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Letter from the Executive Director
I continue to be excited and humbled by God's blessings on Westminster Foundation. One of the most personally rewarding aspects of my job is connecting resources to needs - that is, learning about a ministry's financial needs and connecting someone with financial resources to that ministry. Sometimes, the need (and resource) is not money but prayers or volunteer time or awareness or passion. I think of the Foundation as a "safe Christ-centered meeting place for resources and needs."
To that end, I spend as much of my time as possible trying to understand the ministry needs and opportunities at Westminster and beyond. In this issue, you will read about two powerful ministries to Rock Hill students: WPC Youth Ministries and FCA. Please consider supporting these ministries in some way.
Recently, Don Piers and Janice Dulaney shared with me their vision and plans for Westminster Academy of the Arts, including three very specific opportunities. . . .
● Scholarships - The Academy wants to reach as many children as possible with its Gospel-based approach to teaching arts and music. Many children, like those at Children's Attention Home and some at Richmond Drive Elementary, need scholarships to attend. The Foundation will match the first $500 given towards scholarships this summer.
● Martial Arts - John Gabrenas, Jr., a talented black-belt, is excited about leading this new program and teaching martial arts from the perspective of the Gospel rather than purely secular principles or East Asian religious traditions.The Academy needs funds for equipment and scholarships for this program.
● Community Movie Nights - Many movies, whether Christian-produced or not, center around redemption, good vs. evil, or some other theme common in the Bible. The Academy wants to bring together believers and non-believers on a regular basis to eat popcorn, watch a movie, engage in discussion, and be reminded that Christian themes pervade culture, even Hollywood! The Academy would like to partner with other ministries and organizations in this effort.
To learn more, go to www.artsrockhill.org or call Don or Janice at 803-325-6773. If you would like the Foundation to facilitate a gift to the Academy (or if you are interested in contributing to the Foundation Endowment), please let me know.
Finally, the Foundation Board has made a grant to the Academic Achievement and Christian Character (AACC) Scholarship fund again this year. The AACC Scholarship, given to a rising WCCS senior, reflects the WCCS commitment to holistic Christian education, where academic and spiritual development go hand-in-hand. Call 803-328-5456 or email Lisa McCutchen at lmccutchen@wccs.org for more information.
In addition to the Academy, AACC Scholarship Fund, WPC Youth Ministries, FCA and the Foundation Endowment, I am aware of several other short-term and long-term needs and opportunities at WPC, WCCS, Towers, Westminster Park, ROAR and other ministries. Please call or email me if you would like to learn more. Thanks again for your Kingdom commitment.
In His Service,
Edwin Barnes, Jr. |
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WPC Youth - Packed with Activities
Spring is always an eventful time of year for Catalyst and AllAccess, the youth ministries of WPC. With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, weekly youth group wrapped up with a series titled "The Battle With," which taught students about a Biblical understanding of temptation and how a Christian can fight against it. Catalyst wrapped up the year with Seniors' Last Words, an annual tradition celebrating our graduating seniors and what the Lord has done in their lives. Our seniors are given center stage and asked about their favorite memories, and what they have learned over the years; the night culminates in a laying of hands on the graduating seniors to pray for God's blessing as they prepare for the next big step in their lives!
This summer will continue the trend from previous summers of spending time together for strengthening relationships. This summer, many students are getting ready for mission trips, including a large group heading back to Belize. Always a hilarious time of hanging out, ThomTime returns this summer. Youth Ministry Assistant Thom Watson will be at Nishie G's on Thursday afternoons hanging out with students 6th - 12th grade. WPC Youth will have a busy July, returning this summer to TVR (a summer camp in Plumtree, NC), helping volunteer at VBS, and serving in local missions, culminating in an exciting day of whitewater rafting.
The Lord has moved in mighty ways in the lives of our students, volunteers, and youth staff. Please pray for our ministry as we continue to seek the Lord and where He is leading us. If you would like more information regarding WPC Youth Ministries, check out www.wpcyouth.com or call Mike Cosner at 803-366-3107. |
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The Foundation supports the AACC Scholarship at WCCS. |
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Do you own stock or mutual funds that have recovered some of their value?
You may have noticed that the stock market is doing better. Some Westminster families have taken advantage of this by giving stock or mutual funds, rather than writing a check, for their tithe or Faith Promise or other giving. Here's how it has worked for one WPC member . . .
● At least once a year, he calls his investment advisor and asks: Do I own any stock or mutual funds that you think I should sell? Have they increased in value?
●He asks his advisor to transfer to the Foundation an amount of stock or mutual funds equal in value to the amount of money that he plans to give in the upcoming year. The Foundation sells the stock tax-free.
●He then asks the Foundation to write checks to the church and other ministries, each check in the amount that he would have given anyway.
So what's the catch? . . . There isn't one. The member has avoided paying income taxes on the gains in the stock or mutual funds and has been able to accomplish his regular support of the church, missionary families, other ministries, etc. using the services of Westminster Foundation. |
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Save the Date
Foundation
Banquet
Thursday
October 20, 2011
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
This will be a time of
praise and celebration for the ministries served by Westminster Foundation.
More information to come! |
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CONTACT
Westminster Ministries Foundation
1320 India Hook Road
Rock Hill, SC 29732
803-325-6712
website
Edwin Barnes,
Executive Director
803-366-8880
email
Julie Grider, Administrative Assistant
803-325-6712
email |
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Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is
touching millions of lives...one heart at a time
For over 55 years, FCA has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to impact the world for Jesus Christ. As the largest Christian sports organization in America, FCA serves local communities by equipping and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.
Campus Ministry - Locally, 29 campuses in York, Chester, and Lancaster counties have an FCA ministry presence. The Campus Ministry is initiated and led by student athletes and coaches on junior high, high school and college campuses. Campus Ministry includes: Huddles, Team Bible Studies, Chapel Program, Team FCA Membership, One Way 2 Play - Drug Free! and Special Events.Over 2,000 student-athletes meet weekly on campuses in our area under the banner of FCA for a time of spiritual growth and development. During the 2011-2012 school year, 76 total faith commitments were made by students and coaches.
Camps - Camps are a time of "inspiration and perspiration" for athletes and coaches to reach their potential by offering comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training. FCA summer camp registration has begun! Visit www.scfca.org/piedmont or call 803-327-8512 to learn more about summer camps.
Non-School based Ministries - The non-school based FCA ministries reach the community through partnerships with local churches, businesses, parents and volunteers. Community Ministries include: Adult Huddle Ministries, Sport-Specific Ministries, Sport Clinics, and Product and Resource Development.
The vision of the FCA is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. Through its various programs, FCA teaches and encourages the people of our community. For more information regarding FCA call Courtney Blakely at 803-327-8512. | |
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