Opportunity
Great Lakes Conference Sessions
June 7 and 8, 2012
“If OPPORTUNITY does not knock, build a door”
2012 Report to The Great Lakes Conference,
Churches of God, General Conference
WHERE THERE ARE OPPORTUNITES, THERE ARE RISKS
The goal of the Foundation of the Great Lakes Conference of the Churches of God, General Conference is to help the many Churches, Agencies, Conference Camps and Mission fields around the world to serve in the building of God’s Kingdom. Over the last fourteen years, The Foundation has been striving to help others find new paths and ways to do a work in areas that God has called each one to do. We helped in so many ways to expand our outreach in our world through providing significant funds for other ministries to build relationships and assist in the growth and new development of our special body, the Great Lakes Conference. We have shared with the Great Lakes Conference and its membership to see a new vision of where God is leading and directing our ministry in their local area throughout the Conference and into the world. Together we continue to seek opportunities to enlarge our Conference so that others may find the way to Christ as Lord of all.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADER EXPERIENCES
The Foundation of the Great Lakes Conference of the Churches of God has received numerous expressions of appreciation for assistance given to a variety of projects, programs and ministries, including the workshop held for Pastors and churches in November of 2010. We believe the Conference, many of its congregations, and affiliated organizations have significantly benefited by participating in this ministry to enlarge our conference. The Foundation performs its function within the body to support, encourage, minister to, and assist in the growth and outreach in our Conference and the world.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
· To assist and enable the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make Christian disciples through the many churches in the body.
· To participate in programs, projects, endeavors or ministries by providing assistance that may not otherwise be available to members of the body.
· Encourage faithful stewardship through tithing and generous giving, personal commitment and involvement, and assumption of benevolent responsibilities in partnership into the world.
· To promote the practice of Christian stewardship principles as Biblically taught and avoid any pattern or practice that would contribute to a “welfare” dependency on the part of the Christian community or members of the body.
· Contribute to the growth or development of all areas of the body.
· Increase the resources and the ability of The Foundation to perpetuate expansion and growth to benefit the body for the present and future generations.
Grants Awarded to the Conference and/or Conference Affiliates --
Grants Awarded in Years 1999 - 2011
One hundred and thirty (137) Grants awarded -- $3,586,588
Grants Awarded in Year 2012
Five (5) Grants awarded -- $181,500
Total Grants Awarded:
January 1999 through June 1, 2012 - - $3,768,088
During these past fourteen years The Foundation has averaged 10.1 grants per year. Grant awards have averaged $26,536 per grant awarded in this fourteen year period. Total grants given through these years were 142.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PROGRESS
Expansion is coming about through new ministries that are now in action in the following forms: Church building expansion or improvements to enhance ministry; Equipment for enlarging outreach ministry of congregations; church renewal and revitalization; conference leadership training and development; church planting resources; discipleship and intern programs; Christian education workshop opportunities; campus ministries; Winebrenner Theological Seminary expansion through enlarged student body; The University of Findlay in Campus Ministry and Scholarship Program; mission eyewitness experiences; building facilities and providing medical equipment in cross-cultural settings; Camp Otyokwah capital improvements and outreach, programming and staff development; benevolent/emergency funds for conference; ministry in health care facilities/programs; community outreach and evangelism. There has been a lot of expansion throughout the Conference and Churches in the Great Lakes Conference.
THE CHAPLAINCY MINISTRY – A FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCE
The Foundation continues the support of the Blanchard Valley Regional Health Association’s Chaplaincy ministry. The Foundation, through the Great Lakes Conference, made a donation to Blanchard Valley Health Foundation for the establishment of a Spiritual Care Endowment. This Endowment will sustain and promote spiritual care for Blanchard Valley Health System patients, physicians, nurses and associates. It will also help provide education and mentoring support for spiritual caregivers of the community. The amount of this Endowment was $21,958. All workshops provided by this fund are FREE to all Great Lakes Pastors.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW
We can report dividend and interest earnings of $178,773 and capital gain distributions of $34,074. As of December 31, 2011 we had experienced an “unrealized” loss of $206,790 on current holdings and a net loss of $27,154 on investment sales. The total return on our investments less expenses was a loss of approximately 0.3% for the calendar year 2011.
Our investments are brokered by Merrill-Lynch with bond investments overseen by local representatives of that firm. We currently have one investment manager and use eighteen mutual funds; each investing a portion of the assets of The Foundation in specifically grouped areas such as large cap growth, large cap blend, large cap value, small cap value and bonds. Our objectives are to maintain a healthy diversity of investments. Our approach is conservative with guidelines controlling the stock/bond/cash ratios. As of December 31, 2011 the investment portfolio consisted of approximately 42.6% in equities, 40.5% in bonds, 8.6% notes receivable, 8.3% in money markets and certificates of deposit.
Assets of the Foundation total $6,086,406 as of December 31, 2011 compared with assets of $6,423,359 as of December 31, 2010.
Only net income, earned from interest, dividends and capital gain distributions from mutual funds is distributed. Capital gains/losses from investments sales are reflected in the assets reported.
The 2011 Financial Report of The Foundation, audited by Thomas and Ridge, Certified Public Accountants, was distributed to the Executive Board of The Great Lakes Conference at their March 9, 2012 meeting. We quote from the audit report, “In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Foundation of the Great Lakes Conference, Churches of God, General Conference at December 31, 2011, and 2010, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles.”
OPPORTUNITIES TO PURSUE
The Guidelines for Grant Seekers are available to all churches that have interest in requesting grants. The simplified Preliminary Grant Request “form” is available and can be prepared and filed prior to January 10, 2012. A processing time line similar to 2011 is projected. The Formal Grant Application may be filed only after the Preliminary Request Forms have been reviewed and authorization given to proceed with Formal Applications. One distribution per year is the operating policy of The Foundation. Please get new forms for the 2013 filing of Preliminary Request. Each year there are some changes of which you need to be aware before filing. You may download these Grant Request “forms” on the Foundation Web Site at www.foundationglc.org
We believe we now have a general operational pattern/calendar that will best serve the church and accommodate the steps/functions required by regulations or policies of The Foundation.
It is the desire of the Board of Directors to function in a professional and unbiased manner. To best serve in this manner, the cooperation of applicants for grants and recipients of grants is needed. Two areas of concern may be sited as illustrative of issues that need attention. Preliminary Requests and/or Formal Applications are to be submitted in the prescribed manner. (Incomplete data, penciled answers in margins, unsigned documents, etc. is likely to be rejected without consideration.) Another area of concern is failure to submit reports as requested and agreed upon in the Award Agreement.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP
The Foundation like other members of the body is a nonprofit organization established exclusively for charitable purposes by the Great Lakes Conference, Churches of God, General Conference. It is incorporated according to the laws of the State of Ohio as a non-profit corporation and has met the tax-exempt requirements as set forth in Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
· The Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors composed of seven members elected by the Executive Board of the Great Lakes Conference.
· Directors are elected for a three-year term and the terms are staggered with approximately one-third of the board elected annually.
· Current Membership of the Board of Directors:
Class of 2013:
Mr. Robert A. Fry
Mr. Dan K. Kennard
Mr. Randy K. Dammeyer
Class of 2014:
Mr. Rodney L. Stover
Pastor Terry A. Steinhauer, Sr.
Class of 2015:
Mr. Kerry D. Samples
Mrs. C. Berniece Asel
Ex Officio - Conference Director
Pastor Earl E. Mills
The Board of Directors is organized as follows:
Chairperson– Robert A. Fry
Vice Chairperson– Kerry D. Samples
Treasurer – Dan N. Kennard
Secretary – C. Berniece Asel
The Foundation Office Staff:
President –
Financial Controller – Robert E. Stephenson
Office Secretary – Alberta Prichard
The Foundation Directors serve the body just as each of you as members of the body serve. Together we recognize that the responsibilities entrusted to us are awesome. The many decisions and issues that must be addressed by the Directors require time, diligence, various skills and experience.
The Foundation Board of Directors continues its effort to develop a list of potential Directors. A document, “Qualifications for Board Membership,” is available on request. The document includes the provisions stated in the Code of Regulations and identifies areas of experience and expertise needed for the most effective operation of the Board.
The Board of Directors recognizes that the growth of The Foundation is of great value. The Foundation, by its stated mission and by its legal status, may receive gifts and contributions to enlarge its principal assets. Additional investments made possible by gifts or bequests will result in growing principal assets. Such growth increases grant resources available for distribution. This is a way to perpetuate and expand the ministries of our Conference, its churches, agencies, and its mission and evangelism outreach endeavors. This is a means by which resources for ministry are enlarged with the promise of both immediate impact and long-term benefit. We encourage friends of the Conference to consider this possibility. If you have questions or interest, please contact The Foundation.
The Foundation of the Great Lakes Conference
700 East Melrose Avenue
P.O. Box 1132
Findlay, OH 45839-1132
Phone: 419-425-9602
Email:
Web Site: www.foundationglc.org
OPPORTUNITIES ARE GOD’S GIFT TO US
Your cooperation, encouragement, continuing goodwill, and understanding are of great value as we conduct the business of The Foundation. The Board of Directors requests your prayers as we move ahead, as we need the guidance and wisdom that God provides. For all that has been and will be accomplished, let us together as the body rejoice and give thanks and praise to God. As we continue to pray for His Kingdom to come we trust that God who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day His Kingdom comes.
Respectfully submitted,
The Board of Directors
Robert A. Fry, Director, Board Chairperson
Kerry D. Samples, Director, Vice Chairperson
Dan N. Kennard, Director, Treasurer
C. Berniece Asel, Director, Secretary
Rodney L. Stover, Director
Terry Steinhauer, Director
Randy K. Dammeyer, Director
Ex Officio – Conference Director
Pastor Earl E. Mills
The Staff
President –
Financial Controller – Robert E. Stephenson
Office Secretary – Alberta Prichard
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