Becky Brown has lived all over the country: California, Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, Utah and now Portland, Ore. Throughout her travels, the one place she’s never left is the church.
“If I didn’t have the church, I don’t know what I would do with my time, my money, my energy. It’s always been a part of my life,” says Brown.
As a child, Brown’s confirmation class with Pastor Kempski laid a great foundation for her faith. Every time she hears the Apostle’s Creed, she still thinks of him. As an adult, Brown ensures future Pastor Kempskis will touch young lives by giving of both her time and money to Luther Seminary.
“I really believe Luther Seminary produces the best pastors and has the best academic programs. I’ve seen it in recent Luther Seminary grads.
“I see it in a lot of new media products that come out of Luther—Working Preacher, Stewardship for the 21st Century, Enter the Bible—these are resources everybody in the church has access to.”
Brown is giving during her lifetime, as well as leaving a legacy at the seminary with a planned gift. In addition to naming Luther Seminary as a beneficiary of her estate, she supports the seminary’s capital campaigns and Sustaining Fund, and has set up an endowed student scholarship benefiting seminarians from Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
“I believe Luther Seminary has a responsibility to help train pastors for the whole United States, but especially for the West and Midwest,” she says. “There’s a lot of opportunity here.”
Help prepare future church leaders through planned giving
It is critical to prepare leaders called to lead the church in the mission field of the 21st century. Like Brown, many people find a planned gift to be one of the most significant ways to thank God for the blessings in their lives. Through wise gift and estate planning, you can receive financial benefits while making a long-term impact on Luther Seminary’s mission to educate future Christian leaders.
Planned gifts help ensure that church leaders will be prepared to serve in mission well into the future. There are several options available when considering making a planned gift to support the preparation of these leaders. After determining what type of gift is best for you, you can find fulfillment in knowing that that you are ensuring the church will have bold and faithful leadership for years to come.
Ensure that Luther Seminary can continue to prepare servant leaders charged to share the good news of Christ through planned giving. Contact John Kilbride in the Office of Seminary Relations at 888-358-8437 or jkilbride001@luthersem.edu. For more information, visit www.luthersem.edu/giftplanning.