T H E B A P T I S T F O U N D AT I O N O F O K L A H O M A
GENEROSITY Spring 2015
TH E M I N I ST R I E S O F JE SUS GUIDING THE SPIRIT WHILE HEALING THE BODY AND SOUL
MARKET REPORT Investments WOMEN HERE, IMPACT THERE International Mission Board
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
O ver the past two years, the Foundation has
continued to work toward our goal of distributing
GE NEROS IT Y Spring 2015
$25 million annually to ministries by 2025. Each year brings a new milestone that must be met in order to stay on track to achieve 25x25.
A magazine for clients and stakeholders who support The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma’s mission to promote charitable planned giving and provide financial management for the gifts that strengthen Southern Baptist ministries.
In 2014, our objective was to distribute $16.46 million. We are pleased to announce that we met and exceeded that number by
PRODUCTION
52 percent, making our 2014 charitable distributions $25.05 million.
VI Marketing & Branding | Design Layout Jayme Phillips | Editor & Writer Christian Sangree | Photographer Marcus Wehmuller | Photographer
That number comes from a variety of areas. The largest part is
Send questions/comments to: Editor, Generosity 3800 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73112 communications@bfok.org ADMINISTRATION Robert Kellogg | President & CEO Dan Allen | Chief Development Officer, Senior Vice President, Donor Services Shryln Treadwell | Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President, Beneficiary Services Jerry Vaughan | Senior Vice President, Church Services Jim Wilsie | Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Support Services
the annual distribution made from our endowment accounts at $14.4dv million, as well as distributions from planned gifts, donor advised funds and income from church funds management accounts. 2014 was a year of change for the Foundation. We invested in a research and branding project to help us refine our marketing efforts and ensure we achieve 25x25. By talking to our donors, potential donors, pastors and directors of missions across the state, we discovered that the primary reason people choose to work with us is because we enable them to give to causes they care about and share their vision for spreading the love of Christ. We are a cooperative partner in helping grow the Kingdom, and that
Generosity is published in the spring and fall by The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Recipients include approximately 10,000 clients, stakeholders and churches in Oklahoma. To request a copy or to update mailing information, please call 1.800.949.9988. “…through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” II Corinthians 9:11
commonality is something other financial management companies or banks cannot provide. Even with an ambitious undertaking like 25x25, people remain our focus. Touching individual lives through the power of Christ – that’s what drives us. The stories we tell in these pages aren’t our stories – they’re yours. We’re thankful every day for the selfless donations of Kingdom-minded individuals. Together, we are doing His work on earth.
Robert Kellogg, President & CEO
GENEROSITY
SPRING 2015 4 MINISTRY IMPACT OF THE FOUNDATION’S SERVICES TO CHURCHES
5 QUAI L S PR I NG S BAPT I ST C H U RC H
7 H A RV EY B . PLAT T
8 MA R KET REPORT
CHURCH FUNDS MA NAGEMENT
6 T RANS F ERRING VALU E S DONOR SERVICES
CHURCH BUILDING LOANS & INVESTMENT FUNDS
MINERAL LEA SING OFFERS LASTING LEGACY
1 6 WO M EN H E R E , I MPACT TH E R E INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
INVESTMENTS
1 8 FO U NDAT I ON NEWS
10 M I NI ST R I E S O F JE S US
GUIDING THE SPIRIT WHILE HEALING THE BODY AND SOUL
CHURCH BUILDING LOANS & CHURCH FUNDS MANAGEMENT
MINISTRY IMPACT OF THE FOUNDATION’S SERVICES TO CHURCHES b y J e r r y Va u g h a n
Having primary responsibility over the Church Building Loan
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus called on us to go and make disciples
program, most of my communication with churches is on the
of all nations, and churches have used church building loans
front end of the loan process. This process includes receiving
through the Foundation to expand their facilities to help them
a loan application from a church, evaluating the application
be obedient to this command. I never take for granted the
for compliance with the Church Building Loan Policies and
awesome opportunity the Foundation has in partnering with
Guidelines, and meeting with the church to discuss the various
churches in making their vision a reality.
aspects of the loan and answer questions. The loan request is then presented to the Foundation Loan Services Committee
Another vital service provided by the Foundation that can help
for approval and, lastly, we help the church accomplish all the
churches have a ministry impact is our Church Funds Management
requirements for loan closing. This process takes anywhere from
program. On the next page, we’ve highlighted a church that has
two to four weeks.
used one of the most popular investment options, CBL Term Investments, to take advantage of above market interest rates
During this investigative process, it’s always gratifying to see the
for the church’s funds. This article shows how one church has
excitement of the people as they venture out to begin realizing
come to see the Foundation as more than just estate
the vision God has given them for the future of their church.
planning and endowment management, but as a viable choice
Very rarely do I get the opportunity to see the finished product
for churches of all sizes to have a ministry impact through the
and even rarer is the opportunity to hear how God has used the
Foundation’s Church Building Loans and Church Funds
new building, be it a family life center, expanded education space
Management programs.
or a larger fellowship hall to further the ministry of the church. If your church is interested in impacting Kingdom ministries At the heart of church building loans is the ministry impact of
through a church building loan or opening a church funds
every loan made by the Foundation. Churches approach the
management account, please contact Jerry Vaughan at
expansion process with a great deal of thought and prayer to
1.800.949.9988 ext 4269 or jvaughan@bfok.org.
discern God’s will for the future of the church. I believe these churches are responding to the call of God to have an impact
4 G E N E R O S I T Y Spring
2015
on their communities. From the church in rural Oklahoma desiring to provide a space that is made available for use by the entire community to the urban church desiring to be relevant to the many different people groups in their area, spreading the Good News is the ultimate goal.
Jerry is Senior Vice President for The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. He has been with the Foundation since 2000. He and his wife, Tricia, have two children. Lauren is a missionary with the IMB and Britt works and lives in the Los Angeles area. They attend Quail Springs Baptist Church, OKC.
CHURCH FUNDS MANAGEMENT
QUAIL SPRING S BAPTIST CHURCH Michael Stephens is the business administrator at one of the
Stephens is impressed by the rates, but most of all, he is
largest churches in Oklahoma City, Quail Springs Baptist
impressed with the communication and assistance provided by
Church. The church is well known and continues to expand
the staff. He says, “I don’t think there’s anything that we receive
its reach and ministry. Having grown up Southern Baptist,
communication and service-wise that a smaller church wouldn’t
Stephens was aware of the brotherhood and partnership
receive. Whether you’re talking $10,000 or $100,000, when
that exists between Baptist entities and churches.
you look at the investment options, service, communication and
Still, Stephens admits that he was very skeptical of the
planning that the staff can provide, it has proven to be helpful.”
Baptist Foundation when it came to investing the church’s
For all of these reasons, Quail Springs has chosen to work
money there.
through the Foundation to manage certain moneys that the church has set aside for three purposes: general fund reserves,
“I wanted to be skeptical. There is an emotional element
restricted funds and funds that are specifically related to the
there that can feel like peer pressure because of the
new worship center the church is building.
brotherhood. But to really say, ‘Is this a good deal for the church? Can they be beaten?’ With Charles Schwab, there’s
Stephens offers this advice to other church staff or finance
always market risk. With Merrill Lynch, same thing.
committee members that are considering using the Foundation
We come back to the Foundation every time for the
for investment services, ”When we think of the Foundation, we
interest and to support Baptist causes.”
often think of endowment, but the Foundation is more broadly was or assumed that it was. They’ve earned our trust. There is
Foundation is a very viable investment option for any church
substance there. You’re not being disloyal [to the brotherhood] in
of any size. Term Investments are the most popular investment
comparing, but when we’ve done the comparing and contrasting,
option for churches. This CD-like investment offers significantly
we’ve continually come back to the Foundation
above-market interest rates, and they can be structured to
for investments.”
facilitate both short-term liquidity and long-term growth. There are numerous terms ranging from one month to two years.
To learn more about Church Funds Management, contact
Current rates are available at bfok.org.
Jerry Vaughan at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4269 or jvaughan@bfok.org.
5 GENEROSITY
The Church Funds Management program through the
Spring 2015
diversified and bigger than that. It’s not what we thought it
DONOR SERVICES
TRANSFERRING VALUE S by Dan Allen
L ate spring is busy around our offices. As families start getting
lifetime of communicating and living by example. It needs to start
ready for summer vacation travel plans, they often remember they
with a core belief in the Lord as the driver of all our decisions.
still haven’t signed a will. At the Baptist Foundation, we consult with many families about their estate plans. Most of these families have
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the
three objectives they want to accomplish with their plan:
Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I
1. Protect their family in case of death or incapacitating illness.
give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your
2. Transfer property to family and favorite ministries in the most tax efficient way possible.
children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk
3. Transfer values to their children and grandchildren.
as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write
along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
The first two are the easiest to accomplish. The idea of this passage is a constant dialogue and example with A complete estate plan includes last wills & testaments, durable
our children, however old they are, that Christ is the center of our
powers of attorney, advance directives for healthcare (living wills)
lives. You don’t have to tell your children how much your estate is
and, in some cases, a revocable living trust. In most cases, these
worth if you don’t want to – but they need to know that whatever
documents will protect the family in all situations. Sometimes
it is, or will eventually be, is a direct result of trusting the Lord to
additional provisions to protect a minor child or a family member
provide for your family. Don’t let it be a secret to your kids that you
with special needs will be added to these documents to deal with
give generously to ministry now and plan to do so from your estate
those family circumstances. Naming guardians for minor children is
when you die. The contents of your will should not be a surprise to
also a key decision that the will can solve.
your family but a natural expression of what they saw lived out in front of them at home for years.
A complete estate plan can also transfer your property in a tax efficient fashion to a mixture of your favorite ministries and to the
So as summer vacation approaches, make sure to take care of
next generation. A key function of an estate plan is also to
objectives one and two. Give us a call and we will be happy to
eliminate or reduce obstacles and transfer the estate assets in
guide you through the process. As for objective number three –
an orderly fashion. The third objective – transferring values to the
you can work on that one today.
next generation – is much more difficult. If I had to pick only one of the three objectives to accomplish, I would choose to transfer my
To learn more about setting up an estate plan, contact
Christian values to family.
Dan Allen at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 2936 or dallen@bfok.org.
6 GENEROSITY
Spring 2015
Anyone who has had to settle an estate of a family member who did little or no planning knows how challenging a process that can be. It might involve court action and often some extra expense. But, untimely things do get done, and the estate is settled. Mistakes or lack of attention on transferring our values to children are much more costly to them. This process is also much more long-term than getting a complete estate plan in place. It involves a
Dan is Chief Development Officer for The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. He has been with the Foundation since 1997. He and his wife, Janna, have a teenage son, Drew. They attend First Baptist Church of Jenks.
Working with the Foundation to administer your church’s or association’s mineral assets is an easy process:
Transfer of minerals to an endowment or CFM account
HARVEY B. PLAT T MINERAL LEASING OFFERS LASTING LEGACY
Harvey B. Platt was born in July of 1904 in Holdenville, Oklahoma.
Negotiation of oil and gas lease agreements
He was one of six children born into a ranching family. Harvey had no schooling beyond high school, but as a young man, he owned a Studebaker dealership and eventually began a successful auto salvage business. He later expanded his business to service both Holdenville and Wewoka, Oklahoma. As Harvey’s business grew, he became interested in mineral leasing. His investment in oil leasing has proved substantial, and today, it finances
Timely receipt of production income and lease bonuses
continuing gifts to The Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. Harvey never married or had a child of his own, but he always showed a love for children. He was known to purchase boots for needy children in Hughes and Seminole Counties. Harvey’s love for the Children’s Home started because of the impact he saw it have on the lives of his nieces who were adopted by his sister, Pauline, from a Baptist Children’s Home in
Reporting of income and lease activity
Carmi, Illinois. As Harvey’s health started to deteriorate, he put a plan in place to care for his family and then ultimately care for the children of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. After his death in 1978, Dr. Thomas Nix, Jr., Platt’s
Spring 2015
distributing income to this deserving ministry in honor of his late uncle.
Preservation of income for future asset growth
In the last twelve years alone, more than $2.6 million has been distributed to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children from the Platt endowment. If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation’s mineral leasing services, contact Shryln Treadwell at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4246 or streadwell@bfok.org.
Distribution of income to charity
7 GENEROSITY
nephew, became the administrator of Harvey’s estate and began
INVESTMENTS
MARKET REPORT by David Depuy
The US stock markets posted very strong gains again in 2014
prices to go back up, but it could possibly be a very long time
with the S&P 500 Index positive 4.93% in the fourth quarter
before we see them over $100 per barrel again.
and up 13.69% for the year. At the end of the first quarter of 2015, the S&P 500 Index was positive 0.96%. Globally, the
Heading into the remainder of 2015, sentiment continues
markets were mostly positive in local currency terms, but were
to indicate that the US will continue its slow but steady
actually negative in US dollar terms as the US dollar index
improvement even amid current global issues of slow growth
appreciated by approximately 6.50% in the fourth quarter
and low oil prices. Though the US economy is still not yet
and over 12% for the year. The MSCI EAFE, an international
performing as many would like, it seems to be in much better
market index, ended the year negative 4.90% and the MSCI
shape than many of our global competitors as indicated by
EM, an emerging market index, lost 2.19%. However, both
the rising strength of the US dollar.
were positive at the end of the first quarter of 2015 at 4.88% and 2.25% respectively. The Barclay’s Aggregate Bond Index
The Foundation’s endowment portfolio is at its target
finished positive 1.79% for the fourth quarter bringing its year-
allocation weights with only slight deviations. The portfolio
end number to positive 5.95%, which was one of the bigger
continued to increase its diversification during the year by
surprises of the year as longer term interest rates actually fell
committing to two new private investments. The portfolio
during the year. As of this year’s first quarter, the index was
ended the year positive 4.72% net of all manager fees and
positive 1.61%.
expenses. This compared very favorably to the portfolio’s passive benchmark of 3.03%. Through the first quarter of
Beginning in the second half of last year through the end of
2015, the portfolio was positive 2.55%, outperforming its
February, much attention was given to the dramatic drop in oil
passive benchmark which was positive 1.61%. In addition,
prices which can be seen in the graph on the next page.
the risk in the portfolio as measured by standard deviation
The price of a barrel of oil fell over 53%. However, you can
continues to be less than 70% of the passive benchmark over
also see that the US dollar has experienced a dramatic
the trailing five years.
change in value by appreciating over 18% in the same period. This change in the value of the dollar has implications for the price of oil as well as for all globally traded assets, as
If you have any questions about Foundation investments,
was alluded to when talking about the global index returns
please contact David Depuy at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4222
above. The combination of these is, in part, why all of us have
or ddepuy@bfok.org.
experienced cheaper prices at the pump for the past few months.
8 G E N E R O S I T Y Spring 2015
While soft demand may be blamed for part of the price decline of oil, the majority of the blame can be attributed to the increase in supply driven by US production. The US has been experiencing some of the highest production levels ever during the past few years. The increase in supply is quickly maxing out the ability to store the excess. As these levels begin to stabilize over the next several months, we expect oil
David is the Vice President and Director of Investments for The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. He has been with the Foundation since 1996. He and his wife, Andrea, have two children, Ryan and Kassidy. They attend Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.
C RUDE OI L PR I CE VS . WS J D O L L AR IN D E X Crude Oil Price vs. WSJ Dollar Index
140 $140
$120 120
$85 $85
$100 100
$80 $80
$80 80
$75 $75
$60 60
$70 $70
$40 40
$65 $65
$20 20
$60 $60
$0 0
Jan -15 Jan-‐15
Dec -14 Dec-‐14
Nov-‐14 Nov -14
Oct -14 Oct-‐14
Sep-‐14 Sep -14
Jul -14 Jul-‐14
Aug-‐14 Aug -14
Jun-‐14 Jun -14
Apr-‐14 Apr -14
WSJ Dollar Index
May-‐14 May -14
Mar-‐14 Mar -14
Jan -14 Jan-‐14
Feb-‐14 Feb -14
Dec -13 Dec-‐13
Oct -13 Oct-‐13
Nov -13 Nov-‐13
Sep-‐13 Sep -13
Aug -13 Aug-‐13
Jul-‐13 Jul -13
Jun-‐13 Jun -13
May -13 May-‐13
Apr-‐13 Apr -13
Mar-‐13 Mar -13
Jan -13 Jan-‐13
Feb-‐13 Feb -13
Dec-‐12 Dec -12
CRUDE OIL PRICE PER BARREL Crude Oil Price per Barrel
$90 $90
WSJ Dollar Index WSJ DOLLAR INDEX
$95 $95
Crude Oil Price per Barrel
WSJ Dollar Index Crude Oil Price per Barrel *U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) as of 2/28/2015 and Wall Street Journal
ENDOWM EN T PORT FO ILO AS O F M AR C H 3 1 , 2 01 5 TRAILINGEndowment RETURNS & STANDARD DEVIATION Portfolio as of March 31, 2015 Trailing Returns & Standard Deviation
12.00% 12.00%
10.00% 10.00%
8.00% 8.00%
6.00% 6.00%
2.00% 2.00%
0.00% 0.00%
11YR YR
3 YR 3YR
55YR YR
SPENDING POLICY POOL
1 YR STDEV 1 YR STDEV
3 YR 3YRSTDEV STDEV
5 YR 5YRSTDEV STDEV
TARGET RETURN PASSIVE BENCHMARK Spending Policy Pool (net) Passive Benchmark Target Return *Passive Benchmark - 70% MSCI AC World Index (Net), 23% Barclays Aggregate Bond Index, 7% Bloomberg Commodity Index *Passive Benchmark - 70% MSCI AC World Index (Net), 23% Barclays Aggregate Bond Index, 7% Bloomberg Commodity Index Target Return actualdistributions, distributions, fees, and actual (asheadline measured CPU as of February 2015) Target Return- -Sum Sumof of actual actualactual fees, and actual inflation (as inflation measured by CPU asby of headline February 2015) STDEV - Standard Deviation, Deviation, a measurement of portfolio risk STDEV - Standard a measurement of portfolio risk
9 GENEROSITY
Spring 2015
4.00% 4.00%
Spring 2015
10 G E N E R O S I T Y
M I N I ST R IE S O F J E S US GUIDING THE SPIRIT WHILE HEALING THE BODY AND SOUL by Jayme Phillips
“I remember one Wednesday night, there was a boy. He looked terrible, he was sick, he was drugged out. He stood up to speak – I handed him the microphone, and he handed me his needle.”
This is just one of many stories Ministries of Jesus Executive
As Swyden remembers, he and a team of Henderson Hills
Director, Kim Swyden, speaks of as he explains how the
members spent close to ten weeks trying to answer this
organization began treating those in addiction recovery.
question and actualize what Jesus said and what it meant
Ministries of Jesus (MOJ) is an organization born out of the
for the ministry at Henderson Hills.
verses from Luke 4 that seek to heal the whole person – spirit, soul and body.
“If the church is a representation of Christ in the world and this [Luke 4] is what Jesus came to do, shouldn’t we
This healing is revealed through a medical clinic, a
be doing that? Christ was speaking to the whole person –
counseling center, and a recovery ministry, according to
a person made in his image – three parts - spirit, soul,
the organization’s website.
and body,” said Swyden.
Ministries of Jesus was formed 14 years ago, as the senior
Luke 4: 18-19 says:
pastor of Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Dennis Newkirk,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
was driving to preach a typical evening service.
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. And recovery of sight to the blind,
on CD and was struck by the reading of Luke 4. In
To set free those who are oppressed,
Luke 4, Jesus specifically talks about His ministry.
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
Pastor Newkirk proceeded to walk into the church and preach on Luke 4, which was not the sermon he had prepared for the evening. From there, Henderson Hills began a lengthy sermon series trying to answer the question, “What is Jesus calling us to do?”
And thus, Ministries of Jesus was born.
11 G E N E R O S I T Y
During that drive, Dennis was listening to the Bible
Spring 2015
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
MEDICAL CLINIC The first part of Ministries of Jesus to come to fruition was
Swyden and the staff at MOJ found that the clinic serves a
the medical clinic. Henderson Hills is blessed to have many
very specific group of uninsured, unchurched indigent
physicians and dentists as members that were willing to
Oklahomans. This group makes up about 98% of all medical
step up and volunteer right away. And today, the medical
clinic goers.
12 G E N E R O S I T Y Spring 2015
clinic is able to affect some very important healing.
COUNSELING It wasn’t long before Ministries of Jesus found the need
For those who are able, Ministries of Jesus asks them to pay for
for counseling. MOJ found it imperative to have the most
their counseling sessions to defray the cost for those that cannot
qualified staff to be able to offer the best care possible.
afford it. Still, Swyden says that the cost is much less than what
Swyden’s wife, Julane, a Master’s level Licensed
the client would find anywhere else.
Professional Counselor (LPC) agreed to start the program on a part-time basis. MOJ quickly found the need to add
MOJ is currently working with the Edmond Women’s Club
more LPCs because the demand for Christian and
to write a grant that will help defray counseling costs for
gospel-centered counseling was much greater than
Edmond residents.
visit the medical and dental clinic, and also a number of middle- to upper-class Oklahomans who want counseling from a Christian world-view and can’t find it elsewhere.
13 G E N E R O S I T Y
For counseling, the clientele is a mixture of those who
Spring 2015
anyone could have guessed.
RECOVERY
SPIRIT | SOUL | BODY
The last area that Ministries of Jesus added to its
Today, the counseling center sees about 2,100 people
programs was addiction recovery. In addition to using
for one-on-one counseling sessions per year. The medical
Celebrate Recovery, Ministries of Jesus and Henderson
clinic has 7,000 open charts, and there have been
Hills have both been instrumental in helping develop
an untold number go through the addiction recovery
a theology of recovery that is gospel-centric as its
program. MOJ receives around 15 percent of its budget
mission promises.
from Henderson Hills but relies on God to provide the other 85 percent. Ministries of Jesus is changing lives with
In the beginning, MOJ and Henderson Hills found that
its three pillars – spirit, soul and body.
some national addiction recovery organizations endured pushback about a program that named Jesus Christ the
From a young boy feeling the freedom to stand up in front
Higher Power. Though MOJ and Henderson Hills felt this
of a church of people and hand away the last piece of
pressure, they stayed the course along with others in the
his past drug abuse to the Muslim woman who saw the
Christian addiction community and created a platform
kindness of God displayed to her and decided to become
that is now used in multiple programs across the United
a follower of Christ, Ministries of Jesus is brimming with
States, as well as mentioned in books on the topic.
stories of changed lives. In our next issue, you will be
*
introduced to some of these changed lives. The most encouraging fact about a program for addiction recovery that names a Higher Power is that the recidivism
You can support this worthy cause today through The
rate for people that go through the program is substantially
Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. To leave a gift through
less, at about 40 percent in programs where a Higher
your estate plan or to contribute to a new endowment for
Power is named. In programs where a Higher Power is
MOJ, please contact the Foundation at 1.800.949.9988.
not named, the recidivism rate is closer to 80 percent.
Gifts to Ministries of Jesus will allow the group to continue
* Many 12-step groups have ceased learning about or acknowledging a power (God) that is in control of the universe, creation and themselves. The Oxford Group was the founder of the 12-step concept. The original AA Big Book incorporated the concepts of the Oxford Group with the original intent that the “higher power” (something greater than oneself) be the God of the Bible. At MOJ, when we say Higher Power we mean our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 G E N E R O S I T Y
Spring 2015
guiding the spirit while healing the body and soul.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L M I S S I O N B O A R D
W O M E N H E R E , I M PAC T T H E R E OKL A HOM A W OM E N H EL P EX P L O I T ED W O M EN I N AS I A B Y KE E P I N G A B A KE RY MI NI S T RY O P EN F O R AN O T H ER YE A R by Lane Castleberry
Within a small room, four Oklahoma women gathered to discuss
And when women do decide to leave, the One Brothel project,
a shared experience at a spring women’s retreat, where they,
in partnership with Christian workers like Belinda, provides a
along with more than 2,300 others, made a significant
safe house to live in, counseling to reclaim self-worth and an
difference in the lives of exploited women in East Asia. Though
opportunity for employment and earning an income. That’s
thousands of miles away, these women continue to make an
where the bakery comes in to the story.
impact overseas by thinking globally. A bakery in East Asia provides employment for formerly exploited In East Asia, Christian worker Belinda Baker* builds relation-
women. However, the bakery’s lease needed renewal earlier this
ships with exploited women in brothels and presents them with
year, and lacking the finances to do so, the Christian workers
the Gospel. Determined to bring a message of hope and to
prayed for a solution.
16 G E N E R O S I T Y
Sprng 2015
provide an opportunity to leave their current lifestyle, Belinda prays for and walks through life with these young women — with
The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO)
daily discipleship, listening to their stories and sharing her heart.
women rallied together in giving more than $24,000 toward their annual retreat mission offering — the highest one-time
“We’re here when women decide they want to leave,” said a
offering given at a women’s retreat.
Christian worker in Asia. “We’re not going in and tearing down brothels or yanking women out. Our main goal is getting the gospel to them.”
*name changed
A Skype interview allowed the retreat attendees to hear
“It’s powerful to know that whatever amount we can give
directly from Belinda in Asia. When they heard about the lives
— whether it’s small or great —would make a huge impact on the
changed through her ministry, they felt compelled to give.
bakery staying open another year,” she said.
Ginger Bobala, who lives in Oklahoma City, couldn’t help but put herself in the shoes of the exploited women.
Amy Benton, a senior communications major at Oklahoma Baptist University, said she was amazed by what the Oklahoma
“All I could do was picture that could be one of my daughters,
women were able to give.
could have been one of my children. I could have easily been born in that country in a place like that, and it really moved my
Benton quoted Matthew 18:20, which says, “For where two or
heart,” said Bobala.
three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
The women of Oklahoma provided enough funds to keep the
“There’s just something about when we get together; it’s
bakery open for another year. However, there are still needs
life-changing,” she added.
and ways to influence change in East Asia. Currently, the bakery has enough corporate clients to provide for the safe house.
Women here can make a difference there!
Christian workers have been praying for more than a year that
Learn more at imb.org/women.
a national partner would take over the bakery business and create a storefront.
To learn how to give to The International Mission Board through the Foundation, call 1.800.949.9988.
As a stay-at-home mom, Misty Hall says she is not in a season of life where she can easily hop on a plane and go overseas, but she realizes she can still make an impact.
Lane Castleberry is Web content and social media coordinator at Oklahoma Baptist University.
4 WAYS TO HELP EXPLOITED WOMEN IN ASIA TAKE ACTION:
GIVE
a summer or two years using nutritionist, business, Web design or culinary skills. Find out how! Email women@imb.org.
toward safe house, outreach and bakery needs. To learn how to make a planned gift through the Foundation that will allow more women to be helped, contact us at 1.800.949.9988.
next Christmas in China. To learn more, email go@onelifematters.org.
PRAY for exploited women in East Asia, and for a national partner to take over the bakery business. Download a free prayer guide at
http://media1.imbresources.org/files/171/17129/17129-96394.pdf
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SPEND
Spring 2015
GO
F O U N DAT I O N N E W S C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N
Continuing education is a top priority for the Foundation staff. In the last issue of Generosity, we were pleased to celebrate with David Depuy as he passed the last of three exams that led to his certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst. David is not the only Foundation member pursuing higher education. Currently, two staff members are immersed in part-time MBA programs and one is pursuing a Master of Science in finance. One staff member has graduated with her MBA designation, one has just finished the exams for his CPA and another graduated with her Master’s degree in financial planning. Below is a list of those staff members still in programs and those that have finished.
KATHY LEE HATCHETT LEGAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FAMILY FINANCIAL PLANNING OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY Kathy Lee Hatchett has obtained two degrees while working full-time for the Foundation. Her first program to complete was the Legal Assistant Program at Oklahoma City University which she finished in 1998. This ABA-approved program qualified Kathy to work with lawyers in public and private law practice, government entities, the judiciary, or corporations. From 2009-2014, Kathy worked through Oklahoma State University to obtain her Master of Science in family financial planning. This degree allows her to sit for the Certified Financial PlannersTM exam which she will do in November of this year.
AMY AKINS
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA Amy is currently taking classes at the University of Central Oklahoma. She began her Master of Business Administration in August of 2014 and hopes to complete 18 G E N E R O S I T Y Spring 2015
it in December of the current year. Amy says, “The degree allows me to broaden my business knowledge to include facets I did not have as much exposure to with my undergrad degree, such as finance and marketing. Both will help with my communication with clients by giving me the ability to intelligently answer more questions and have a deeper understanding of what we do to help them.”
JAYME PHILLIPS
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Jayme is a MBA student at Oklahoma Christian University. She began her program in August of 2014 and hopes to be finished by September of the current year. Oklahoma Christian is one of the only programs in the state of Oklahoma that includes an emphasis in marketing. Jayme says, “Because of my current position, this program allows me to broaden my knowledge and take more classes that fit my occupation.”
BROOKE MOWERY
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY Brooke began her Master of Science in finance in January of this year and plans to finish in December of 2016. Brooke is enrolled at Pennsylvania State University and believes this degree will afford her “in-depth training and knowledge of financial markets and investments as well as develop skills to aid in risk management, financial analysis, and portfolio management.”
KRISTEN KARR
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA Kristen recently graduated from The University of Oklahoma with her Master of Business Administration. She began the program in the Fall of 2012 and finished in the Summer of 2014. Kristen says that since graduating, her MBA helps her “see the larger, overall picture of how an organization functions, rather than being pigeon-holed into only seeing what I do within an organization. That allows me to have a better understanding of how everything works together and why decisions have to be made strategically to appreciate how decisions in one area affect the entire organization.”
BROCK STOLTZFUS
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
has completed all of the tests required for his certification. He is still in the process of getting experience verified and completing the ethics requirement and will eventually apply for certification. This certification, as Brock puts it, “shows that I have a level of expertise and knowledge beyond just having an accounting degree. It also provides more career advancement opportunities.”
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Brock began the pursuit of his CPA in January of 2012. As of February 2015, Brock
Spring 2015
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
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GROW YOUR RESOURCES AND YOUR CHURCH LEARN ABOUT CHURCH FUNDS MANAGEMENT FROM THE BAPTIST FOUNDATION OF OKLAHOMA At The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, we offer a wide variety of investment options to help build a strong future for your church. Whether your organization is in the midst of a building campaign or wants to make the most of its church resources, our faith-centered investment and funds-management options can help you meet your goals.
Your faith grows stronger every day. Your congregation should, too. For more information, contact Jerry Vaughan at 800.949.9988 ext 4269 or jvaughan@bfok.org.