Sowing to Thrive

ALVARADO, TEX. – One of the most common causes of stress relates to money and finances. The same issue ranks as one of the top three issues that couples fight over. No wonder the Bible says in Romans 13:8, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

Our heavenly Father knows when we owe more than the “debt of love,” the emotional stress and relational burdens we carry may interfere with our ability to give 100 percent of ourselves back to Him or to our fellow man. Life under these circumstances essentially robs us of opportunities to support the family, friends and ministries we love.

The vision of the Texas Conference Department of Planned Giving and Trust Services is to see families thriving, while managing God’s call to live godly lives. Living a godly life encompasses the total person. It includes the physical, spiritual and mental health, but also relational and financial health as well. We acknowledge the principle of sowing in Galatians 6:7, “A man reaps what he sows” while trusting God’s prophetic words in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Our department goal is to assist in education, training and service with regards to “financial sowing” both in-life and at the end-of-life. By God’s grace, we help families “reap” the blessing of caring for and protecting their loved ones as well as supporting the Lord’s work. Trust Officers Jerrod Songy and Deyvy Rodriguez travel to churches providing Sabbath morning worship services and mid-week prayer meetings, as well as seminars on personal finance, stewardship and estate planning.

Through this department, we make available the following estate planning documents: Wills, Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities, Powers of Attorney for Finances and Healthcare and Advance Directives (sometimes referred to as a Living Will).

Along with the trust officers, the ministry is led and supported by Roger Mekelburg, director; Lynette Ecord, associate director; and Sofia Fuentes and Claudia Dominguez, administrative assistants.