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SPRING/SUMMER 2019

THE BAPTIST FOUNDATION OF OKLAHOMA

BREAKING T H E C YC L E DRUG ADDICTION IS REAL. BUT SO IS RECOVERY. FIND OUT HOW YOUR GIVING IS SAVING LIVES AND SOULS THROUGH HOPE IS ALIVE.

TAMING THE MINISTRY ACCOUNTING BEAST

SMART GIVING: IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER

FOUNDATION 2018 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

Do good and secure your future with a Charitable Gift Annuity. A Charitable Gift Annuity provides the security of a guaranteed lifetime income while allowing you to support Gospel-centered ministries that will impact the next generation and beyond. Your gift is eligible for an immediate tax deduction, and annuity interest yields are at a 10-year high. Start a conversation with our planned giving professionals today.

800.949.9988 | give@bfok.org | bfok.org/CGA

Inside HOPE IS ALIVE Lance Lang never imagined his own addiction would lead him to break the addictions of others. Learn how you can help Hope is Alive transform lives through sobriety and the Gospel. PG. 12

ON THE COVER — Amy, Tyler and Chris (left to right) are not the same people they used to be. Each has escaped the cycle of drug addiction, thanks to help from Hope is Alive.

2018 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

TAMING THE SMART GIVING: ACCOUNTING BEAST IRA ROLLOVER

WORTH THE WAIT

From the local church to international missions, your giving changes lives. Understand the numbers that provide insight into your generosity’s impact through the Foundation in 2018.

Bad bookkeeping can spell disaster for a church’s finances. Find out how a new service from WatersEdge is lifting the accounting burden to free pastors to focus on what really counts.

Support ministr y and lower taxable income— what’s not to love? Learn why you should consider giving to the causes you care about through an IRA Charitable Rollover.

Ten years is a long time to wait for answered prayer. See how God provided space and funding for a small Oklahoma church that found itself in the midst of a booming community.

PG. 8

PG. 10

PG. 24

PG. 26

GENEROSIT Y Spring/Summer 2019 Generosity is published biannually by The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. To subscribe, request a copy or update mailing information, please call 800.949.9988 or email communications@bfok.org.

PRODUCTION

Mike Schueler | Editor-in-Chief Marissa Crowson | Visual Editor Anna Dellinger | Content Editor Jacob Blaze | Design

CONTRIBUTORS

Heather Hamilton Sheryl Hash Taprina Milburn

Nick Oxford Christa Rogers Corey Smith

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

Introducing WatersEdge Ministry Services New name, expanded services—committed to serving and strengthening Oklahoma Baptist churches

his past Januar y, the Foundation marked a turning point in its histor y with the creation of WatersEdge Ministr y Ser vices, a new brand that now houses the Foundation’s church-focused services—loans, term investments, and a new offering, Ministr y Accounting. (You can read more about this on page 10.) Our inspiration for the name WatersEdge came from the many significant and often miraculous events in Scripture that happened at or near the water’s edge, from Moses parting the Red Sea in Exodus 14 to Jesus calling his first disciples in Luke 5. An individual’s salvation is perhaps the greatest miracle most modern-day believers will ever witness. Every heart surrendered to Christ is miraculous, and Southern Baptist churches are where many of these salvation miracles are happening ever y day. New souls are welcomed into God’s Kingdom, discipled, and then sent out to lead other lost people to Jesus. That’s the miracle we want WatersEdge to be part of—partnering with local churches to provide the financial resources that support their work to spread the Gospel and make disciples. For those who may worr y that the WatersEdge brand means the Foundation is moving away from Baptist life, let me reassure you: it’s just a name. WatersEdge is unabashedly Southern Baptist, fully part of The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, and wholly committed to ser ving and strengthening Oklahoma Baptist churches. Why, then, have we introduced this new brand? I believe that WatersEdge Ministry Services better communicates the unique focus of this part of the Foundation, which is designed specifically to serve churches. The remainder of the Foundation’s services, which are typically geared more to individual donors or large institutions like universities

and seminaries, will remain under The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma brand. While Oklahoma Baptists have always been and will remain our core constituents, the Lord has also blessed the Foundation with the opportunity to serve Baptist churches outside our state. Many of these churches belong to state Baptist conventions that cannot or do not provide resources like loans and term investments, which are critical tools for facilitating church growth. The WatersEdge brand removes potential obstacles to ser ving these churches, many of which may other wise believe their geography prevents them from partnering with the Foundation simply because they are not located in Oklahoma. In addition to growing God’s Kingdom, it is important to understand that serving these out-of-state Baptist churches also brings tremendous benefit to Oklahoma Baptists by allowing the Foundation (WatersEdge) to grow the financial resources at the core of our church loan and term investment programs. The more churches that multiply their cash assets by investing with WatersEdge through our Demand & Term Deposits, the more funds are made available for our Church Building Loan program. The same is true with loans; the more churches that secure the funding needed to build, renovate or meet ministry needs through a WatersEdge loan, the more interest dollars are available to grow other churches’ cash assets through term investments. That’s why we say that a WatersEdge loan or term investment has such remarkable Kingdom impact. Instead of widening the profit margin at a secular bank, WatersEdge loans and term investments pour financial resources back into Southern Baptist ministries. Thank you for allowing the Foundation and WatersEdge to serve your church or ministry. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner together to make an impact that can only be measured in eternity.

Robert K. Kellogg President & CEO

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#BecauseYouGive STANDING FOR THE UNBORN Pro-life Oklahoma senators line the front of the House chamber to demonstrate their support of pro-life legislation during the 28th annual Rose Day rally. Over 1,000 people attended the event, presenting roses representing the sanctity of the unborn to state senators and representatives to encourage the passage of pro-life bills. #BecauseYouGive, Rose Day was made possible by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). The Foundation can help multiply your gifts to the BGCO or to Hope Pregnancy Centers, which prevent hundreds of abortions each year through free ultrasounds. Contact us at 800.949.9988 or give@bfok.org. Or, visitÂ bfok.org/give.

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

PHOTO BY ANNA DELLINGER

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#BecauseYouGive

MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE Members of the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus (OBCC) perform at Grace Place Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, March 31. This year marks the sixth season for the ensemble, which brings together children in grades 4-7 from Baptist churches across the state. #BecauseYouGive, the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma is able to provide opportunities like OBCC that help children grow in their relationship with Christ. “Singing plants God’s Word in these kids’ hearts,” says OBCC Director Wynn Anne Hook. “We are teaching them to share their faith through music.” The Foundation can help you multiply your gift to support the ministry of OBCC; contact our planned giving professionals at 800.949.9988 or give@bfok.org. Or, donate online at bfok.org/give.

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

PHOTO BY MIKE SCHUELER

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2018 Annual Impact Report The Foundation’s role is to manage and multiply your gifts while inspiring future generosity. Our vision is to distribute $25 million to ministries annually by the year 2025. We call it “25x25” (25 by 25). In 2018, the Foundation distributed $24.3 million, $14 million of which comprised our Annual Distribution. These funds were sent to more than 400 charitable beneficiaries.

Caring for At-Risk Mothers and Children

Evangelism and Church Planting

$3,265,319

$1,391,468

23.3%

9.9%

Other Ministries

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION

$1,301,377 9.3%

Missions and Seminaries

$1,015,072 7.2%

$14,028,357 Christian Higher Education

Churches and Associations

$5,314,295

$1,232,249

37.9%

8.8%

Serving Senior Adults

$508,577 3.6%

PLANNED GIFTS Planned giving allows generous individuals like you to impact the ministries you care about, grow God’s Kingdom and provide practical help to those in need. In 2018, your planned gifts impacted thousands of lives. Endowments: $7.9 million Donor Advised Funds: $2.6 million TOTAL

$11.2 million 8

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

Charitable Gift Annuities: $552,200 Charitable Remainder Trusts: $110,400

Estate Planning

338

families pledged more than $33.2 million through their estate plans.

WatersEdge Ministry Services is the Foundation’s new brand for ministry-focused loan, investment and accounting services.

Dollars Invested $60 mm

MINISTRY INVESTMENTS $49,529,812

$40 mm

WatersEdge manages more than 250 Demand & Term Deposit accounts totaling $49.5 million. These short- and long-term investment options are designed to multiply ministry resources and maximize Kingdom impact through above-market yields and low fees.

$20 mm 0 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

CHURCH LOANS In 2018, WatersEdge made 42 loans to multiple Southern Baptist organizations ranging from $4,800 to $6 million. WatersEdge collected $4 million in interest from these loans ($39 million over the past 10 years). The vast majority of this interest was returned to ministries throughout Oklahoma and across the nation.

1-9 loans 10-20 loans 20+ loans

Loan Interest Returned to Ministry 2018 2017

$4,098,285 $4,013,315

2016

$4,074,866

2015

$4,138,259

2014 2013

$4,032,091

“WatersEdge helped us when the banks couldn’t, and they were there for us when we needed them.” Brad Graves, Senior Pastor First Baptist Church of Ada

“WatersEdge has been so incredibly helpful to us as we move forward with a building project. I love that interest from our loan is used to advance the Kingdom of God. I’m thankful for a place that has sharp business acumen but also recognizes the big picture of getting the Gospel to the world.” Bob Morrissey, Pastor The Church @ Clawson

$3,669,554

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Taming the

ACCOUNTING BEAST A new service from WatersEdge provides bookkeeping, payroll and contribution tracking for Oklahoma Baptist churches and ministries. BY ANNA DELLINGER

arah Barham wasn’t looking for a job. The Shawnee, Oklahoma, native and mother of three was happy at the large public accounting firm where she’d worked for the past 15 years. So when Robert Kellogg, president of The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, asked her to lead a new initiative to provide account-

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

ing services to Oklahoma Baptist churches, she turned him down. But the more Barham learned about the mission of WatersEdge Ministry Services (the Foundation’s new brand for church loans, investments and accounting), the more excited she became about the

potential Kingdom impact the position could have—saving churches money and creating margin for pastors to focus on ministry. “I told God, ‘OK, I’m going to do what I know You’ve called me to do, because I know You will provide,’” Barham says. She contacted the

“You see these pastors trying to balance everything, and finances can pull their focus away from their calling... WatersEdge is here to relieve that burden…”

SARAH BARHAM, VICE PRESIDENT, MINISTRY ACCOUNTING SERVICES WATERSEDGE MINISTRY SERVICES

Foundation and accepted the job, bringing a wealth of expertise as the new vice president of Ministry Accounting for WatersEdge Ministry Services. Barham’s first goal in her role was to understand how churches handle accounting responsibilities as well as the burden it places on pastors and staff. Between sermon preparation, counseling, discipleship, visitation, committee meetings and the myriad of other demands on a pastor’s time, she wasn’t surprised to learn that accounting simply isn’t a priority. Some churches are forced to pay for-profit public accounting firms to meet the need, while others rely on volunteers from the congregation. But no matter the size of the church, Barham quickly discovered a common thread—while they didn’t have time for it, nearly all the pastors she spoke with recognized the need for proper accounting and expressed a desire for helping to bring their churches in line with best practices. “You see these pastors trying to balance everything, and finances can pull their focus away from their

calling, which is pastoring and discipling,” she says. “WatersEdge is here to relieve that burden so pastors can do what they do best— lead people to Jesus.” Barham explains that a church’s biggest accounting needs typically fall into three categories: bookkeeping, payroll and contribution tracking. Bookkeeping includes monitoring all outgoing and incoming funds (bills, Cooperative Program giving, tithes and offerings), so that a church has an accurate picture of available financial resources at any given time. For payroll, WatersEdge accommodates a church’s pay cycle and ensures employees are paid on time through direct deposit or manual check. Contribution tracking provides each church member with a year-end giving statement for tax purposes. Ministry Accounting services are offered “cafeteria style,” which means

churches can pick and choose which services they would like based upon their unique needs. Pricing varies depending on the services a church chooses, the volume of financial activity within the church, and the number of employees on payroll. “I never imagined I would leave the public sector for the nonprofit world, but God brought me here and He’s already provided in so many unexpected ways,” Barham says. “In every doubt and fear, I’m reassured in abundance—this is what God has called me to do and I am thrilled to help Oklahoma Baptist churches maximize Kingdom impact through our accounting services.” When Barham isn’t crunching numbers, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her husband, Jeff, and their three children: Coby, Creed and Jaycee. She is a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Is WatersEdge Ministry Accounting Right For Your Church? With customizable service options designed to fit any size church, let WatersEdge do the accounting so you can focus on what counts. Start a conversation today with one of our ministry services professionals to learn more. accounting@WatersEdgeServices.org 866.693.8369

WatersEdgeServices.org/accounting bfok.org

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

Drug and alcohol addiction destroys families, but a Christ-centered community is helping former junkies find the path to lifelong sobriety. Find out how your giving is keeping hope alive by breaking the cycle of addiction. BY ANNA DELLINGER | PHOTOS BY HEATHER HAMILTON AND COREY SMITH

eremy Williams knew he had hit a new low point in life when falling out of a third-story window and landing on his face wasn’t rock bottom. A drug-induced seizure caused the fall, and doctors told Williams he should have died. But the near miss wasn’t enough to convince him to get clean. The problem was that he had no one to help him escape his addiction— not even his parents. Physical and verbal abuse defined Williams’ childhood. “My stepdad would say things like, ‘You’re going to be a drug addict. I don’t see you murdering anybody, but I can see you going to jail…’” he remembers. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy. Williams’ addiction eventually led to drug dealing and incarceration. At 18 he was busted by his mom for selling marijuana out of the family’s garage. By 35, Williams and his girlfriend were arrested on charges of child neglect. But that’s just the beginning of the story. Thanks to a Gospel-centered sobriety ministry called Hope is Alive, the course of Williams’ life—and the lives of dozens of other addicts like him—was radically changed. Hope is Alive (HIA) teaches recovering addicts how to live sober and avoid relapse. The roughly 18-month program is built on a holistic approach that emphasizes community, and works by placing recovering addicts together in residential homes where they can build new lives and new identities in a safe environment. HIA founder Lance Lang says Jesus Christ is the source of hope that defines the ministry’s namesake. “Faith is interwoven into everything we do, everything we say, teach,

embody, the environments we create, the love we give— everything,” Lang says. “It’s based on believing that God loves us right where we are and that He’s willing to leave the 99 to chase after the one.” That’s the kind of love that transformed HIA resident Chris Patterson’s life. He knows that where he is today is so much better than what could have been. “From as early as I can remember, my parents were drug addicts,” Patterson says. “They beat the living crap out of each other.” As a 5-year-old, he remembers sometimes waking up to an empty house and being forced to fend for himself. His mother stole money to buy drugs and his father spent time in and out of prison, so Patterson’s grandmother stepped in to raise him. Growing up, Patterson discovered sports as an outlet to cope with the pain. During his senior year he signed a letter of intent to play football at the University of Arkansas. When he wound up spending more time on the bench than he did on the field, he fell headlong into partying. “I was already introduced to it, but at college you go from ankle-deep to waist-deep really quick,” Patterson recalls. “I woke up months later.” After moving back to Oklahoma City, he landed a job at a used car dealership but maintained his habits of heavy drinking and drug abuse. “If something good came to me, I would eventually turn it bad or push it away,” he explains.

FRESH START — Hope is Alive founder Lance Lang has had the privilege of baptizing Kyndell McElwee and many other HIA residents during the course of the program’s six-year history. McElwee says she can hardly believe how different her life is today nearly a year after joining HIA. bfok.org

In contrast to Patterson’s chaotic upbringing, Kyndell McElwee’s home life was relatively stable despite her parents’ divorce. But she was left with an aching hole in her heart when her father died from cancer. She was just 11 years old. McElwee tried to fill that void with whatever she could: first, a boyfriend, and then a cycle of drug abuse and destructive relationships. Pregnant with her first child at 20, McElwee felt pressured into marrying the father, and her life continued to spiral downward. “I had no goals, nothing,” McElwee says. “My life revolved around men and drugs.” After a second son and a divorce, she had two daughters with another man. A failed drug test prompted DHS involvement, ultimately leading to both daughters being adopted. The pain of losing them combined with an abusive relationship destroyed what little remained of McElwee’s self-worth. She remembers thinking, “‘Who’s going to want me?’ It was one of those situations that I didn’t know how to leave because that’s all I knew.”

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: HOME LIFE — (From left to right) Kayleigh Burns, Victoria Matonti and Sydney Hathaway talk with housemate Shayne White as she reads a book in one of HIA’s women’s homes. The HIA program requires a hefty amount of reading to graduate, which encourages continued spiritual growth and leadership development. OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM: BURNING THE PAST — 22-year-old HIA resident Sydney Hathaway (right) burns journal pages written to men who have sexually abused her in the past, as her mentor, Tierra Mythen, provides support. Mythen serves as the Oklahoma City program manager for Hope is Alive.

Dark and lonely thoughts filled McElwee’s head, and in her brokenness she prayed that one morning she simply wouldn’t wake up. Her sons were the only thing that kept her from suicide. “I honestly wanted to die, but I couldn’t. The times that I would start planning how I was going to do it, my boys would pop up in my head, and I couldn’t imagine putting that pain on them. I had no hope.”

A NEW BEGINNING Lance Lang didn’t start Hope is Alive on a whim. He had been in the same dark places as the people he was trying to help. He tried everything from marijuana to LSD, but like many of today’s addicts, settled on prescription pain pills. “Drugs initially gave me this false sense of belonging and took away my inhibitions,” Lang says. “Addiction drives you to do things you never thought you’d do. I found myself being a person that I never thought I would be. I was a liar, a cheater, a thief, a manipulator, a really bad person.” Thank God his story doesn’t end there. The Lord used Lang’s uncle to intervene in 2011, and he has now been sober for eight years. God provided networking opportunities, money and support that Lang says he would never have found on his own that led to the creation of Hope is Alive. “It just really resonated with my heart that the thought of a better future was alive and well. That’s what the name of the organization is really about: new life, restoration, your future—anything is possible,” Lang says.

SEEING ME — “For the longest time, I didn’t look in mirrors because I did not like what I saw. I did not like the person I had become. I hated my life. When I look in the mirror now, I see a mother, I see a friend, a woman of God,” says HIA resident Kyndell McElwee.

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

With a burning desire to serve those like himself, Lang pursued the mission God set before him, and HIA’s first men’s home was opened in March 2013. For Jeremy Williams, Hope is Alive was the last step in the journey to a sober life.

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HIA

FAC E S O F S O B R I E T Y

CHELSEA WILLIAMS, 33

SCOTT HOLLAND, 26

AMY VANSCHUYVER, 34

HARRAH, OK Sober since January 19, 2016 – 3 years

EDMOND, OK Sober since December 26, 2017 – 15 months

ARKANSAS CITY, KS Sober since June 6, 2018 – 10 months

“Without Hope is Alive, I might possibly be dead. I know I would not be sober today. I know I wouldn’t have my family back. I would be this miserable human being with no hope of a better life. This is the happiest I’ve ever been. HIA helped me realize that I can be better than I could possibly imagine.”

“Without HIA, I’d still be lost, drifting through life. Now, I have a purpose. I feel like I found what God wants me to do with my life and Hope is Alive has given me the means to be able to do that.”

“I was horribly sick in my addiction and extremely hopeless. I was facing 20 years in prison and had nothing to live for. Since moving into HIA, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and I’m discovering His purpose for my life. I’ve been radically changed and today I am a house manager for HIA’s Tulsa women’s home. God is moving mountains in my life and I am able to give back by showing the women in my home God’s love.”

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PHOTOS BY COREY SMITH

AMANDA CALLAHAN, 35

TYLER BARNES, 30

BENNY JUSTICE, 37

PIEDMONT, OK Sober since October 4, 2016 – 2 years

CLAREMORE, OK Sober since July 28, 2013 – 5 years

LAWTON, OK Sober since July 10, 2018 – 9 months

“At best I’d be living a meaningless existence, alone and addicted. Worst-case scenario, dead. That’s where I was headed. Because of Hope is Alive, I am living and breathing and loving life! I’m dreaming again and working toward my goals. I’m no longer ashamed of who or what I am, because my relationship with my heavenly Father has been restored.”

“If I hadn’t gotten sober, I was at a point where I wasn’t going to be alive very long or I would be in prison. Because of HIA, God has restored all of the things that I thought that I had lost and would never get back. Hope is Alive showed me that it was okay to dream again and to set goals and to chase after them in the right way.”

“I would probably be dead without Hope is Alive. I would be without Jesus, in the dark. I wouldn’t have any hope and I would probably be in prison. Because of HIA, I found salvation. I am a child of God. I am somebody who has hope. I’m saved. I’m a believer in Christ and I live life how Jesus wants me to. That’s where I’m at.”

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BROTHERS IN THE WORD — Chris Patterson listens as his HIA housemates share thoughts on John 8. Every Hope is Alive resident participates in weekly Bible studies like this one, held in HIA homes and led by residents.

“This is a little group of like-minded individuals that screwed up, decided to turn their lives around, and are doing it through our churches and through Jesus Christ and prayer,” he says. Williams and his girlfriend, Chelsea, graduated from HIA together in December 2017 and were married a few months later. Today, he works as one of the top salesmen at Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City, and Chelsea serves full time on staff at HIA. After months of working with an attorney, they will regain custody of their two sons in June. When Williams thinks about what HIA means to him, he sees opportunity for genuine restoration. “There are a few guys in particular that I remember when they came in. They were like me. I’m like, ‘Look man, a few years seems like an eternity, but it gets better and better… Then you know what? You’re on your own and you get your kids back or think about getting married or this or that. The good things keep coming. Just make sure you’re doing the right thing.’” Chris Patterson’s two children are his world, but his addictions kept him from raising them like he wanted. Today, he is eight months into HIA’s program and is

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

breaking the generational cycle of addiction that has haunted his family. He is also learning to be a godly father. “HIA is literally pulling out the bad and immediately replacing it with something that’s going to fulfill you,” Patterson says. His face lights up when we he thinks about his experiences in his HIA home. “I love my life, legit. I wake up, and I’ve got to make people laugh before I leave the house. It’s crazy how joyous, happy and free I am.” Someday, Patterson hopes to run a barbershop or a clothing store because he’s passionate about people feeling good about their self-image. More importantly, he is saving up to buy a three-bedroom house with plenty of room for himself, his daughter and his son. His old life doesn’t weigh him down anymore. “I don’t have to bear that shame. I walk fully devoted in Christ,” he says.

LEAP OF FAITH Lance Lang had walked the same road as many of the addicts he serves at HIA. His wife’s story is different. “I don’t really know why God used me, because I’m not an addict myself,” Ally Lang says, but that didn’t stop her

from following the Lord’s call. With her husband’s encouragement, she began HIA’s women’s program in December 2015, and it has since grown from a single home to four. Today, Ally manages logistics for all 13 HIA homes, but her passion remains focused on building relationships. “We speak Jesus over these women and we believe in them until they can believe in themselves,” she says. Women like Kyndell McElwee. By the time she was referred to HIA, McElwee’s circumstances had gotten so bad she was ready to check in to a hospital emergency room just to have a safe place to sleep. She arrived at the doorstep of one of HIA’s women’s homes carrying only a trash bag of clothes, and the rest is history. Today, two dates tell more of McElwee’s transformation story than words ever could: May 14, 2018—the day she became sober, and Aug. 19, 2018— the day she was baptized. “I actually know I’m worth something, which is huge for me, because the past 15 years of my life have just been crazy,” she says. The future looks bright for McElwee, with God providing more opportunities to see her children and ways to give back at Hope is Alive. “My goal after graduation is to get hired on staff at HIA,” she adds with a smile. “It’s like nowhere that I’ve ever been in my life.”

KILLING THE WAIT LIST McElwee, Williams and Patterson represent a handful of the dozens of HIA success stories, but what’s not as visible are the thousands of others who could be helped if more resources were available. “One of the biggest challenges I face is having to say no, because we’re always at capacity in our homes, and so we’re always operating off of a wait list, and that’s really tough,” Ally explains. “To not have the opportunity to have those beds available is heartbreaking for me, for that potential resident and for that resident’s family.” In order to see even more lives changed, the Langs are praying for God to provide seven new homes by the end of 2020. Adding these seven to the existing 13 in less than two years is no small feat, since HIA currently opens only one new house about every six months. Lang is targeting several areas in Oklahoma where HIA has no presence, as well as potential locations in other states.

TOP: MOVING FORWARD — Jeremy and Chelsea Williams will regain full custody of their two sons, Kaydenn (left), 8, and Skylarr, 10, in June. On the weekends, they spend time together as a family with their dog, Ruben. BOTTOM: I DO — Months after graduating from Hope is Alive, Jeremy and Chelsea Williams (right) were married in April 2017 by Lance Lang, with Ally Lang (left) serving as Chelsea’s maid of honor. Though they’re the founders of HIA, the Langs form deep relationships with many of the residents.

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FAST FACTS

HIA

HOW YOUR GIVING HELPS HOPE IS ALIVE BREAK THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION

THE PROGRAM

TOTAL HOMES

127

TOTAL RESIDENTS (as of April, 2019)

70%

MALE RESIDENTS

30%

FEMALE RESIDENTS

8-10 RESIDENTS PER HOME

5% Benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs)

15 MONTHS AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY

(other programs avg. 3-5 months)

WHAT ADDICTIONS ARE HIA RESIDENTS RECOVERING FROM?

AVERAGE RESIDENT AGE

10% Methamphetamine 20% Alcohol 65% Opiates (prescription painkillers)

LIVES CHANGED

30% 70%

GRADUATES SINCE 2013

HIA MISSION STATEMENT

AVERAGE NATIONAL RELAPSE RATE

Radically changing the lives of drug addicts, alcoholics and those who love them.

PROJECTED GRADUATES IN 2019

RESIDENTS BAPTIZED SINCE 2013

HIA RELAPSE RATE

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RESIDENTS BAPTIZED SINCE JANUARY 2018

March, 2013 HIA MEN’S PROGRAM FOUNDED

December, 2015 HIA WOMEN’S PROGRAM FOUNDED

HIA RESIDENTIAL HOMES TULSA, OK METRO AREA

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK METRO AREA

Current home locations Future home locations

H O W YO U C A N H E L P GIVE MONEY

GIVE TIME

$250$350k 65

AVERAGE COST TO OPEN A NEW HIA RESIDENTIAL HOME

$100$125k

HIA BUDGET DEPENDENT ON DONATIONS

ANNUAL COST TO RUN HIA RECOVERY PROGRAM PER HOME

A donor advised fund (DAF), charitable gift annuity, estate plan or other planned giving vehicle are excellent options for supporting HIA financially. The Foundation’s planned giving experts can help you multiply your gift and maximize tax benefits. Contact us today to learn how. give@bfok.org

800.949.9988

PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION BECOME AN HIA MENTOR VOLUNTEER IN HIA’S OFFICES TEACH A LIFE SKILLS CLASS CONTRIBUTE A MEAL FOR A HOUSE DONATE FURNITURE OR APPLIANCES Would you or your church like to be involved in the ministry of HIA? Visit HopeIsAlive.net/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

bfok.org/give bfok.org

TOP: EYES ON THE PRIZE — Zack Pryse and Leslie Kearns push through an obstacle course at the 2019 HIA Olympic Games. Dozens of residents compete in team-building activities and celebrate sobriety at the annual event, one of many designed to cultivate unity and build relationships within the program. BOTTOM: POWER COUPLE — Lance and Ally Lang are the driving force behind life change at Hope is Alive. This husband and wife team pours their hearts into HIA residents, from organizing events like the HIA Olympics to making unexpected trips to the emergency room.

“We’ve gotten here one house at a time, one relationship at a time and one fundraiser at a time,” Lang explains. “That’s still where we are today, but we believe that these communities need homes, all throughout Oklahoma.” Each HIA home is large enough to host 8-10 residents, with plenty of space for parking. Location in a metropolitan environment is vital for easily accessible transportation, quality 12-step meetings, and abundant opportunity for employment and volunteerism. “We want our residents to be able to pull into a good neighborhood and feel proud about the place they call home,” Lang says. “We believe that really does provide encouragement and builds up their ability to make better choices for themselves.”

MORE THAN REHAB HIA homes are not typical sober-living environments. Once an addict exits a detox or rehab facility, they often aren’t ready to return to everyday life without a strong support system. While many sober-living and addiction recovery programs focus on breaking an individual’s initial physiological addiction, Hope is Alive seeks to change behaviors by going deeper and forming new patterns over many months. “We want our people to be completely whole when they leave us,” Ally explains. “In order to do that, we have to unpack all of those lies we’ve told ourselves, all those behaviors we’ve become addicted to, and all those substances we’ve become addicted to.” It’s not easy. Residents are required to complete three phases of HIA’s program before graduating. “Phase work” focuses on spiritual growth, leadership development, intentional mentoring, life skills training, community service and family restoration. “We have to dig deep, which sometimes can be rough… and that’s good because I’ve never had to do that,”

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

DADDY-DAUGHTER DATE — Whether going to the movies, getting pedicures or anything in between, there’s no doubt that HIA resident Chris Patterson loves spending time with his 6-year-old daughter, Aliyah. “When I’m with her there’s no place I’d rather be,” he says.

McElwee says. “It’s nice being around a bunch of other people and seeing that I’m not the only one with issues. We all have different stories, but we’re all so much alike.”

more hope to continue in the direction that I’m in and not worry about my mistakes, not worry about my flaws, just keep going and continue to grow.”

Though day-to-day life in each HIA home is very structured, the residents are encouraged to bring an air of celebration and fun to every aspect of life. Men and women form genuine friendships unlike many of them have had since they were children. Affirmation abounds.

That kind of attitude and the dozens of changed lives of HIA graduates is exactly why HIA’s founders believe their sacrifice is worthwhile.

“I know I’m going to be accepted exactly where I’m at by my brothers in Christ,” Patterson says. “That gives me

Give Hope Get Help

“Ally and I have given our lives to Hope is Alive,” Lang says. “We’ve invested everything in it because we believe it’s effective, and that the Gospel is at work through it. We believe that the best is yet to come.”

Hope is Alive’s (HIA) Gospel-centered program aids dozens of recovering addicts who are learning to live sober and avoid relapse. Your giving enables HIA to provide the homes, community and accountability needed to restore lives and heal families. The Foundation can multiply your gifts and help you leave a legacy that will benefit Hope is Alive for decades to come. Start a conversation with our planned giving professionals today. give@bfok.org

800.949.9988

bfok.org/give

If you or a loved one struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, Hope is Alive is ready to help. 844.3.HopeNow

HopeIsAlive.net bfok.org

IS AN

IRA Charitable Rollover RIGHT FOR YOU?

Support ministry and reduce taxable income using your retirement account. BY CHRISTA ROGERS

No tax is incurred on the withdrawal from your IRA, so these gifts do not qualify for an income tax charitable deduction. However, they have the benefit of lowering taxes by reducing your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Unlike many other charitable gifts, this tax strategy can benefit you even if you do not itemize.

If you are 70 1⁄2 or older and own an IRA, 401(k) or 403(b), this may be a great giving strategy for you. Individuals can contribute up to $100,000 from a retirement account directly to charitable causes, like your church or other ministries. (Couples filing jointly may contribute up to $200,000.) The IRS calls this type of gift a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), and it can satisfy your retirement account’s Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)—the amount you must withdraw from your IRA every year after you turn 70 1⁄2 .

It is critical to understand the gift will not qualify as a tax-free transfer if you withdraw funds first and then make your donation. Instead, the funds from your IRA must be given directly to the ministries you want to support.

HOW IT WORKS 1 Donate directly from IRA to ministry

IRA 70 1⁄2 or older

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

QCD

2 Reduce taxable income

Giving Scenarios

Amy donates a portion of her IRA’s RMD as a gift (QCD) to ministry.

Amy donates her entire IRA’s RMD as a gift (QCD) to ministry.

Amy donates her entire IRA’s RMD as a gift (QCD) to ministry and donates an additional $5,000.*

$15,000

Annual RMD

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

Donation (QCD)

IMPACT

$5,000

of Amy’s RMD remains and will count toward her taxable income.

of Amy’s RMD income is taxable, lowering her adjusted gross income by $15,000.

of Amy’s RMD income is taxable. Her additional $5,000 gift may count as a tax deduction.

*Additional donations made as QCDs above Amy’s RMD do not count toward RMDs for future years.

“Our tax man is a Christian and he suggested an IRA charitable rollover as a way to reduce our taxable income while helping others at the same time. We chose to give to Baptist Village Communities’ Adams Fund, which provides financial assistance to meet the day-to-day needs of dozens of senior adults with limited incomes.” - GIL KETTLER, Oklahoma City, OK bfok.org

Worth the

WA I T What happens when a sleepy country church wakes up to find itself unprepared for the biggest period of growth in 100 years? BY TAPRINA MILBURN

egret can haunt a church for years. Thankfully, God brings new opportunities that can erase all memory of what could have been. Years ago, when Oakdale Baptist Church was located in a rural area of Oklahoma City, a developer offered to sell the church land for future use. But the congregation declined the offer because they thought it was too expensive and couldn’t imagine ever needing room to grow. Today, Oakdale’s current leadership

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

has refused to make the same mistake twice.

value education and resources for their kids.”

Justin Ford has pastored the church since 2005. During that time he’s witnessed an abundance of change and growth. Gone are the farmers’ fields and pastures that once surrounded the church; they’ve been replaced with new homes, gated neighborhoods, businesses and schools.

To better reach and serve the young families flocking to Oakdale’s community, the church began to prioritize its nursery, children’s ministry and youth ministry.

“We have a young community and a school district here that is one of the best in the state,” Ford explains. “People move here because they

When Ford first came to Oakdale, there had already been a building project to accommodate the membership surge, but within two years

“We’ve had all the opportunities to minister and do outreach, but our facilities make that difficult,” Ford says.

GROWING TOGETHER — WatersEdge Ministry Services President Jerry Vaughan (left) and Oakdale Baptist Church Senior Pastor Justin Ford stand outside the church’s new worship center, which is slated to open in July. Oakdale members raised more than half the cost of the $4.7 million facility, and WatersEdge provided financing for the remainder.

of constructing a new worship center, the congregation had already outgrown it. The church needed more space, but steep land prices and lack of availability complicated matters. The church also knew it didn’t want to leave the Oakdale community to find space. “We believed that if God put the opportunity before us, we had to fulfill that responsibility, and in His time, He would show us how to do that,” Ford remembers. “So, we just tried to be patient.”

“We believed that if God put the opportunity before us, we had to fulfill that responsibility, and in His time, He would show us how to do that,” Ford remembers.

For ten years they waited, exercising patience, prayer and steadfast fundraising until God provided the perfect scenario: an opportunity to purchase 18 acres less than a mile from the church’s current location.

A $2 million loan from WatersEdge allowed Oakdale to begin the first phase of building in July 2018, which includes a 540-seat worship center, nursery and children’s facility. The church will proceed with phase two after the sale of its current building.

The cost of the first phase of the building project is $4.7 million. Oakdale raised more than half the funds and then started shopping for a loan to finance the rest. They chose to partner with WatersEdge Ministry Services, The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma’s new brand for church loan, investment and accounting services. “We looked at several lending institutions, but WatersEdge had the advantage because we knew that the interest we were going to pay on our loan would go back to ministry and missions, and that is something you can’t overlook,” he says.

Oakdale will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2020, and the church continues the difficult process of

making changes in order to remain relevant and minister to the needs of a vibrant, growing community. “Every time we’ve had an opportunity to add space for more people, we’ve seen exponential growth,” Ford says. “Now we are at a crossroads of not knowing what God will do next, but we know we will see a blessing that we didn’t even dream of.”

Grow Your Ministry With A Loan That Gives Back To Kingdom Causes Our rates are highly competitive, and unlike traditional lenders, WatersEdge pours loan interest back into Southern Baptist ministries that touch lives with the Gospel. Apply online today. WatersEdge Ministry Services is The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma’s new brand for church loan, investment and accounting services. loans@WatersEdgeServices.org 866.693.8369

WatersEdgeServices.org/loans bfok.org

FOUNDATION NEWS CHRISTA ROGERS

STEPHANIE KITTS

MEGAN MCCOY

Vice President of Donor Relations crogers@bfok.org

Controller skitts@bfok.org

Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office mmccoy@bfok.org

If there was an award for the most miles traveled by a Foundation staff member, it would belong to Christa Rogers. Rogers drives more than 2,000 miles each month across Oklahoma to build relationships with donors and church partners. “I love hearing their life stories and how they fell in love with a particular cause,” she says. Rogers served as the Foundation’s Director of Donor Relations for two years and was recently named Vice President of Donor Relations. Her role focuses on engaging donors and educating them about the advantages of various giving opportunities available through the Foundation. “The donors I work with are very passionate about the projects they’re supporting,” she says. “It’s a joy to see how excited they feel about their gifts.” Rogers and her husband, Tim, have a 2-year-old son, Charlie, and a daughter on the way. The couple are active members of First Baptist Church, Tulsa.

G E N E R O S I T Y Spring/Summer 2019

From the decor in her office to the smile on her face, Stephanie Kitts’ heart for missions is hard to miss. She is passionate about her work with the Foundation because it allows her to support others who are on the front lines of ministry, sharing the Gospel and planting churches. Kitts, who served as assistant controller for three years, recently stepped into the controller role, overseeing trust, operating, investments and church extension fund accounting as it relates to the Foundation’s audited financial statements. “I like to do accounting, which is weird,” she says. “God has gifted us all in a different way, and with my skill set, I get to have a Kingdom impact, strengthen ministry and be that support that allows others to do their mission.” Kitts and her husband, Stephen, have been married nine years and live in Blanchard with their three children: Heston, 5, and twins, Logan and Berkley, 2. Their family is active at Blanchard’s First Baptist Church.

Megan McCoy’s million-watt smile is likely the first thing you’ll see when visiting the Foundation’s offices. The recent Oklahoma Baptist University grad serves as administrative assistant to the executive office, which includes manning and managing the Foundation’s front desk. McCoy brings organization and a love of serving others to her role. “I like making sure everything runs smoothly,” she says. Her responsibilities include event planning, board preparation and creating a positive client experience for Foundation guests. “Even if I’m redirecting calls or taking notes at a meeting, it’s good to know that we really are making a Kingdom impact.” McCoy is an active member of First Southern Baptist Church, Del City.

NAMB PHOTO BY DANIEL MCCULLOUGH

LAST LOOK REACHING THE NATIONS

Philip Nache and his wife serve as North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries in Minneapolis, working to reach first-generation African immigrants who now call the city home. Nache originally grew up and ministered in Nigeria before Boko Haram threatened him and his family. He studied at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and thought he would return to Africa before God disrupted Nacheâ€™s plans. Today, Nache pastors Hope of Nations Gospel Church in downtown Minneapolis, where a significant number of African immigrants resettle. The Foundation can help you multiply your giving to support NAMB missionaries like Nache. Connect with a planned giving professional at 800.949.9988 or give@bfok.org. You can also give online at bfok.org/give.

New name. Expanded services. Still committed to serving and strengthening Oklahoma Baptist churches. The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma is proud to introduce WatersEdge Ministry Services — our new brand for church loan, investment and accounting services.

MINISTRY INVESTMENTS • Grow cash assets • Above-market rates • Term Deposits (similar to a CD) • Enhanced Cash Fund (like a money market)

CHURCH LOANS • New construction, refinancing, renovation & small loans • Competitive rates • Loan interest returned to ministry

MINISTRY ACCOUNTING • Bookkeeping & reporting • Contribution tracking • Payroll services • Financial statement preparation

• No prepayment penalty

Learn more at WatersEdgeServices.org