One of my vivid childhood memories was attending the Johnson County Conference in Kentucky with my dad Henry. As the associational clerk and treasurer for many years, he sat in the front
of the church at a folding table, recording the minutes of the services and business meetings with me by his side.
As a little boy, I was enamored to see my dad doing something important in the church for God. To engage me in his ministry work, he would allow me, with careful instruction, to count the money after each offering — every bill aligned the same way, of course. Watching my dad serve in the local church and observing his willingness to be used for broader Free Will Baptist causes planted a seed in me. I longed to be just like him.
Little did I know those small moments of counting Free Will Baptist offerings were quietly shaping a future calling. Today, as the CEO and director of the Free Will Baptist Foundation, I have the privilege of stewarding financial resources that advance Kingdom work across our denomination. I approach this responsibility with deep humility and gratitude, confident God has orchestrated these and many more experiences “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
My business and financial training, with experience both as a CFO and in promotional development, combined with pastoral ministry have developed within me a passion for leadership and stewardship. The result is a desire to strengthen ministries by serving investors.
Why the Foundation Exists…And Why It Matters Now
As you may know, the Foundation exists to serve as a trusted steward of God’s resources. We partner with individuals, churches, and ministries to provide biblically-grounded financial stewardship. We manage investments, endowments, and legacy gifts. In addition, the Foundation helps believers align their financial goals with eternal impact, ensuring resources are handled with integrity, transparency, and purpose. Simply put, our goal is to help God’s people give wisely, invest faithfully, and leave a lasting legacy. “Thoughts of the diligent lead only to plenteousness” (Proverbs 21:5).
The circles in our Foundation logo demonstrate these objectives:
Green Circle — Serving investors by benefiting them with demand notes, gift annuities, and estate plans.
Red Circle — Strengthening the financial base by building endowment funds.
Gold Circle — Supplying the mission of Free Will Baptist agencies and ministries through the blessing of endowment contributions and grants.
Endowments are Strategy, Not Savings
For many years, the Foundation has been known as a secure place to make sound investments, establish estate plans, and receive grants. As the Foundation continues to move forward, those elements remain true. However, we as a denomination must start building a financial strength that supports both ministry today and ministry for generations to come. That strength comes through the use and funding of endowments.
With endowments, funds are permanently invested to provide a lasting source of income for ministries such as churches, missions work, education, and denominational operations. The original gift (principal) remains untouched, while a portion of the investment earnings is used annually to support these causes. The fund is designed to last forever, providing financial means and stability across generations.
Rather than spending the entire donation, only a percentage (usually 3% to 5%) is distributed annually, allowing the principle to continue to grow. Further, endowments help ministries withstand fluctuating economic times and support long-range planning. Donors can leave a legacy, ensuring their support continues beyond their lifetimes.
Endowments are not about storing money; they are about securing ministry. They provide consistent, reliable income for ministry purposes. They protect churches, ministries, and denominational agencies during economic uncertainty and allow pastors, leaders, and directors to focus on mission and not survival. Giving to an endowment allows an individual to turn a one-time gift into perpetual gospel influence. As Proverbs 13:22 reminds us, a good man leaves an inheritance to his children.
Cooperative Giving Thinks Long-Term
The Free Will Baptist Endowment has already been established to enable you to make such an impact. Much like your support of The Together Way, which provides cooperative giving to undergird all Free Will Baptist departments, agencies, and commissions, gifts to the Free Will Baptist Endowment will yield monies to these same denominational ministries to sustain ministry efforts for years to come.
Currently, the endowment has a balance of $1.2 million, with plans to begin disbursements once it reaches the $5 million mark. To give to the Free Will Baptist Endowment, you can contact the Foundation at 877-336-7575 or visit fwbgifts.com/.
The Free Will Baptist Foundation is prioritizing the development of new and strengthened ministry endowments by focusing on:
• Endowment Education — Helping individuals and churches understand the purpose of how endowments work and the power of why they matter.
• Endowment Creation — Assisting individuals, churches, and ministries in launching new endowments tailored to their mission and vision.
Invest Today…Impact Tomorrow! Those words are more than a motivational slogan. They are the driving force behind what the Free Will Baptist Foundation is about, and what we desire for you to do. We must capitalize on our “such a time as this,” our opportunity to plant financial seeds, water them with consistent giving, and allow the Lord to give the increase of Kingdom growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
Yes, there are real and pressing needs today! But we also must answer our call to action of long-term faithfulness by growing the Free Will Baptist Endowment. How? By including it in our legacy plans and by partnering with the Foundation with your investments. Let today’s monetary resources become tomorrow’s ministry reach.
My father did all he could to invest in me spiritually, academically, physically, socially, and financially. Those faithful days and moments — taking me to church and associational meetings — were investments into my future that have provided larger dividends over time. And not only for me, but for all Free Will Baptists as well. Henry Patrick passed from this life into his eternal home of Heaven in March 2024, but his contributions continue the Lord’s work today and into the future as a part of his legacy.
The Free Will Baptist Foundation is here to provide an avenue for you to do the same.
About the Writer: Brent Patrick became the new CEO and Director of the Free Will Baptist Foundation in October 2025. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in management, and he earned an MBA from Morehead State University. In addition, Brent has served at Southeastern FWB College and pastored Free Will Baptist churches in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia over the past 29 years.
