"Many don't realize that if they die without a will, the government will benefit the most—not their family," said Roger Heinrich, director of the property and trust service department (PATS) for the Southeastern California Conference (SECC). "Without formal instructions, the government decides who will be the guardian of your children. Your assets can be eaten up by probate court and legal fees.

"Most Adventists would rather give money to their families and the church than to the State of California," Heinrich observed.

Families First

For this reason, the conference hires certified trust officers who are knowledgeable about state laws and financial planning. "Caring for your family's needs comes first. You need a personal attorney to prepare your will," Heinrich explained. "If you also want to name the church as a beneficiary, we can explore several options with you."

All decisions are made entirely by the person or family who are writing the will and setting up the trust, Heinrich emphasized. "We are here to serve, not to pressure people."

The newest trust officers for Southeastern are Reyna Escobar and Janice Chang. "They are qualified to work with any member," Heinrich said. "But with 25 percent of SECC members being Hispanic, and another 10 percent having a heritage in Asia and the Pacific Islands, they can also be very helpful to these groups."

Supporting the Church

In addition to caring for their families in their wills and trusts, many individuals also earmark money for a local church, school, or conference evangelism. These are "restricted" gifts. One such gift provided $30,000 to a local church in SECC to help pave its parking lot, and $10,000 to a Pathfinder project. In 2003, restricted gifts totaled $1,027,500.

Others ask the conference to use money where it is needed most. These are "unrestricted" gifts. Unrestricted gifts in 2003 totaled $1,867,800.

When the conference is asked to distribute money, where does it go?

"The funds benefit many projects," according to Tom Staples, SECC treasurer. "Some goes to capital improvements. For example, several times each year offerings are taken for churches and schools that are building or remodeling. The total offering is about $60,000 a year. This doesn't go far, especially in a conference with more than 140 congregations and about 25 schools.

"Fortunately," Staples added, "trust maturities—income from estate gifts—help us out. Each year $250,000 or more goes to building projects." In addition, Staples explained, some trusts become appropriations to school operations through the SECC education department.

At other times, trust maturities fill gaps in the conference budget, such as funding equipment replacement. In recent years, trust maturities of $350,000 to $550,000, have prevented or reduced cuts in pastoral budgets and employee benefits. In 2003, a million dollars helped toward paying down a loan for capital improvements at Pine Springs Ranch.

"We are extremely grateful to members who remember the Church in their wills," Staples added. "They make it possible for the Church to ride out the ups and downs in our economy and to expand God's work in many significant ways."