Spivey Charts Course for Church of God Foundation
Rev. T. Dwight Spivey was appointed director of the Church of God Foundation at the International General Assembly last July, succeeding Rev. Clayton Watson who accepted an appointment as administrative bishop of Minnesota.
Established in 2001, the Church of God Foundation has been, “engaged in serving the church as a financial services ministry, working to establish strategic partnerships with generous donors and skilled professionals in order to help increase the impact of local church ministries across the United States and around the world.”
Spivey has served as an evangelist, youth minister, senior pastor, district youth director, and district bishop as well as being appointed to regional and international boards and committees. He pastored for 20 years in Maryland, Delaware, and Southern Ohio. Since 1992, he has been appointed to numerous state and international leadership positions, including administrative bishop in Hawaii, New York, and Eastern North Carolina, and the last four years in Michigan. He has also served as administrative coordinator of USA Missions.
In helping to define the Foundation’s purpose, Spivey explained the changing financial climate in today’s economy.
“Unfortunately, many banks have chosen to curtail their relationships with local churches,” Spivey related. “Sometimes a growing church will have a difficult time securing financing from a local bank for expansion, renovation, new construction or purchase of new facilities. The Foundation has helped bridge that gap in many cases.”
The Church of God Foundation has been managed well over its 15 year existence, as assets have grown to just under $30 million. Generous donors and benefactors have increased the endowment, enabling the Foundation to assist churches and organizations with their ministry needs.
The Foundation’s website states, “Our team members are well trained and ready to assist churches in a variety of ways. We want to help our church family to release the potential of generosity to resource the Great Commission. With God’s grace and strong partnerships, we believe that we can help facilitate the expansion of God’s Kingdom on a global level.” Other members of the staff include Kaye Stuman, corporate secretary/office manager, and Ronald Dopf, support specialist.
The website is extensive and offers helpful resources including links to financial management tools, church finance, investments, legacy giving and stewardship.
The Foundation is an outgrowth of the former Stewardship Department of the Church of God. Like Stewardship, the Foundation helps church members and friends of the Church of God understand how they can give appreciated stock, bonds, real estate, and cash to benefit their local church and other Church of God ministries. Legacy gifts provide donors with a tax-deduction and, in some cases, can provide income to donors and their family. These gifts can be facilitated through Charitable Remainder Trusts, Gift Annuities, and Donor Advised Funds.
To learn more about the Church of God Foundation, visit www.churchofgodfoundation.org. Visit the Foundation on Facebook and Twitter (@generouscog).
Cameron Fisher, Church of God Communications
