Last Sunday, I had the joy of sharing an exciting update about the Tithe Fund. If you were not there, I want to make sure you hear the good news! Many of you are familiar with the Foundation’s Faith Fund, which provides grants to organizations making a difference in our community, like those we celebrate each year on Foundation Sunday. You may not be as familiar with the Foundation’s additional funds, which support other essential aspects of our church’s life. In 2019, the Foundation Board took a bold step and created the Tithe Fund, a fund designed to sustain our church’s daily ministry and operations. Over the years, a few faithful donors have contributed to the Tithe Fund, and by the end of 2024, the fund had grown to about $82,000.
I am thrilled to share that this fund is about to grow in a remarkable way! In late 2024, our Finance Committee voted unanimously to expand the Tithe Fund. Over the course of 2025, more than $700,000 will be transferred from church-governed accounts to the investment accounts of the First Baptist Foundation. This includes the 2024 tithe gift from the Stogner estate, which was not required for us to meet budget, along with previous undesignated memorial contributions and investment assets that have grown during a period of financial stability, generous giving, and market growth.
When these transfers are complete, the Tithe Fund will hold more than three-quarters of a million dollars—designated specifically to provide for the long-term sustainability of First Baptist Greenville. This is a moment to celebrate! Through faithful stewardship and the generosity of our members, we are building a financial foundation that will allow us to live out our mission for years to come. Thanks be to God!
If you’re interested in learning how you can make a planned gift to the Tithe Fund through your will, a trust, or an IRA bequest, we invite you to contact the church office. This is a wonderful way to endow your giving to First Baptist, ensuring that your generosity continues to make a lasting impact for years to come.
—Carol