It’s often said that statistics are often sterile, cold and boring. There’s an old adage that even draws the connection between statistics and lying. As true as these statements may be, sometimes data, charts, graphs and raw numbers give us the basis for a picture as nothing else can.
The Louisiana Baptist Foundation uses numbers, statistics and dollar figures in our annual financial statement and the Book of Reports for the annual meeting.
These figures are used to show how well the Foundation is managing the assets entrusted to it. The reports also show that the LBF continues to do the job of encouraging gifts made through trusts, bequests and other estate stewardship planning concepts. All the numbers may give a snapshot of the Foundation and its purpose, but don’t show the finer details of how the assets are used to impact the lives of people.
In the ten-year period from January 2000 through December 2009, the Louisiana Baptist Foundation paid out $42,404,877 to churches, entities, ministries and institutions associated with the Louisiana and Southern Baptist Conventions.
The underlying reason that the Foundation is able to make these distributions is: Because someone gave!
Much of this amount was paid to churches in the form of interest from their savings in the Foundation’s Short Term Fund.
The interest paid to the churches helped them achieve their own ministry goals and be better stewards of God’s money.
But much of the distributions were derived from trusts, endowments, or bequests that specified Baptist agencies and institutions to help enhance their specific purpose.
Take a look at what has taken place with some of these ministries: Because someone gave.
Louisiana College
A young man who is trying to overcome poor choices in his life receives assistance from LC to transfer from another school so that he can complete his education.
A student whose family has suffered hardship because of the loss of a family member is helped, making it possible for him to attend LC.
A burly Wildcat football player sits down in the middle of a group of squirming kids and calmly delivers the children’s sermon.
Louisiana College is able to offer a Christian educational environment that allows these young people the opportunity to start fresh, to persevere despite life’s hardships, and to develop spiritual leadership: Because someone gave.
Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home
Children find their way to the Children’s Home in a variety of ways. As they tell their own story through a video link on the LBCH website, some of the children there have been abandoned, some were orphaned, and some have parents who aren’t able to provide the care they need. These kids come to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home with reluctance and apprehension, and some are just plain scared.
But they come to know that the cottage parents love them, that the whole staff loves them, and most importantly that God loves them. They learn of the hope they have in Jesus Christ: Because someone gave.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
The Foundation receives numerous cards of thanks every semester from NOBTS students who are recipients of scholarships managed by the LBF. There are men and women; some are single, some married, some married with kids in tow. They come from across the state, from neighboring states and literally around the world. Degree pursuits include Bachelors of Biblical Studies, Masters of Religious Education, Masters of Arts in Family Ministry and Doctorate of Theology.
These students are/will be pastors, education/youth/children’s ministers, counselors and missionaries. They will impact the world for Christ… Because someone gave.
Along with the ministries above, the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, missions offerings, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and many other entities all receive funds given through the Louisiana Baptist Foundation.
Each of these ministry organizations receives Cooperative Program support and many solicit direct gifts on their own. The Foundation helps support these institutions by encouraging and assisting individuals with Estate Stewardship, which is giving from total assets instead of current income only.
Examples of recent gifts that reflect estate stewardship planning are:
A gift of land into a Charitable Remainder Trust that will ultimately benefit the donor’s church, Louisiana College and the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.
Life insurance proceeds that will support World Hunger.
A bequest that provides funds to a Baptist seminary overseas.
A Donor Advised Fund that benefits a New Orleans area church ministering in a post-Katrina neighborhood.
Estate Stewardship Planning starts with the desire to give that is instilled by the Holy Spirit. It continues with careful consideration of the assets you hold and determining the best avenue and timing of the gift.
Estate Stewardship culminates with the peace and satisfaction of knowing you have created a lasting legacy that can minister to others and lead them to salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Louisiana Baptist Foundation can help you get started with the task of estate stewardship planning.
We have tools, resources and experience for you to rely on so when more statistics are given and more stories are told about someone giving, that someone could be you!