A Surprise Partnership

An excerpt from...

A Surprise Partnership

By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
January-March 2014

On August 19, 2013, Berea Bible Seminary in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, dedicated newly built married-student housing, which will provide living space for families attending the seminary. As missionaries Rick and Lori Lampen attended the service, they marveled at the miraculous way the project had come about. Married-student housing had been desperately needed for years, but funding had been difficult to procure.

Almost two years ago, the World Gospel Mission headquarters office received a phone call from Bob Swales, who was acting as estate executor for his in-laws, Harold and Ruth Sipek. No one knew how Harold and Ruth had heard of WGM, but their estate entrusted over $300,000 to WGM. Bob explained that the family wanted to choose projects that would help the church grow, equip future leaders, and make a lasting difference for the kingdom.

“From my position as field director, special gifts and blessings such as this assist in relationship building between the mission and our ministry partners,” said Rick. “I appreciate the seminary, its vision, and its mission to prepare our future leaders. When I first told the rector of the seminary, Luisa De Nuñez, about the gift, her response was: ‘Amen, amen, and amen!’ She had been praying about this need for over a year now, and had no idea where the funds would come from, but had faith the Lord would provide. This gift has truly made a substantial impact in the lives of our young seminary students.”

And still, one of the most amazing things about this gift is that it came about completely unexpectedly. Although no one knows how Mr. and Mrs. Sipek discovered WGM, God had clearly laid WGM on their hearts years ago and He gave them a desire to leave a lasting legacy for the kingdom. Because of the Sipeks’ obedience and faithfulness, many people will find the light of the gospel throughout South America and the world.

GIVE: Be a part of building the church in Bolivia by daonting to Berea Bible Seminiary. Make checks payable to World Gospel Mission and write account #422613-CALL on the memo line. 

Send check donations to:

World Gospel Mission
P.O. Box 948
Marion, IN 46952-0948

Legacy of Hope

An excerpt from...

Legacy of Hope

By Maria Martin, Volunteer
January-March 2014

New Hope Church is home to a small congregation in Lewisville, a small town in rural Indiana. At first glance, this congregation is the quintessential small town church, but the people of New Hope have a better grasp on true Christian community than most.

Founded in 1967, the congregation of about 80 split a few years ago. Attendance decreased following the split, and it became apparent that keeping the property would be unreasonable for such a small group. The church board decided on April 3, 2013, to dissolve the church and sell the property. The church closed soon after.

At a small ceremony in July 2013, former church members gathered to carry out what was instructed in church bylaws: to divide the substantial remaining funds from the sale of the property equally among three different missions organizations—World Gospel Mission, One Mission Society, and World Missionary Press. Tears were shed, testimonies and fond memories were shared, and, although many in the room were strangers, a deep sense of community in the body of Christ bound the group together.

Christian community, as this little gathering of people discovered, is not defined by a common way of life, by the place people live, or even by friendship. Rather, it is a bond created by a shared desire to work toward the common goal of fulfilling the Great Commission. This little ceremony is proof that, surrounded by Christian community, even the closing of a church can be a source of real hope.

GIVE: Do you want to leave behind a legacy of hope? Visit www.wgm.org/will or contact Shelly McCollum, WGM’s chief financial officer, at stewardship@wgm.org or 765.671.7247 to learn more about how you can leave a part of your estate to WGM.

Checklist for Estate Planning

An excerpt from...

Checklist for Estate Planning

By Mark Moore, Support Staff
October-December 2013

The first step in estate planning is to have a will or living trust agreement that meets your current needs. If you’ve already done that, you can put a big check mark on your list. If it’s been a few years since you had those documents prepared, the next step will be to have your attorney bring those documents up to date. Can you check off the following items?

• My choice for executor (or successor trustee), guardians, and trustees for my minor children, and any alternates, are the best choices under my present circumstances.
• I’ve designated the distribution of any specific property, accounts, or personal items I wish to go to particular family members or friends.
• I’ve stated how the balance of my estate is to be distributed and I’ve considered the inclusion of charitable organizations, such as my church and missions organizations.

So far, so good. Now you need to make sure your documents are stored in a safe place and that you’ve notified your family where they can be located. Keep a current list of assets with your important papers, including bank accounts, investments, property deeds, car titles, etc. That will save your family time and aggravation. We’re making progress!

Next, consider having a durable power of attorney. This will allow your spouse, trusted friend, or family member to sign financial and legal papers on your behalf during your lifetime. That will come in handy if you become incapacitated or if you’re away from home and need someone to care for your financial affairs.

Finally, it would be good to have an advance directive for healthcare, stating your desires regarding important healthcare decisions should you become incapacitated. If you don’t wish for life support to be continued when the end is near, you will also want a living will to be included.

If you have questions about planned giving, please contact Mark Moore at stewardship@wgm.org or 765.661.2803.

Seeds of Blessings

Estate Planning: Seeds of Blessings

By Melanie Miller, Honduras

January-March 2013

She raised her six young children alone, by no fault of her own. Her husband of 20 years had died from medical malpractice. Her shoulders were weighted with the insecurity of the unknown. But with humble, tenacious faith, she looked for, fiercely claimed, and stood on the promises of God’s care for the widowed and orphaned. Her faith was honored by a God who never fails. This woman is my grandmother, Lovina Miller.

The little girl was eight years old, and the day began as any other day...only to culminate with the first of many seizures in the years to come. Options for treatment were few. Lacking financial resources, the family could only place the young child in God’s care despite her continued seizures. “God gave me my daughter, and I have given her back to Him. He is the one who must provide,” said her mother, at peace but broken over the pain and suffering of her youngest child. This child is Heydi Selena Maldonado Estrada, a member of Shalom Church and a friend of our family.

A life of faith lived in the Midwest produced seeds of blessing. Upon Lovina’s death, she designated part of her estate to mission work. God took those seeds of blessing and blew them all the way to Choluteca, Honduras, where Mark and I plant, water, and pray they blossom into blessing.

Through the gift of Grandma’s faithful living, Heydi was offered the opportunity to seek specialized care in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Upon her first visit, her medication was changed and she has been seizure free. The true test lies in the upcoming months. Will you pray with us for a miracle for Heydi?

What challenges me is the impact of Grandma’s life that continues on, long after her death. Imagine touching others far beyond your own ways, means, and even duration of life. Are you living in a way that provokes God’s blessing?

GIVE: Create your own seeds of blessings by creating an estate plan. For assistance, contact Mark Moore, WGM attorney, at 765.661.2803. All discussions will be held at no charge and in complete confidence.

Don't Let the Government Decide

An excerpt from Don't let the Government Decide
By Tim Rickel, Support Staff
July/August 2010

I don’t know anyone who enjoys thinking about the possibility of dying. I also don’t know anyone who would like the courts to decide what happens to their children or how their estate is divided up. So if you are one of the millions of folks who have thought, “I’ll worry about that later,” I encourage you to call or write to WGM today and ask for more information on what you can do to make sure that you leave clear instructions on how you want your estate handled when you are no longer here.

Contact Shelly McCollum, WGM’s chief financial officer:

World Gospel Mission
Stewardship Office
3783 East State Road 18
P.O. Box 948
Marion, IN 46952-0948
Phone: 765.671.7247
E-mail: stewardship@wgm.org