One of the least known, best things our church and our convention does is the “Adopt an Annuitant” program, administered through Guidestone.
Many retired pastors and their survivors were unable to lay aside retirement income while they did ministry in a different time. Most of the options available to me were never available to them. As a result, many of them don’t have enough to make it, day to day.
I am told that we are currently helping about 2,200 “adoptees” on a regular basis. We also help many one time needs of catastrophic illness or other things that would send poor preachers and their wives or widows over the edge. These fellow workers live on a tight fixed income, and a little turbulence is enough to cause major disruption in their lives.
Brothers and Sisters, this program is a legacy of which our denomination can be proud. These folks have served the Lord faithfully for years, pouring out lives of sacrifice, and we are able to help them in the sunset of their years on this earth.
I was told by someone at Guidestone that my church has just reached the $10,000 mark in giving to this program over the last seven years. We don’t give much, really, but we send a check every month. Apparently, consistency is MUCH more important than big donations. Just in case you don’t know, I’ve been here a month, so you can chalk this mark up to the kindhearted nature of my church – not me.
Interested in doing something positive related to the SBC? Check out this link:
I would like to challenge you to consider putting just a small amount in your budget for this program next year. You will be amazed what a little faithfulness will do.
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GeneMBridges
on Aug 17th, 2006
@ 2:58 pm:
Let me tell you folks something about this program.
My best friend was in seminary when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was unable to complete his third year. He died six months after being diagnosed at the age of 26.
Thanks to this very program and the insurance provided by the Annuity Board, his family did not have to pay any hospital bills, and his funeral was paid for. The seminary itself stored his material possessions on campus for a semester because they were unable to come and get them.
This program truly is a Godsend.
Dave Samples
on Aug 17th, 2006
@ 3:33 pm:
I can “Amen” the Annuity board (Guidestone…excuse me) for their efforts in this. My dad started and pastored small churches through the “pioneer” states his entire ministry. He has very little in the way of retirement and yet he receives a check from Guidestone every month. They even help with grants for medical bills.
Bart Barber
on Aug 17th, 2006
@ 4:12 pm:
Our deacons collect money in deacons meeting every month for this program. They’re very faithful in supporting it, and have been for years. I echo the positive words that Art and everyone else have said about this program.
Kevin Bussey
on Aug 17th, 2006
@ 6:14 pm:
That is great to hear that it helps those less fortunate. In Acts 4:34 it says “There were no needy persons among them.”