We learned to drive together, we went to high school together, we went to college and were each other’s biggest supporter throughout life,” Amanda Leslie recalled. “We married in 2000 when I was 19, and he was 20.” Twenty-one years later, one would expect the Leslies to be busy keeping up with their sons— ages 17 and 13—planning on being empty-nesters in the next few years or even dreaming of retirement. The Lord had other plans. Brandon, 41, a bivocational pastor in Oklahoma, died unexpectedly last summer. Looking back on Brandon’s ministry, Amanda said it was easy to see how the Lord used both his love of teaching and his heart for the Gospel. “We had a friend who was a pastor, and he asked Brandon to take on his youth ministry bi-vocationally,” she said. “It was a wonderful fit.” Most recently, Brandon had served six years as the bivocational pastor of St. Louis, First, located about an hour’s drive southeast of Oklahoma City between Ada and Shawnee. Amanda said the church had been an incredible blessing to the family. He loved the people, and the church family loved the Leslies. “Everyone felt like Brandon was their best friend,” she recalled. “His primary goal was to be God’s hands and feet.” Soon, Amanda would find someone else being the hands and feet in return. Losing a husband and father is a terrible blow; not only is the family dealing with the emotional loss,
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A N N UA L but there are also financial implicaINFO G N I T E E M tions that have to be faced sooner
the GuideStone benefits were an unexpected blessing. rather than later—and that can “The care is a little different,” she feel overwhelming. said. “The people that work at GuideBut St. Louis, First had cared Stone are people of faith and just for the Leslies in a way that understand things differently.” was about to make a big fiWhile working through the loss nancial difference. of her husband and best friend, she Mark Dance, director of passaid she is comforted by the outtoral development for Oklapouring of love she has received homa Baptists, reached out from the church, from Oklahoto Amanda in the days followma Baptists and GuideStone. >> PHOTO: PROVIDED ing her husband’s death to walk Hance Dilbeck, president-elect Brandon and Amanda Leslie and their two alongside the family in their of GuideStone and the immediate boys. GuideStone provided an unexpected blessing to Amanda after Brandon’s passing. hour of need. One of the pieces past executive director-treasurer of news he delivered was, thanks of Oklahoma Baptists, said stories to the church’s decision to conlike the Leslies are all too common. tribute regularly to a retirement plan for Brandon “Last year, GuideStone paid out $2.6 million to surLeslie, a survivor protection benefit made available viving spouses and children through the survivor probetween Oklahoma Baptists and GuideStone would tection benefits in the Church Retirement Plan,” he be available. said. “Every pastor needs to stop and consider how he Eligible church staff members who participate in would provide for his wife and children should somethe Church Retirement Plan—GuideStone’s retire- thing happen to him, regardless of age or health. While ment plan for Southern Baptist churches—are eligi- the protection benefits are no substitute for other ble for this survivor protection benefit. The benefit planning, they can be a significant help during a time is a joint effort between Southern Baptist state con- of shock at the loss of a beloved husband and father.” ventions and GuideStone. Amanda Leslie said that she hopes that other minisThat benefit meant the world to Amanda. ters—especially bivocational pastors like Brandon — “It is wonderful to see God’s provision for us,” she will heed the wisdom of the St. Louis, First family and said. “It has allowed me to pay off my house and set some of their income aside through GuideStone. pay the taxes in full for the next six years, which is “They need to understand the resources availwhen my youngest will graduate from high school. able for the family’s benefit,” she said. “The people We’ll be able to stay here until then. It provides a at GuideStone have been such a resource that’s peace of mind and stability for us as we adjust to been invaluable.” our new reality.” For more information on the Church Retirement Brandon Leslie had a secular job as well that Plan for Southern Baptist churches, visit GuideStone. provided some benefits, Amanda Leslie said, but org/Updates/SBC-Church-Benefits.
January 13, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture
