Gospel Ministry

WatersEdge Endowment Distribution tops $8.5 million SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENMISSIONS & MINISTRY T

>> by Anna Dillinger

WATERSEDGE CONTENT CREATOR

In the final week of 2020, WatersEdge staff members poured their energy into finalizing one of the organization’s most anticipated projects of the year: the Endowment Distribution. Their efforts resulted in more than $8.5 million being sent out to support ministries in Oklahoma and across the United States. Com-

KAREN WILLOUGHBY | JAN 6

that concept in 2021.LifeWay finalizes Ridgecrest sale finalized the sale of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer • January 14—Singing Churchmen Day Retreat

MICHAEL FOUST | DEC 30

Even if 2020 was the worst year bined with smaller quarterly endowment distributions made throughout the year, WatersEdge distributed a total of $13.7 million in endowed funds in 2020, surpassing 2019’s distribution by $1.3 million.

The funds were sent to 353 unique beneficiaries, the vast majority of which are Southern Baptist ministries that focus on changing lives with the Gospel. They include churches, seminaries, Christian universities, children’s homes, missions organizations and more. But none of this would be possible without the generosity of ministry-minded givers.

Despite COVID-related economic turmoil, these endowments continue to distribute faithfully, thanks to the donors who created and support them. Many ministries rely on endowments to sustain fundraising efforts or to weather temporary dips in annual charitable giving. Endowment is a wise financial decision for any ministry, because it allows givers to invest donations for long-term growth and distributes payments to charitable causes annually. The principal grows over time, so NEW ONLINE WEB-EXCLUSIVE CONTENT gifts multiply over time.

“An endowment is an exceptional option for a giver who wishes to leave a legacy and not just a one-time gift,” said David Depuy, WatersEdge chief investment officer. “An endowment will last much longer than a lifetime and provide ever-in-PUBLICATION INFO

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creasing distributions for ministry every year until Jesus’ return.”

Anyone—not just the original giver—can contribute to an existing endowment, further growing the principal and ultimately increasing its distribuVOICES tion. An endowment also offers donors flexibility since they can be funded with cash, stocks and bonds, real estate and privately-held investments.

Here’s an example of how endowment works:

Jim Smith places $50,000 into an endowment for his church and names it after his grandmother: “The Loretta Smith Legacy Fund.” In its first year, the endowed gift would distribute $2,250 to Jim’s church. While that amount may seem small compared to the size of the initial gift, time quickly multiplies the impact. In 25 years, the $50,000 endowment will grow to more than double its annual distribution, from $2,250 to $4,570. Cumulative annual distributions over that 25-year period would total $82,000— PEOPLE & CHURCH NEWS more than $30,000 above the original $50,000 gift. The yearly distributions continue indefinitely. To learn more about multiplying your charitable giving through endowment, visit WatersEdgeServices.org/endowment. You can also start a conversation NEWS & CULTURE with a WatersEdge giving professional at 800/949-

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EVENTS

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Oklahoma Baptists’ leaders continue to monitor information about the continued impact of COVID-19 in Oklahoma. After careful consideration, the decision has been made to cancel, and in some cases move to a virtual event format, all Oklahoma Baptists sponsored events of 50 people or more in the months of January and February 2021.

The following January events are cancelled:

• January 21—January Update

• January 21—Singing ChurchWomen Day Retreat

• January 25-26—Advance Conference

January event moved to virtual/online only:

• January 17-18—Youth Evangelism Conference

FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS

Ponca City, First focuses on its neighbors Being a good neighbor is a Jesusdirected way of life, says Michael Taylor, citing Luke 10.PUBLICATION INFO Taylor, pastor of Ponca City, First, is leading his church to expand CAROL PIPES | JAN 4 LifeWay Christian Resources has EVENTS Camps to the Ridgecrest Foundation, a group dedicated to using the property as a Christian camp and conference center.

The 10 best family-friendly movies of 2020 9988 or give@WatersEdgeServices.org.

in recent history, it still produced dozens of inspiring and entertaining movies families can enjoy— including documentaries, dramas and comedies.

PUBLICATION INFO

The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 731126506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma EVENTS City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 41,811. Individual subscriptions are available upon request. When writing for a change of address or a subscription renewal, please include a copy of your mailing label. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Baptist Messenger, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506.

While the Baptist Messenger attempts to provide advertisers of integrity who furnish quality products, it is recommended that buyers be cautious, do research and get references to any advertiser with which they are not familiar. Publication of an advertisement in the Baptist Messenger does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or businesses. January 14, 2021 • Volume 110, Number 1.

Member, Baptist Press News, Christian Newspaper Association, Evangelical Press Association, Oklahoma Press Association.

MESSENGER STAFF

>> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com >> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Forbes | Staff Writer cforbes@oklahomabaptists.org >> Tori Hamilton | Art Director thamilton@baptistmessenger.com

Encourage: Tithing provides perspective

Hance Dilbeck

Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

The year 2021 would be a great opportunity to begin tithing.

This might seem odd to emphasize in the midst of a pandemic that has brought a great deal of uncertainty and insecurity to our lives. Let me tell you why I think tithing would help bring order and perspective to this very chaotic season of your life.

Tithing is giving 10 percent of your income to the Lord through your local church. It is best to view the tithe as not so much a law to obey as a spiritual discipline to embrace. The practice of tithing, week by week, month by month, year by year, creates a rhythm of reminder that helps form us as the people of God.

Tithing helps me remember.

I am a child of the Father. My heavenly Father cares for me. He provides for all my needs, and I trust Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

As 2021 arrived, rejoicing around the world could be heard. With 2020 in the rearview mirror, many anticipated that our long national nightmare is finally over.

Whereas 2020 was a year which saw an unusual amount of suffering, disease and loss, this year certainly is likely to be better in many ways. At the same time, Christians know that life is always full of trouble, no matter what the calendar says.

But, more than that, we know there is always hope. Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the Him. Giving 10 percent is an act of faith. We don’t tithe because we have some left over; we give what we could use. The tithe is a spiritual discipline that helps me live in humble, joyful dependence on my Father. Remember, Jesus said, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:31-33). If you don’t truly believe that God Almighty is your Father who provides, you will have a hard time tithing.

I am a member of the Body. Paul describes giving money as fellowship, a sharing. Tithing will tie your heart to the local church. Our day is marked by church attenders, church shoppers and church consumers who try to use what the church offers for their own benefit. The problem is, church doesn’t work that way. If you want your church to pay real dividends in your life, you must invest in it. If you are just “attending” a church, there will never be much of a tie that binds. But to actually give 10 percent of your money to that church—wow! You are world” (John 16:33). Another Bible translation puts it this way: “take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Whether 2021 ends up being the best year, an average year or one that again is full of great personal and societal struggles, we can take heart because of Jesus.

Sadly, though, there are many people right now who are not taking heart; they are currently losing heart. We hear about it among health care workers, essential personnel, even people in ministry.

These dear people are growing discouraged and simply giving up. Giving up on life; giving up on people around them; perhaps even sometimes giving up on God’s call for their lives.

In his brilliant work, “The Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis has wisdom for this situation. In that fictional work, Lewis depicts a man who is being tempted and tried by demons, “Screwtape” and “Wormwood.” Through what Lewis called “teaching in reverse,” we see into the mind of the enemy and how he and his minions work against Christians.

One week, he tempts the man to skip church and all in! Ask our Lord to give you such love, passion and devotion for your church that tithing is a great joy. Remember, your heart follows your treasure.

I am a manager for the Master. Tithing brings discipline to our financial lives. Giving 10 percent forces us to be mindful of how we are spending the other 90 percent. The 10 percent is a regular reminder that it all belongs to the Master. We are stewards of His resources. J. Oswald Sanders said, “The question is never how much of my money should I give to God, but how much of God’s money should I keep for myself.” So, tithing is a starting place for biblical stewardship.

Tithing is not a fundraising scheme; it is a disciple-making tool. Like prayer, corporate worship and Bible reading—the spiritual discipline of tithing brings a rhythm that reminds us to live as children of the Father, members of the body and managers for the Master.

How our Lord would be pleased and glorified, how you and your family would be blessed if you would embrace the spiritual discipline of the tithe in 2021. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Sword & trowel: Take heart

(2 Cor. 9:15). disassociate from believers as a ploy to weaken the man in his walk with God. In another episode, he tempts the man toward sexual sin. Another time, the demon tries to get the man to buy into the idea of “tomorrow” (I can always get to that Bible reading or prayer or good work “tomorrow,” not now, when “eternity touches the present”).

Finally, we find out from “Screwtape” that where the devil gets his biggest laugh and thrill is when Christians give up just before the moment God was sending relief. The demon says, had the man only known it, God was sending help just on the other side of the hill of adversity he was climbing.

None of us knows how 2021 will end up, for any of us individually or as a nation. Yet during these times, which try the souls of men, Christians have an opportunity to advance the Gospel through the ministry of encouragement.

Brothers and sisters, take heart! Jesus has overcome! Spread that message of hope, and then we will see what a truly happy New Year can be like.