FIRST THOUGHTS

David Hull, Pastor

First Baptist Church has a wonderful means of allowing gifts to keep on giving. It is called the First Baptist Church Foundation. Donations that are placed in the Foundation are invested so that the original gift is never spent, but the interest earnings can be used each year. This is literally a gift that continues to give forever. I am grateful for the presence of the Foundation that allows us to consider stewardship which will go far beyond our own lifetimes. Let me share some news related to the Foundation.

On Wednesday night, March 17, officers of the Foundation are going to recognize Charles Rollins for a recent gift of $50,000 to the Foundation. These funds are being invested in the Capital Needs section of the Foundation. In future years the earnings from this gift will be used for the upkeep and improvement of our facilities. We are very grateful to Charles Rollins for this most generous gift to the Foundation and will express our gratitude on Wednesday night. I hope that you can join us for the event.

Direct gifts such as made by Charles are not the only way to give to the Foundation. Another approach is to specify in your Will that a portion of your estate be left to the Foundation of First Baptist Church. Just as your faithful stewardship while you are living supports the missions and ministry of the church, so a bequest will provide funds that can continue to give in perpetuity after your death. I encourage you to take the time to specify your stewardship wishes in your Will that continues to support the ministry of the church.

Finally, you will notice the announcement below from the Foundation about memorial gifts. This is another excellent way to remember the work of the Foundation and to let expressions of love at the time of a death be an opportunity to continue giving.

The First Baptist Church Foundation is a purposeful way for our stewardship to continue to support the missions and ministries of the church that we love. I encourage you to think of ways that you can help us to grow the Foundation so that future generations in this church will be blessed by the commitments that we have made today.