Generosity Magazine Fall 2016

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 Fall 2016

D RIVEN TO KI N G DO M I M PACT LUGREG TRUCKING FUELS GREG AND SUSAN K ANNADY’S PASSION FOR BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP

NEED TO BUILD? Church Loans HISPANIC CHURCH CHANGING LIVES Ministry Highlight

G ENEROS IT Y Fall 2016 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.

PRODUCTION Mike Schueler | Editor Mary Criner | Associate Editor VI Marketing and Branding | Design CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Ambra Mark Kelly Tobin Perry PHOTOGRAPHY Jeremy Scott Marcus Wehmuller ADMINISTRATION Robert Kellogg | President & CEO Shryln Treadwell | Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Services David Depuy | Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer, Client Relations Jerry Vaughan | Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, Ministry Services Jim Wilsie | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services 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 or email communications@bfok.org.

ON THE COVER OLD FRIENDS—Greg Kannady takes LuGreg’s original truck on a brief spin inside the gravel parking lot behind the company’s Kingfisher headquarters. He put more than a million miles on the vehicle during the early years at LuGreg Trucking; his wife, Susan, had it refurbished as a gift. Kannady now trusts the driving to other LuGreg team members, though he admits there are days he misses being behind the wheel.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

M

any of our parents told us that life isn’t fair — or easy. I prefer to think of it as a challenge.

The book of James instructs Christ-followers to expect challenges and to embrace them with joy. Challenges lead us to spiritual maturity, and in an earthly sense, they inspire innovation.

Today’s market environment is no different. Low interest rates and sluggish growth have limited investment returns to single digits, which negatively impacts the ability of Christian organizations to sustain Kingdom work.

Such challenges drive the Foundation to seek out new, innovative ways to provide ministries and churches with the financial support they need.

This November, we will debut a groundbreaking charitable giving app called “MustardSeed.” We believe it has the potential to dramatically impact ministry by tapping into our digitally dominated world to engage a new generation of givers.

The idea is simple. MustardSeed rounds up your everyday credit and debit purchases to the nearest dollar, and then sends that change to the ministry or church of your choice.

This means that when you shop for groceries, fill up your gas tank or grab lunch with friends, you are simultaneously supporting Kingdom causes. A few cents here and there may not seem like much, but when your gifts join thousands of others, you become part of something bigger.

When we began our 25x25 initiative three years ago, we committed to distributing $25 million annually to Southern Baptist ministries by the year 2025. And while an uncertain market makes that goal more challenging, it will also make meeting it more rewarding. We believe MustardSeed will prove to be part of that success.

As Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 17, with faith the size of a mustard seed, nothing is impossible.

Robert Kellogg, President & CEO

GENEROSITY

FALL 2016 4 NEED TO BUILD? HOW DO YOU START?

5 MARKET REPORT INVESTMENTS

CHURCH BUILDING LOANS & FUNDS MANAGEMENT

8 GREG AND SUSAN KANNADY: CALLED TO BE STEWARDS GIVING HIGHLIGHT

16 FLOWER GIFT KEEPS BAPTIST VILLAGE BLOOMING IMPACT HIGHLIGHT

6 WHY FINANCE WITH THE FOUNDATION? CHURCH BUILDING LOANS

1 0 HISPANIC CHURCH PLANT PAYS BIG DIVIDENDS IN CHANGED LIVES

14 CARING FOR RETIRED PASTORS

1 8 FBC NEWCASTLE: ‘DIGGING DEEP AND REACHING WIDE’

19 NEW STAFF MEMBERS

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT

GUIDESTONE FINANCIAL RESOURCES

FOUNDATION NEWS

CHURCH BUILDING LOANS

NEED TO BUILD? HOW DO YOU START? b y J e r r y Va u g h a n

O ne of the most exciting — but challenging — realizations

for many churches is the need for more space. In recent months I have received a number of calls from congregations who have outgrown their worship or education areas.

Most of these calls are seeking advice on next steps.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT Start by identifying and defining the need. You have to know what you need in order to know what to build. I recently talked to a pastor of a growing church who knew a larger sanctuary was needed, but his biggest concern was, “How big should we build it?”

Here’s a breakdown to get you started:

1. List building elements you want in the project.

2. List your functional needs.

3. Put together a plan that includes ministry,

finance and facilities.

This brings us to the next step in the building process: finding someone to design the project. An architect’s experience can be tremendously valuable during this phase.

They can help with assessing the feasibility of facilities with respect to site conditions, existing facility coordination, general construction costs, project costs and even safety issues. In some cases, design/bid/build contracting firms have qualified people who can fulfill this part of the process.

The person hired should meet with the church to get an understanding of the scope of the project and help clarify the needs.

PLAN YOUR BUILDING PROJECT One of the benefits of the design process is that it brings into focus the true cost of a project. Knowing what to build is important, but knowing its cost is crucial. This will determine important issues, such as fundraising and financing. This is also when the personality of a church emerges. Should the

4 GENEROSITY

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project be built debt-free? If debt is acceptable, should upfront cash be raised before construction begins?

Or, should fundraising be combined with debt? These are important discussions that can determine the actual start of construction. You should build a team that consists of church representation, architectural and engineering consultants, and the contractor. Planning prior to construction can help avoid problems during construction.

Once project costs and the available amount of upfront cash are known, you can begin to secure financing for the remainder. It can be a daunting task. At the Foundation, we understand that going into debt is a serious matter.

We want to partner with churches to help them borrow wisely with an appropriate level of debt. Our loan application process is easy to understand and designed to avoid paperwork nightmares.

BUILD THE FACILITY Finally, be involved in managing the project budget, timelines and expectations of the church. Rely on the design firm and contractor to keep you informed, but don’t leave all the big decisions up to them. The church should play an active role in making key choices and keeping the project on track.

It’s important to have realistic expectations. We all like to think everything will be perfect before, during and after a project is completed. But the truth is that there will be challenges to overcome in every build. The Foundation is your resource during this process. We can help manage those expectations and get the building you want.

Call 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4269 or email jvaughan@bfok.org to learn more about how the Foundation can help your church prepare for a building project.

INVESTMENTS

MARKET REPORT

by David Depuy

The U.S. stock market has posted modest positive gains

with the S&P 500 Index up 7.8 percent through the end of August. The MSCI EAFE, an international market index, is positive 0.5 percent while the MSCI EM, an emerging market index, gained 14.6 percent. The Barclay’s Aggregate Bond Index is positive 5.9 percent, which has been the biggest surprise of the year. While we are happy with the positive returns, it certainly hasn’t been easy getting them.

The markets do not respond well when there is so much uncertainty. Investors often look to history as a guide, but even that is of little use when there is no history to guide us.

One of the largest uncertainties continues to be interest rates. We are entering our ninth consecutive year of historically low interest rates as the Federal Reserve has sought to stimulate the economy. An example of lower rates is the interest rate for the 10-year Treasury Note seen below.

The gross domestic product (GDP) growth has risen from the lows experienced in 2009 but has yet to return to normal levels. The combination of low interest rates and slow GDP growth have placed a ceiling on investment returns, keeping performance expectations in the low single digits.

The recent vote by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (Brexit) as well as the upcoming U.S. presidential election are also uncertainties. While the result of the Brexit vote is known, the vote’s impact on the

economies of both the United Kingdom and the Eurozone remains to be seen. Similarly, the U.S. presidential election presents several risks. Not only are we unsure of who will be elected, but we also do not know what policy will be passed due to potential gridlock in Congress.

We are hopeful that these unknowns will soon be behind us. As we head into the remainder of 2016, we look for continued improvement in U.S. economic growth, interest rates to rise and the price of oil to recover. Though the economy is still not yet performing as we would like, it is in much better shape than many of our global competitors.

Facing so much uncertainty, the Foundation maintains a balanced approach with a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and alternative assets. The portfolio continues to perform well with positive returns of 4.0, 5.7 and 6.0 percent net of all manager fees and expenses for the trailing one year, three years and five years, respectively.

This compares to the portfolio’s passive benchmark of 6.4, 4.8 and 5.8 percent over the same time periods.

In addition, the risk of our portfolio, as measured by standard deviation, continues to be less than 60 percent of the passive benchmark over the trailing five years.

If you have any questions about Foundation investments, please contact David Depuy at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4222 or ddepuy@bfok.org.

50 YEAR AVERAGES 10-Year Treasury Rate = 6.5% GDP Growth Rate = 2.9%

INTEREST RATES VS GDP GROWTH RATE 10-YEAR TREASURY RATE

GDP GROWTH RATE

8% 6% 4% 2% 0% -2 % -4 %

12/1/94

12/1/97

12/1/00

12/1/02

12/1/05

12/1/08

12/1/09

12/1/11

12/1/13

12/1/15

Fall 2016 G E N E R O S I T Y

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CHURCH BUILDING LOANS

WHY FINANCE WITH THE FOUNDATION? Q&A WITH DAVE DOLPHIN, EXECUTIVE PASTOR OF TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH OF YUKON

I t’s the kind of problem every pastor wishes they had. Nearly 10 years ago, Trinity Baptist Church had too many members and

too little space. Rapid growth was squeezing the congregation out of its original building, but God had already orchestrated a solution: 20 acres of land was donated to the church, plus two Trinity members happened to be an architect and a builder. The construction was financed with a local bank, and the church built what is now its current facility on Cemetery Road in Yukon.

Recently, Trinity’s leadership made the decision to refinance the church’s loan with The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma.

Dave Dolphin, executive pastor of Trinity, talks about the experience and why they chose to work with the Foundation.

What prompted Trinity to refinance with the Foundation?

We were coming up on the next five-year period of our current adjustable-rate loan, and that’s always a good time to examine your options. In the end, the Foundation offered us a great rate and the opportunity to further our impact on the Kingdom.

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How has the new building affected Trinity’s growth?

The new facility includes a 1,200-seat auditorium that has allowed the church to grow and still meet as one group for worship. There’s a large commons area that encourages fellowship and significant space dedicated to kids and youth.

Executive Pastor Dave Dolphin (center) leads worship during Sunday service at Trinity Baptist Church.

In the years that followed after building the new facility, we saw the church increase in size significantly. The youth had their own dedicated space (instead of having to share the main auditorium with the Sunday morning worship service), and there were many new families with young children who were attracted to a kids’ ministry area that was fun and safe.

What were the advantages of refinancing through the Foundation compared with other financial institutions?

We love the Foundation’s heart for ministry. Paying interest on a loan is just part of the process, but knowing that interest goes to eternal, Kingdom-building opportunities is encouraging. The Foundation and Trinity share the same love for Jesus and His people, and that makes it a great partnership.

Has the space opened opportunities for community outreach?

Definitely. There have been many opportunities, but the most recent is holding a free medical clinic in our building every Tuesday evening for the community. Faith Clinic’s mission is to offer the healing hope of Jesus Christ and contribute to health and well-being by providing quality, holistic healthcare to every patient.

What’s the vision for Trinity during the next 5-10 years?

We’ve been fortunate to have two long-term pastors lead the church for nearly all of the 35 years it has been in existence. We are currently searching for our next senior pastor to help Trinity continue to reach the unchurched of the Canadian Valley area. We want to connect them to a vibrant community of believers who are experiencing spiritual transformation through a passionate commitment to Christ and His Word.

FOUNDATION LOANS SUPPORT:

Meals for hungry children

Clean water Housing for Countless other for villagers pregnant women Baptist causes

The Foundation’s loan rates are extremely competitive, and 100 percent of loan interest supports ministries at home and abroad. We offer loans for a wide range of church and ministry needs, including construction, facility renovation and expansion, and refinancing.

For more information on church building loans, contact Jerry Vaughan at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4269 or email jvaughan@bfok.org.

Fall 2016 G E N E R O S I T Y

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GIVING HIGHLIGHT

CALLED TO BE STEWARDS: ‘A HUMBLING OPPORTUNITY’

by M a r k Ke l l y

LuGreg Trucking is more than a business for Greg and Susan Kannady. It’s an opportunity to impact eternity.

Greg Kannady has come a long way since he left college

“It’s important for my wife, Susan, and me to give back

in 1981 to start a business with his parents. But his heart for

because that’s who we are in Christ; we want to emulate

giving to God’s Kingdom hasn’t changed from the days he was

that heart of sacrifice demonstrated by Christ on the

working hard to build LuGreg Trucking in Kingfisher, Oklahoma.

cross,” Kannady says.

“God gave me a calling at Oklahoma State University

“The opportunity to participate in God’s plan and the

to start a business,” Kannady recalls. “And the primary

ability to be good stewards, that’s a gift, a humbling

purpose of that business was the opportunity to impact

opportunity that brings joy and peace,” he adds.

my team members, and the people we interact with day-

“I’m just so thankful for the privilege to participate.”

in and day-out, for the Kingdom of Christ.”

The Kannadys channel much of their giving through LuGreg Trucking provides fluid logistics services to

a donor-advised fund at The Baptist Foundation of

Oklahoma’s oil industry from seven locations in the

Oklahoma, which allows a person to send tax-deductible

northwestern part of the state. Kannady’s 150 team

grants to their favorite ministries out of an account

members know a percentage of the company’s profit

managed by the Foundation.

comes off the top for Kingdom causes.

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Fall 2016

Among the Kingdom causes the Kannadys benefit through

I am grateful for their commitment to children. They are

their giving:

making an eternal impact today and for generations to come.”

• Falls Creek Conference Center: “Because of the impact Falls Creek has had on the world.”

• Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children: “Because of Christ’s calling to support those who are less fortunate or vulnerable.”

• Dayspring Villa (a faith-based shelter for women and children): “Because it seems more and more prevalent that women are placed in situations where they are very vulnerable.”

• Baptist Village Communities: “So that we may be faithful to those who were so faithful to us.”

• Promise Keepers: “Because they really solidified what I felt was my biblical responsibility as a man, as a husband and a father.”

• Water4 (a nonprofit that addresses the global water crisis): “Because they share the Gospel to meet these people’s most basic need, which is Jesus Christ.”

The Kannadys’ “first and foremost” giving priority is their local church, First Baptist Church of Kingfisher.

City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City –– another faith-

“Greg and Susan Kannady are two of the most generous

based ministry that benefits from the Kannadys’ generosity

and loving people I have ever met,” says their pastor, Scott

–– serves thousands of homeless men, women and children

Watkins. “They have a great compassion for the lost and

each year with a place to sleep, healthy meals and tutoring

the needy, yet also a heart for discipling and strengthening

for children.

the church. Much of what we do at FBC Kingfisher would be next to impossible without them, but their humble

“To see the hundreds of children that come to the mission

attitudes would never articulate that.”

with their desperate parents truly touches my heart,” says Tom Jones, president of City Rescue Mission. “We choose

Giving to Kingdom causes is a simple act of obedience that

not to accept any government funds because we would not

arises out of gratitude for God’s grace and faithfulness,

be able to share the Gospel of Christ with each and every

says Susan Kannady.

person who enters our doors. It’s donors like the Kannadys who make this possible.”

“Most people are waiting for some big reason to give,” she says. “People think, ‘Well, it’s small. It doesn’t matter.’

Greg McNeece, president-elect of Oklahoma Baptist

But everything matters. If it’s a gesture the Lord told you

Homes for Children, echoes the sentiment.

to give, then give and be obedient. If you’re waiting for that big thing to do, you’re not going to get to those big

“With our commitment to helping people and the desire to share the Gospel, we have never taken state or federal funding to care for the physical or spiritual needs of those we serve,” McNeece says. “Greg and Susan have an amazing heart to see lives changed for those who find themselves in a place of hardship.”

things until you’re faithful with the small things.”

To learn more about planned giving through the Foundation, please contact Mike Romero at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4203 or email mromero@bfok.org.

Mark Kelly is a Southern Baptist journalist and host of a podcast at godsrevolution.net.

Fall 2016 G E N E R O S I T Y

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MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT

I G L E S I A B A U T I S TA C E N T R A L

Q U A I L S P R I N G S ’ I N V E S T M E N T I N H I S PA N I C C H U R C H P L A N T PAY S B I G D I V I D E N D S I N C H A N G E D L I V E S b y To b i n P e r r y

Maria Bravo, Humberto Manzano and Pastor Felix Cabrera.

IBC members join Felix Cabrera in a prayer of dedication after touring the church’s new building, adjacent to Quail Springs Baptist Church.

Divorce. Not an option Humberto Manzano and his wife, Maria Bravo, thought they’d ever consider. But as their marriage reached a breaking point, divorce seemed inevitable. Manzano worked full time in the oil fields, which meant he spent long periods away from home — with little time left to invest in his marriage.

“It was a last resort to try to save our marriage,” Bravo says. “God not only saved our marriage, but more importantly, He saved us.”

The couple’s marital woes worsened when they moved from Texas to Oklahoma in 2012. That’s when a friend invited

Manzano and Bravo came to faith in Christ shortly after

them to a new Spanish-language church in northwest

they arrived at IBC. The couple says they’re now trying to

Oklahoma City, Iglesia Bautista Central (IBC). Figuring

live as husband and wife on God’s terms. Bravo serves as

they had nothing to lose, the couple decided to give

the church’s administrative assistant; Manzano is an elder

church a try.

and a part of the church’s finance team.

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Fall 2016

“We responded to God’s calling, repented from our sin

“Before, we would have thought there’s no way I can leave

and placed our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior,”

the oil industry and take another job. Money-wise we could

Bravo says. “It felt like a huge burden was taken off our

never make it,” he explains. “Now we know God is taking

shoulders. Our eyes were opened, and we started to see

care of all of our needs.”

all the things we were doing wrong and are now learning The couple is grateful that God brought them to IBC, where

to do them God’s way.”

they are discovering more about who He created them to be.

Recently, in an effort to live out God’s agenda for his marriage, Manzano resigned his position in the oil industry

“At IBC, our members have come from more than 15

to take a job where he’d be able to spend more time with his

countries all united with the same purpose –– to glorify and

wife and continue serving at IBC. The transition also meant

honor God in everything that we do,” Bravo says. “At IBC

a significant cut in salary. It wasn’t a decision Manzano

we truly are more than a church. We are a family.”

made lightly –– or without a lot of prayer and Godly counsel.

GROWING IMPACT But the story of how God transformed Manzano and Bravo’s marriage didn’t begin when they first visited IBC. It actually started more than a decade earlier when Hance Dilbeck became the pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

When Dilbeck took the reins in 2003, Quail Springs was running about 600 in attendance. (It has now grown to more than 2,000.) Church leaders soon realized that the church’s property limited potential growth. After some strategic planning, the church decided to fully develop the land it owned and plant new churches — in Oklahoma City and beyond — to help multiply the congregation’s impact.

“We believe that church planting is one of the best long-term, Kingdom-building uses of resources,” Dilbeck says.

As part of that Kingdom-building journey, Quail Springs brought Felix Cabrera on staff in 2011 to plant a Spanish-language church out of the congregation. Cabrera had seen a need for a new church among the Hispanic population in the area.

Hance Dilbeck, senior pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church.

IBC members line-up for lunch during a church “ family fun” event.

Fall 2016 G E N E R O S I T Y

11

Pastor Felix Cabrera prays with IBC leaders before Sunday morning service.

“The Hispanic population in Northside Oklahoma City and

Quail Springs hasn’t stopped with just one new Hispanic

Edmond is growing every day,” Cabrera says. “People from

church, though. It didn’t take long to realize Cabrera had a

21 different Spanish-speaking countries — and from Brazil —

keen eye for new church planters — and a natural network of

are arriving to our community. They need the Gospel.

relationships with potential planters. Quail Springs partnered

The majority of the Hispanics come from Catholic and

with IBC to start the Red 1:8 Church Planting Network, which

neo-Pentecostalism backgrounds. They don’t believe in Jesus.

helps discover, develop and deploy church planters in North

We are desperate to reach them with the truth of salvation.”

America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Quail Springs paid Cabrera’s salary and provided him with

Through the Red 1:8 Network, Quail Springs and IBC now

resources as he started a Sunday School class and later a

support 30 church planters in Oklahoma and elsewhere.

Spanish-language ministry of the church. In January 2015, Iglesia Bautista Central became a new church. During the past

“New churches tend to reach new people,” says Ray

five years, Cabrera has seen a Sunday School class of eight

Anderson, Quail Springs’ missions and evangelism pastor.

multiply into a church with an average attendance of 185.

“Existing churches naturally become more inward, or the constituency we reach is limited. When you can start a church

To accommodate that growth, Quail Springs recently

that is targeted toward a Hispanic community or a location

purchased a neighboring property and set aside a large

that doesn’t have a church at all, it really expands

portion for IBC’s use.

Kingdom growth.”

“Quail Springs is the perfect example of a mother church,”

Dilbeck believes helping new churches get started has not

Cabrera says. “They not only provide a space where we

only brought people into the Kingdom but also has played a

can meet, an office where I can work and offer counseling

part in discipling his congregation.

to our people without cost, but they’ve also put action with words. They provided all my financial needs to give me the

“It consistently sends a message that it is not about us,”

freedom and flexibility to be in ministry full-time to reach

Dilbeck says. “We’re here to serve the Lord. It’s about His

out and visit people, to preach the Gospel and to develop a

Kingdom. It’s not about our church. It works against a

healthy ministry without the financial stress that the majority

self-centered, consumer mindset that is always a risk with

of other pastors face.”

churches like ours.”

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Fall 2016

FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP Quail Springs’ extensive investment in church planting

When Quail Springs was ready to begin construction of a

was made possible, in part, by a large financial gift from

new worship space in late 2014, they were able to use part

a church member in late 2012. After giving a portion of

of the original gift as payment. Between the time the gift

the gift to the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program, the

was invested and the time the church needed funds

church earmarked a sizable amount for church planting,

for the new space, the gift had earned an additional

among other ministries.

$300,000 they could reinvest in ministry.

To better steward the large gift, Quail Springs turned to

Manzano and Bravo are just one example of the life-

The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma for help. With the

changing return that’s come from wisely stewarding the gifts

Foundation’s assistance, the church was able to put the

God has given Quail Springs –– both financial and spiritual.

gift to work as an investment while they waited to use it for

The couple deeply appreciate the church’s investment

ministry purposes.

in their lives and in the work of IBC. Not only has Quail Springs provided material support for the church plant,

“It’s a relationship we can’t find anywhere else as a total

but the couple says the church has personally encouraged

inclusive package,” says Michael Stephens, the business

them. They point to notes left by Quail Springs’ members

administrator at Quail Springs. “When we give our money

reminding them of their prayer support as Manzano

to the Foundation to hold for us, we know it’s different

transitioned to his new job.

from giving it to a bank, in that the Foundation is set up specifically to support ministries.”

“It has been a real blessing what they have done for us,” Bravo says.

Felix Cabrera with his wife, Denisse, and daughters Andrea (left) and Adriana.

To learn more about how the Foundation can help your church multiply ministry funds, please contact Jerry Vaughan at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4269, or by email at jvaughan@bfok.org.

Fall 2016 G E N E R O S I T Y

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MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT

MISSION:DIGNITY PROVIDES FINANCIAL COMFORT TO RETIRED PASTORS, WIDOWS

by John Ambra

Jean Choate still has the quilt from First Baptist Church

“We eloped with some friends of ours. They were witnesses

of Okeene. It was a Christmas gift from the women of the

for us and we were witnesses for them,” Jean remembers.

church where Jean’s late husband, Bill, served as pastor in

“I had the first of our four children when I was 18 and the

the late 1960s.

second a year later. We were married four or five years when we were saved.”

“Each one of the women made a block and then stitched her autograph on it,” Jean recalls. “They’d go into the library to

A few years later, God had some additional plans for the

pass around the pattern and I’d be coming down the hall.

Choates. Although Bill had a successful window-washing

They really thought I’d find out and ruin the surprise.”

business and they were living comfortably, God called them

The Choates were both surprised by the quilt, but not by the

into vocational ministry. Jean remembers the visit to an

love and care of that congregation.

elderly pastor’s home after lunch one Sunday.

“It was just wonderful, and every time I look at it, it brings

“At the time, we hadn’t even talked about seminary and I

back lots of memories,” Jean said. “Most of those women

never thought about it. Billy asked the pastor if he should

were older and have gone on to heaven. Whenever I went to

go to seminary. I thought to myself, ‘Where did that come

Falls Creek, I’d take the quilt with me and put it on my bed.

from?’ The old preacher told him, ‘Anything that can make

All the kids would come by and look at it. It was in our house

you a better servant of God, that’s what you ought to do.’

when we had a fire in 1985, but the Lord took care of it.”

It wasn’t long before we sold our house, packed up our kids and our dog and moved to Fort Worth.”

The Lord also took care of Bill and Jean during 67 years of marriage and 55 years of ministry. They were married in

During seminary, Bill continued to wash windows and took

1948 while Jean was just 16 and Bill was 19.

a pastorate in Cisco, Texas, about 150 miles to the west.

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Fall 2016

After graduation, the family moved back to Oklahoma

Sunday School classes and churches. Donors often include

where they served eight different churches in Ringwood,

Mission:Dignity in their wills and estate plans.

Meridian and several other small communities. When Bill retired, he and Jean stayed in Comanche and Bill took up

When Bill died in October 2015 after an extended illness,

auctioneering to make some extra income.

Jean was encouraged to know that Mission:Dignity would continue to help her.

In 2013, the Choates began receiving a monthly assistance grant through Mission:Dignity, the benevolence ministry

“I taught school for 25 years and all we’ve had to live on

of GuideStone Financial Resources. Mission:Dignity helps

was my teacher pension and a little bit of Social Security

nearly 1,800 ministers and widows across the country,

since Bill had opted out back in the ’60s. Now, with just me, I

including 67 in Oklahoma. Most of these pastors served

couldn’t make it without that extra gift from Mission:Dignity.

small, rural churches with little pay and, sometimes, no

It really helps make ends meet and has allowed me to do

benefits. About $7 million in assistance is distributed each

things I couldn’t have done otherwise.”

year, funded primarily by the direct gifts of individuals,

“He loved me. He loved his family.

He loved the church and he loved God. It’s so hard to get by without him,” Jean says.

When Jesus was preparing for His departure, He told His disciples He would send another Comforter. Although He wouldn’t be with them any longer in person, there was One who would come alongside them in the days ahead, providing not only wisdom but also encouragement and strength for the journey.

Mission:Dignity is a great comfort to the retired pastors and widows assisted through the program — serving as the arms of Christ extended in a personal and tangible way. Two-thirds of the recipients are widows of pastors and their monthly grant is a reminder that they are loved and not forgotten.

SUPPORT MISSION:DIGNITY You can help care for retired pastors and their widows through Mission:Dignity. To learn how, please contact Mike Romero at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4203 or email mromero@bfok.org.

John Ambra is Director of Development for GuideStone Financial Resources.

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I M PA C T H I G H L I G H T

FLOWER GIFT KEEPS BAPTIST VILLAGE BLOOMING

by Mike Schueler

Resident Council member Gil Kettler (left) helps Jennifer Ulmer, BVC resident services director, unload flats of bedding plants ahead of the annual flower giveaway.

They came by the truckload — impatiens, begonias, zinnias

says it’s all thanks to an Oklahoma City woman named

and periwinkles — to the delight of Baptist Village (BVC)

Ruth* who had a generous heart and a passion for flowers.

residents eager to flex their green thumbs and brighten up

With the help of The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, Ruth

their homes.

created a special gift in her will known as an endowment, which allowed her to provide flowers for BVC residents

This summer, dozens of senior adults took part in the

every year, indefinitely.

retirement community’s annual flower giveaway, which provides free bedding plants for BVC residents to grow

That’s a good thing, Adkinson says, because the flower

in their courtyards, patios and gardens.

giveaway continues to grow in popularity, from 40 residents in 2011 to 75 in 2016. That meant bringing in nearly 700

“It keeps me outdoors and it beautifies the whole campus,”

plants this year, which resident volunteers ferried from a

says 90-year-old Doris Hill as she carries a tray loaded with

local nursery.

vibrant red and lavender blooms. Betty McAlister, 82, was heading “straight home” to plant her flowers. “I think it’s

Chris Finley, director of BVC’s chaplain services, says the

wonderful because I’m a yard person,” she says with a grin.

impact of Ruth’s gift on residents’ quality of life is tangible.

BVC Resident Council Chairman Sid Adkinson has directed the flower giveaway since it began five years ago. Adkinson, 89, 16 G E N E R O S I T Y

Fall 2016

“It’s really neat to watch the residents plant the flowers in their courtyards; they’ll step out and say, ‘Come look at my flowers!’

And they have that bragging right just like they had in their own neighborhood,” Finley says. “At the Baptist Village, that’s what we are trying to create — a neighborhood environment.”

Margaret Gibbany agrees. The 85-year-old was among the

you are trying to support. And because an endowment lives

first in line at the giveaway and says that blooms weren’t the

on in perpetuity, in the case of Ruth’s gift, the flowers aren’t

only thing she expected her plants to grow.

going to run out. There are always going to be flowers in the Baptist Village because of Ruth’s Flower Fund.”

“This brings people together,” she explains. “We meet other residents that we don’t see but once or twice a year. It gives

Currently, the fund is able to provide flowers only for the

people a pride of ownership of their little area and a way to

Baptist Village in Oklahoma City. But Ice adds that could

build friendships.”

expand to other Baptist Village locations across the state if good market returns continue to grow Ruth’s endowment.

Randy Ice was instrumental in creating the endowment that funds the flower giveaway. He is a finance professor

Ice’s mother, Joan, also lives at BVC. Though the 77-year-

at the University of Central Oklahoma and an advisor

old’s apartment doesn’t have garden space, that doesn’t

to the Foundation’s board of directors. He also was

stop her from enjoying the flowers as she visits friends

Ruth’s neighbor.

around campus.

“Ruth had a wonderful garden filled with flowers, and as

“We look out over the neighborhood and it’s just gorgeous,”

she neared the end of her life she wanted to share that joy

she says. “We have flowers everywhere … flowers in

with others,” Ice says. That’s where the power of endowment

backyards, flowers in front yards, flowers all over the place.

comes in.

And it’s all thanks to Ruth.” *Last name withheld for donor privacy.

“Anyone can create an endowment — it’s simply a tool that allows you to make a charitable gift, either during your life or through your estate after death,” Ice explains. “That money is invested and the income goes to the cause that

To learn more about planned giving through the Foundation, please contact Mike Romero at 1.800.949.9899 ext. 4203 or email mromero@bfok.org.

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MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT

‘DIGGING DEEP AND REACHING WIDE’ AT FBC NEWCASTLE

by Mary Criner

S haring Christ with a community of nearly 10,000 people

congregation struggled to find members willing to be involved

sounds overwhelming, but it’s a challenge First Baptist Church

in international missions. Not anymore.

of Newcastle takes seriously.

By focusing on living out the Gospel and creating more Pastor Jeremy Freeman says his growing congregation is determined to make a Kingdom impact, and the church’s new motto of “digging deep and reaching wide” is helping drive FBC Newcastle’s urgency to show the world who Jesus is.

opportunities for people to serve internationally, Freeman says FBC Newcastle is seeing a tremendous increase in global outreach involvement. By the end of year, the church will have sent nearly 80 people on mission trips around the world.

“When people come to our church we want them to know that we are digging deep into the truth of God’s Word, but also reaching wide into the world around us,” Freeman explains. “We want to be transformed by the One we are learning about, and we want our learning to produce loving.”

One of the primary ways FBC Newcastle demonstrates that love is through foster and adoption services. With over 10,000 children in Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services system, there is great need for the body of Christ to participate in foster and adoption care. Freeman says

“These truly are exciting days to be a part of God’s church.

When Christ returns, may He find His people hard at work, doing all they can to reach people with the greatest news of all time,” Freeman says.

FBC Newcastle’s investment in lives has also created the need to expand their church facilities. Freeman says he’s grateful for a partnership with the Foundation, which has helped the church multiply ministry funds and make significant upgrades and additions to their building.

FBC Newcastle first became aware of this need when God burdened the hearts of several church members. After raising awareness and encouraging participation, FBC Newcastle now has over 20 families directly involved in either fostering or adoption. This includes Freeman and his wife, who recently

“The Foundation has been a tremendous support to FBC Newcastle — they’ve helped us make decisions about what kind of loan is best for us,” Freeman says. “Not only are the interest rates competitive, but all interest goes to incredible ministries that help advance God’s Kingdom.

adopted two children.

But FBC Newcastle’s reach is wider than Oklahoma. Freeman says the church is also passionate about making disciples of all nations. In the past, the Pastor Jeremy Freeman.

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Fall 2016

“We could not have done what we have done and reached who we have reached without the help from the Foundation.

The future is bright at FBC Newcastle.”

To learn more about the Foundation’s Church Building Loan and Ministry Funds Management services, contact Jerry Vaughan at 1.800.949.9988 ext. 4269 or email jvaughan@bfok.org.

F O U N DAT I O N N E W S N E W S TA F F M E M B E R S

Growth brings change to any organization, and new faces. This year The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma

welcomed four new employees. Their diverse experience will continue to strengthen the Foundation’s tenured staff as they seek to make a Kingdom impact by serving ministries throughout Oklahoma, across the United States and around the world.

M C K E N Z I E BROW N

RECEPTIONIST McKenzie Brown is a recent graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Cross-Cultural Ministry. Brown says she is excited to work at the Foundation because she desires to be part of an organization that helps impact lives for Christ. As receptionist, Brown’s main responsibility is creating a positive client experience for Foundation guests. Brown is a native Texan, and lives in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

TA M A R A H ILL

TRUST OFFICER

Tamara Hill is a seasoned client relations manager who views her role as an opportunity to serve Christ by serving others. “Whether helping individuals protect their families through estate planning or supporting churches and ministries through sustainable financial resources, the Foundation’s services ultimately focus on glorifying God,” Hill says. Following several years in the banking industry, she will now work closely with Foundation clients who have Ministry Funds Management, donor advised fund and/or custodial accounts. Hill attended the University of Central Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. She and her husband, Steve, have four children: Conner, 16; Kailey, 13; Logan, 11; and Luke, 9. The family lives in Yukon, Oklahoma.

M I K E S C H UELER

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Mike Schueler joined the Foundation’s staff following a decade with the International Mission Board (IMB), where he served as a senior writer and communication strategist. Schueler’s goal at the Foundation is to inspire generosity by sharing the stories of how charitable contributions change lives and impact eternity. “Concepts like planned giving and estate planning can sound very intimidating,” Schueler says. “I want every Oklahoma Baptist to know that the Foundation is here to help them navigate these decisions and leave a legacy with Kingdom impact.”

Schueler and his wife, Kirsten, recently moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, with their three girls: Miriam, 9; Nora, 7; and Violet, 2.

MI C H A E L S CH WAB

DATA MANAGER

Michael Schwab works to organize data related to customer relationships — an important piece of the Foundation’s focus to serve clients more effectively and efficiently. Prior to the Foundation, Schwab worked for the United States Air Force as a technical writer. Schwab is originally from Riverside, California, and now lives in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He is actively involved at Heritage Church and serves as a board member of “Safe Events for Families,” a community-oriented nonprofit organization dedicated to providing family-friendly events and activities.

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

OKLA. CITY, OKLA. PERMIT NO. 1489

3800 N. MAY AVE. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73112

Bringing JOY to the WORLD and MUSIC to your EARS. For 70 years, The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma has spread joy and generosity to churches and families across the globe.

This December, we’re spreading even more with a special holiday concert for you and your family.

Annie Moses Band Christmas Concert Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK December 8, 2016, 7pm

For tickets and more info, visit AnnieMosesChristmas.com