{"id":1078,"date":"2026-06-24T21:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T21:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/?page_id=1078"},"modified":"2026-06-24T21:05:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T21:05:02","slug":"your-gifts-do-great-things","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Gifts Do Great Things"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\">\n<ul id=\"v-pills-tab\" class=\"nav flex-column nav-pills\" role=\"tablist\">\n<li class=\"nav-item\"><a id=\"v-pills-extend-tab\" class=\"nav-link\" role=\"tab\" href=\"#v-pills-disciples\" data-toggle=\"pill\">Together we grow as courageous disciples<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"nav-item\"><a id=\"v-pills-love-tab\" class=\"nav-link\" role=\"tab\" href=\"#v-pills-love\" data-toggle=\"pill\">Together we love and serve one another<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"nav-item\"><a id=\"v-pills-witness-tab\" class=\"nav-link\" role=\"tab\" href=\"#v-pills-witness\" data-toggle=\"pill\">Together we extend generosity and witness<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"nav-item\"><a id=\"v-pills-steward-tab\" class=\"nav-link\" role=\"tab\" href=\"#v-pills-steward\" data-toggle=\"pill\">Together we steward God&#8217;s blessings<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"nav-item\"><a id=\"v-pills-thrives-tab\" class=\"nav-link\" role=\"tab\" href=\"#v-pills-thrives\" data-toggle=\"pill\">How Church of the Brethren, Inc. thrives and shares vitality<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"v-pills-sustain-tab\" class=\"nav-link\" role=\"tab\" href=\"#v-pills-sustain\" data-toggle=\"pill\">Sustaining our shared work<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"nav-item\"><a id=\"v-pills-giving-tab\" class=\"nav-link\" role=\"tab\" href=\"#v-pills-giving\" data-toggle=\"pill\">Giving opportunities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-sm-9\">\n<div id=\"v-pills-tabContent\" class=\"tab-content\">\n<div id=\"v-pills-extend\" class=\"tab-pane fade show active\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-extend-tab\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%\">\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1081 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide1-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Together we join Jesus in the neighborhood<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\"><br \/>\nThank you for giving generously of your time, talent, and resources to share in the faith-building and life-changing work of the Church of the Brethren. You inspire us regularly through the many ways you serve with love. Together we are making a difference in neighborhoods across the US and around the world.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\"><br \/>\nEvery mission and ministry endeavor of the Church of the Brethren reveals our vision and connects to our strategic plan. There are four ministry priorities that encapsulate all of the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren. While most of our ministry areas relate to more than one ministry priority, we will highlight each ministry within the priority with which it has the strongest connection.<\/p>\n<p><\/span>Together as members, supporters, leaders, staff, and volunteers of the Church of the Brethren, we grow courageous disciples, love and serve one another, extend generosity and witness, and steward God\u2019s blessings. Through all that we do together, we intentionally call leaders, embrace our neighbors, serve our communities, and pursue holistic peace.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>TOGETHER<\/strong><\/em> we passionately live as the body of Christ as we join Jesus in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\">Thanks again for your faithful partnership!<br \/>\n<em><strong>&#8211; The Mission Advancement Team<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-pills-disciples\" class=\"tab-pane fade\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-disciples-tab\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1082 size-large aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide2-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Together we grow as courageous disciples<\/p>\n<p><\/em><\/strong>We call and equip disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.<\/p>\n<p>We nurture the discipleship and leadership formation of the people of God to embody and articulate their faith through relationships, resources, and events. We prepare leaders and set-apart ministers for the challenges of ministry and encourage a culture of calling. We build relationships to understand and engage with the ministry needs of the church.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WE GROW AS COURAGEOUS DISCIPLES BY:<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2022 Providing support to district leaders and ministers.<br \/>\n\u2022 Partnering with leaders to provide training and educational opportunities for members, laity, and ministers.<br \/>\n\u2022 Co-creating with ministers and leaders to produce resources that will aid them in leading their congregations.<br \/>\n\u2022 Offering valuable curriculum and events for Brethren to learn from and participate in meaningful conversations with the larger, diverse body of Christ.<br \/>\n\u2022 Arranging opportunities for people of all ages to grow in faith and form a supportive community.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>We accomplish these initiatives through: Discipleship and Leadership Formation <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>(the Ministry Office, Identity and Discipleship, the \u201cPart-time Pastor; Full-time <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Church\u201d program, the Rural and Small Town Initiative, Intercultural Ministries, <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>and Youth and Young Adult Ministries)<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-pills-love\" class=\"tab-pane fade\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-love-tab\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1083 size-large aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide3-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><em><strong style=\"font-size: revert;color: initial\">Together we love and serve one another<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nWe cultivate relationships and commit ourselves to a life of service.<\/p>\n<p>We seek to strengthen faith and relationships with our partners around the world while developing a structure to encourage autonomy and partnership in mission. We create opportunities for Christ-like service that equip volunteers for relationship-based community engagement. We nurture relationships that are life-giving and endure through generations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Current partner denominations in the Church of the Brethren Global Communion include:<\/strong> <em>Brazil, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nigeria, Rwanda, Spain, the United States, Uganda, and Venezuela.<\/p>\n<p><\/em><strong>WE LOVE AND SERVE TOGETHER BY:<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2022 Strengthening the development of a Church of the Brethren Global Communion that is critical for future mission and living into global Church of the Brethren values.<br \/>\n\u2022 Nurturing relationships between partner churches for mutually beneficial opportunities for ministry.<br \/>\n\u2022 Exploring new mission partnerships for assistance and\/or affiliation with the Church of the Brethren.<br \/>\n\u2022 Empowering global churches to address hunger and poverty in their communities through income generation and sustainable agriculture projects.<br \/>\n\u2022 Preparing people of all ages to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they live and worship in community for short-term and long-term service placements in a variety of ministry and non-profit settings.<br \/>\n\u2022 Offering education and resources to help establish food security, and building community where programs and projects are implemented.<br \/>\n\u2022 Supporting congregations to address community hunger through church gardens, food pantries, community meals, and more.<br \/>\n\u2022 Revealing God\u2019s love as we walk with and care for communities affected by emergency, violence, or disasters both nationally and globally.<br \/>\n\u2022 Providing humanitarian relief to the most vulnerable.<br \/>\n\u2022 Developing a sense of community while rebuilding homes.<br \/>\n\u2022 Training and sending volunteers to establish safe and healing spaces for children during times of disaster and crisis.<br \/>\n<em><strong><br \/>\nWe achieve these initiatives through: Global Mission, Brethren Disaster Ministries (Children\u2019s Disaster Services, the Rebuilding Program, Global Response), Brethren Volunteer Service, Faith Outreach Expeditions (FaithX), and the Global Food Initiative.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-pills-witness\" class=\"tab-pane fade\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-witness-tab\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1084 size-large aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide4-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide4-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Together we extend generosity and witness<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nTogether we engage our neighbors, seek justice, and share the holistic peace of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<p>We bear witness to the peace of Christ and the justice of God. We tell the current story of the church and invite members into conversation so that all may deepen their commitment. We reach out to congregations and individuals to create community and offer thanks for their generosity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WE EXTEND GENEROSITY AND WITNESS BY:<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2022 Growing faith through resources that help congregations and individuals deepen their faith.<br \/>\n\u2022 Telling the story of the Church of the Brethren using a variety of media.<br \/>\n\u2022 Working alongside Church of the Brethren members and in coordination with ecumenical, interfaith, and secular organizations.<br \/>\n\u2022 Inspiring individuals to strive for a more just and peaceful reality in which needs are met for anyone facing harm, persecution, and violence around the world.<br \/>\n\u2022 Educating and interpreting the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren while nurturing fruitful relationships and partnerships.<br \/>\n<strong><em><br \/>\nWe accomplish these initiatives through: Brethren Press, <\/em>Messenger<em> magazine,<\/em> the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy (including the Death Row Support Project), Communications, and Mission Advancement<em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-pills-steward\" class=\"tab-pane fade\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-steward-tab\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1085 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide5-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide5.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Together we steward God&#8217;s blessings<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/em>Together we encourage transformation through effective stewardship practices and overseeing the resources we have been blessed with in the past and present. We document the ministry of the church and preserve its historical memory to serve as a foundation for the future. We tend to our facilities and staff carrying out the mission and ministry of the denomination. We attend to the financial needs of the organization.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WE STEWARD GOD\u2019S BLESSINGS BY:<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2022 Curating records and detailing the work of the Church of the Brethren.<br \/>\n\u2022 Maintaining facilities to create a safe environment for staff and ministry teams.<br \/>\n\u2022 Providing accessibility for staff to stay connected and to be sustained in their work.<br \/>\n\u2022 Caring for the essential financial systems and processes that help the church achieve its mission.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>We achieve these initiatives through: Organizational Resources <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>(the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, Buildings and Grounds, <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Finance, and Information Technology).<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-pills-thrives\" class=\"tab-pane fade\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-thrives-tab\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1086 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide6-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide6.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><em><strong>How Church of the Brethren, Inc. thrives and shares vitality<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/em>Crucial to the effective stewardship of our resources is keeping the Church of theBrethren on a path toward a sustainable and thriving future\u2014a future in which each of our members, supporters, leaders, staff, volunteers, and partners are healthy andeffective in their vocation and purpose. This includes how denominational ministries operate\u00a0internally, but also how they provide resources and reach outwardly.<\/p>\n<p>Non-profit organizations do not typically interpret administrative tasks or organizational needs as ministry or program-related. However, we would not be able to implement the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren without the staff and properties that make them happen. While our ministry priorities reflect most of this work, administrative tasks and organizational needs are also essential for our ministry.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the operations of the organization, we provide sustainability and vitality<br \/>\nfor the larger church through resources like:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Brethren Faith in Action Fund:<\/strong> Provides grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps for outreach ministry projects that serve their communities, strengthen their ministries, and expand the reign of God.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Emergency Disaster Fund:<\/strong> Provides grants for domestic and international disaster response and enables funding for the Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding Program and Children\u2019s Disaster Services as well as care for communities after disasters.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Global Food Initiative Fund:<\/strong> Provides grants to fund agricultural and community development projects seeking to invest in small-scale economic development, join efforts to improve diet and health practices, champion good agricultural practices such as soil conservation, and promote awareness and advocacy for hunger-related issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Global Mission Development Fund:<\/strong> Provides grants to global Church of the Brethren Communion denominations, partners, and mission points to launch new mission initiatives and empower communities for a sustainable future.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ministry Assistance Fund:<\/strong> Provides assistance to ministers and their families who are facing crises or emergencies and are at risk of professional or personal hardship.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-pills-sustain\" class=\"tab-pane fade\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-sustain-tab\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1087 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide7-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide7-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide7-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide7-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/06\/Slide7.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sustaining our shared work<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>FUNDING<\/p>\n<p><\/strong>All the work of the Church of the Brethren is supported by many funds. Some of these include Core Ministries, Special Purpose funds, and Restricted funds. Some ministry expenses are offset by registrations, sales, subscriptions, other income, and restricted contributions. All these funds support programs and services that empower us to join Jesus in the neighborhood as we grow courageous disciples, love and serve one another, extend generosity and witness, and steward God\u2019s blessings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Core Ministries<\/strong> represent programs that are central to the nature of the church or are part of the administration and organizational resources needed to carry out these ministries. Ministries such as the Brethren Historical Library and Archives, Brethren Volunteer Service, Discipleship and Leadership Formation, Global Mission, the Ministry Office, and the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, for example, are funded by gifts to Core Ministries.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Special Purpose Funds<\/strong> provide funding for the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries, Children\u2019s Disaster Services, the Global Food Initiative, and emerging domestic and global church initiatives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Restricted Funds<\/strong> are ministry programs that would not be available if we did not receive restricted contributions from generous donors. Some of these programs include the Haiti Medical Project, the Ministry Assistance Fund, and Nigeria Church Rebuilding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Self-Funding Ministries<\/strong> are considered self-sustaining because they are not primarily supported by donations. Instead, they are supported by other sources of income, like registration fees. This includes the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, which \u201cexists to unite, strengthen, and equip the Church of the Brethren to follow Jesus.\u201d Held annually in different geographic locations, Annual Conference brings Brethren together to conduct business, but more importantly to worship, learn, build faith, and renew relationships.<\/p>\n<p><em>A Ministry Enablement Contribution of 9 percent is applied to restricted donations <\/em><em>to support the work of Core Ministries staff who ensure each gift fulfills the donor\u2019s <\/em><em>intended purpose. It also helps cover the cost of travel expenses for volunteers, <\/em><em>visas, travelers\u2019 insurance, and other administrative costs.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"v-pills-giving\" class=\"tab-pane fade\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"v-pills-giving-tab\">\n<p><strong>Giving Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Immediate Opportunities<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Individuals and congregations may support the mission and ministry endeavors they are passionate about by mailing a check (to the address on the back cover) or giving online. Donors can also set up recurring automatic gifts (monthly, quarterly, or yearly) for each ministry featured at www.brethren.org\/give to be regular partners in the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren.<\/p>\n<p>Monthly direct mail appeals, twice monthly \u201ceBrethren: Testimonies of the Church of the Brethren and its Ministries\u201d emails, and other special communications create specific opportunities to give. Each communication highlights stories about the impact of gifts to the Church of the Brethren.<\/p>\n<p>Each congregation in the Church of the Brethren has a covenantal agreement to support the work of denominational ministries as they are able through setting aside a percentage of their annual budget, discerning a particular amount, or giving to special offerings.<\/p>\n<p>Some individuals choose to donate their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from certain retirement plans as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). Once you reach a specific age (73 in 2026), you must withdraw a specific amount or risk a tax penalty. The law concerning RMDs took effect in 2023. It is recommended to talk with a financial advisor concerning your individual situation. If a person does not depend on income received from an RMD, a QCD is a beneficial option to consider.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Individuals and congregations may choose to give to any of the quarterly special offerings:<\/strong> One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Mission, and Advent Offerings. These special offerings highlight different ministry areas and primarily support Core Ministries. Some congregations receive full standing orders of print materials for these offerings, but all congregations are encouraged to use resources that are provided online (for printing and electronic use). Unless otherwise requested, donors who have given within the last three years also receive the offering materials as a regular direct mailing.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 288px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 75px\">\n<td style=\"width: 16.4286%;height: 37px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-618 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2023\/08\/OGHS.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"77\" height=\"76\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 83.5714%;height: 37px\"><strong>One Great Hour of Sharing<\/strong> reaches those near and far, sometimes changing the life of someone in distress in your own community, while at other times impacting the lives of those we may never meet but who need our compassion. Gifts support Core Ministries, Brethren Disaster Ministries, and the Global Food Initiative.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 89px\">\n<td style=\"width: 16.4286%;height: 89px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2019\/06\/pentecost-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Pentecost Offering logo\" width=\"76\" height=\"76\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 83.5714%;height: 89px\">The <strong>Pentecost Offering<\/strong> highlights our passion for calling and equipping fearless disciples and leaders, renewing and planting churches, and transforming communities. This offering features the work of Discipleship and Leadership Formation and gifts are directed to Core Ministries.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 90px\">\n<td style=\"width: 16.4286%;height: 90px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2019\/06\/mission-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Offering logo\" width=\"76\" height=\"77\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 83.5714%;height: 90px\">The <strong>Mission Offering<\/strong> highlights our passion for international mission and serving with our sisters and brothers around the world. This offering features Global Mission and gifts are directed to Core Ministries.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 72px\">\n<td style=\"width: 16.4286%;height: 72px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2019\/06\/advent-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Advent Offering logo\" width=\"76\" height=\"76\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 83.5714%;height: 72px\">The <strong>Advent Offering<\/strong> highlights our passion to live out the holistic peace of Jesus. This offering features the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and Brethren Volunteer Service and gifts are directed to Core Ministries.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Sustaining Opportunities<\/p>\n<p><\/strong>Individuals may support the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren by including one or more of our church programs in their long-term giving plan of a will, trust, gift annuity, life insurance policy, or another form of a deferred gift. Those who enroll become members of the Faith Forward Donor Circle (www.brethren.org\/ffdc). This type of gift is an investment in the future, allowing the lifelong work of individuals to continue the work of Jesus.<\/p>\n<p>Starting an endowment is another sustaining way of giving to the church. Creating an endowment requires a minimum gift of $100,000, but any amount may be contributed to an existing endowment. An endowment is a gift fund from which investment earnings are used to support the mission and ministry of the church, providing stability into the future.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Reach out to the Mission Advancement Team for more information.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em>All photos were taken by denominational staff, partners, and volunteers unless otherwise noted.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Together we grow as courageous disciples Together we love and serve one another Together we extend generosity and witness Together we steward God&#8217;s blessings How Church of the Brethren, Inc. thrives and shares vitality Sustaining our shared work Giving opportunities Together we join Jesus in the neighborhood Thank you for giving generously of your time,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-1078","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1078"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1098,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1078\/revisions\/1098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/missionadvancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}