VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/1/10)—In the last several days the Board of Directors of the American Baptist Foundation, in a spirit of prayer and unity, has been crafting a new model to position the Foundation for future growth. This model responds to consultations with the Foundation’s members: the Multi-Region Corporation (composed of 31 American Baptist regions nationwide), the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and American Baptist International Ministries.
While there will be staffing changes, all the products and outcomes utilized by donors in the past will continue to be available. Likewise, all investments with the Foundation—trusts, estates, annuities, and endowments—will be managed with the same level of integrity, expertise, and diligence that has been identified with the American Baptist Foundation for the past quarter century.
In anticipation of the new model for the Foundation, Rev. Judy Fackenthal, chair of the Board of Directors, states, “We look forward to a promising future and to working together to enhance the ministries we have lovingly cultivated with the blessed help of God’s Spirit.”
As the American Baptist Foundation restructures itself toward the goal of ongoing strength and growth, services provided through the regions will be streamlined. There will no longer be a national field staff with the herculean responsibility of meeting the planned giving marketing needs of each unique American Baptist region. Rather, with support from the Foundation, the regions will design their own distinctive structures for encouraging estate plans that will support local, regional, national, and international mission. Additionally, the position of President has been discontinued. Lawrence Edw. Wilson, III, former President, is no longer with the Foundation. The Board of Directors expresses its appreciation both to the field staff and Mr. Wilson for their dedicated service to the Foundation.
Rev. William A. Carlsen is now responsible for Foundation operations during this transition period. Before his 15-year tenure as the executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of New York State, Rev. Carlsen served as the minister of mission support for that region from 1976 to 1993 with a focus on stewardship education and mission interpretation. He is an active member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and was the treasurer of the Multi-Region Corporation for nine years. Since 1980, Rev. Carlsen has provided financial planning seminars and counsel to churches and individuals in New York State, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, and is currently interim associate pastor at Dewitt Community Church, where he serves in the area of stewardship, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
The American Baptist Foundation’s ministry of encouraging planned gifts, giving through wills and estate plans, began in 1985. These gifts may be made for all American Baptist ministry and mission—from congregational efforts and regional ministries like camping to outreach across our nation and mission around the world. Approximately $85 million in trusts, endowments, and annuities is presently under the Foundation’s management. During its decades of service, the Foundation has generated millions of dollars in planned gifts that have expanded the work of Jesus Christ.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.