Those of us in Gift Planning and Trust Services are praising the Lord for the many opportunities we have had to work with loyal supporters of the Church over the past five years. As trust officers, we help members of the church who want to contribute to the work of the church in their estate plan. Whether they use a will, a revocable trust, a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust to make their gift to the Lord’s work, it is a very special and meaningful decision on their part, and we take their desires seriously. These sincere, dedicated believers are making a covenant with the Lord out of hearts filled with memories of the many blessings He has provided them over the years.

In April 1997, the Western Adventist Foundation was incorporated to provide excellent trust management for any Pacific Union organizations that were interested in utilizing their services. Since that date, the clients of Western Adventist Foundation have grown in number and now come from both inside and outside of the Pacific Union. The Foundation offers advanced levels of financial services with efficient and professional trust management.

An advertising campaign was implemented in August 1998 and continues today with the goal of raising awareness of the many programs offered by the Gift Planning and Trust Services departments of the Pacific Union organizations.

Maturities — Bequests and Outright Gifts

During the last five years, $49.4 million has come into the work of God from faithful estate donors through Gift Planning and Trust Services. This amount represents an increase over the $45.6 million for the previous quinquennium. We are grateful to God’s faithful people not only for the trust they have placed in us to handle their affairs in a compassionate and professional manner, but also for the many evidences of their desire and dedication to see the work finished.