e assist with many different kinds of planned gifts that serve to enhance the ministries of United Methodist individuals, churches and institutions in Arkansas through “Faith Funds.” Faith Funds are literally a gift that keeps on giving as permanent endowment funds we create and administer with the ultimate purpose of furthering the kingdom of God throughout the state. Learn how different types of planned gifts can help you meet your personal, financial and estate planning goals.
Strengthening Conference Ministries
he United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas strengthens conference ministries, brings glory to God, and supports the United Methodist connection by preserving and growing United Methodist ministries forever.
Some United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas endowments are designated by donors to specific local churches or other United Methodist ministries. Others are undesignated and enable the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas Board to make grants to respond to ministry opportunities in the future we can’t anticipate or imagine today.
Transforming Lives
Dewitt and Cindy
“I’m a long-term planner. The future of our children is to get United Methodist trained pastors into our churches to teach and preach the Wesleyan culture,” said Dewitt Smith of Bella Vista. “I define that culture as taking it to the streets and living your faith.”
The Smiths contribute to the Foundation’s Seminary Scholarship Fund which funds three-year educations at United Methodist seminaries for young pastors who agree to come back to the Arkansas Conference to serve local churches. Helping students get out of seminary with little or no debt means they are more focused and better able to serve our local churches.
“I didn’t grow up Methodist, but I see how it influenced Dewitt, and I am so happy our daughter and our son had good experiences in the church,” said Cindy. It’s now being passed on to our grandchildren.”
Nan
Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Jonesboro is home to generations of families who have nurtured its building and grounds with care and keeping it alive with activities. Senior Pastor Nan Nelson called Jim Argue at the Foundation for help when a local bank’s fees were eating up a very large part of the annual income from a trust that was to be used to benefit the church.
The large bequest was moved to the Foundation where the people of our church don’t have to manage the money, but have full say in how it is used. “We have a place to put money where it will grow and a path to follow on how to use it,” Nan said.
