25th Anniversary Event Highlights & Matching Fund Results

Event Highlights

On April 28th of 2023, 400 people gathered Under the Stars–and a clear top tent–for a fun-filled celebration of all that God has done through the establishment of the Foundation by the congregation on May 17, 1998 and its subsequent implementation.

The evening started off with Don Batchelor humoring the crowd and Mary Raine Ivy emceeing a Foundation-themed Kahoot Trivia Game, which gave the top 30 winners a chance to designate money to a Foundation fund of their choice. Then, Vicki Simmons gave a state of the Foundation overview, Sandy Willson gave an inspiring historical perspective, and George Robertson casted an exciting vision for what the Foundation could do going forward. After a delightful meal “under the stars,” the evening was concluded with a concert by Sandra McCracken.

The guests also saw three videos which gave a closer look at the fruit of Foundation giving: Christian Leadership Development, Home Outreach, and World Outreach.

486 unique gifts totaling $4,990,543.

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Matching Fund Results

WOMEN IN VOCATIONAL MINISTRY FUND

$517,086 raised with match

A group of six women led by Debbie Perkins raised awareness of the fund which was created in December of 2022, resulting in 77 gifts. This helped secure permanent funding toward one full time resident. Plans are in place to secure funding for a second resident. Our initial and current resident – Jessica Uke - is funded by the Foundation from its Undesignated Fund.

GILLESPIE PASTORAL RESIDENCY FUND

$1,010,687 raised with match

One of the oldest Foundation funds, the Gillespie Fund has partially supported 11 pastoral residents such as Chuck Jacob, Barton Kimbro, Mike Davis, Josh Preston and now Brad Morrow. The balance of the support came from the Foundation’s Undesignated Fund. The gifts made and matched along with other recent gifts provide reliable funding for the position and a good start has been made toward a second position.

MUSIC MINISTRY INTERNSHIP FUND

$59,000 raised with match

Fourteen interns have served Second through the music ministry due to this fund, which was started in 2011 simply through a non-music related couple in the congregation who cast the vision and made a contribution to get it going. The funds raised make progress toward having future full time internships. Our own James Ryan came to Second through a combination of being a Fellow and receiving this internship position.

JOHN OWEN RECREATIONAL FUND

$115,600 raised with match

Established as a tribute and memorial for a grandfather who volunteered for his granddaughter’s recreational sports team in a variety of ways, the fund generates aid for youth to participate in 2PC Sports. It provides scholarships for both members and nonmembers from all over the city who otherwise could not participate and creates an incredible outreach opportunity.

IGLESIA PRESBITERIANA ESPERANZA CHURCH FUND

$1,028,139 raised with match

A couple who has supported Esperanza for many years kicked off the campaign for this newly created fund by providing a $250,000 challenge match of their own. Over 72 individuals, 37 of which are not members of 2PC, met the challenge. Members of Esperanza Church personally engaged at a remarkable level including through yard sales and food sales. While the anticipated earned annual interest will support the church, the vision is for Esperanza Church to use the bulk of the Fund to plant another Latino church in Memphis.

THE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MEMPHIS FUND

$1,000,199 raised with match

Located in the Highland Heights neighborhood, the school offers a grade six through twelve college-preparatory, Christian education in a highly structured nurturing environment to children from all around the Greater Memphis community whose families cannot afford the traditional costs associated with this level of private school education. This Foundation fund serves as the school’s endowment for scholarships.

A Word from Executive Director Vicki Simmons

Dear Second Presbyterian Church Family and Friends,

May of 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation. The commemoration spanned eighteen months and included sponsoring six parish events with 211 in attendance; four unique designated fund events with 303 in attendance; an unprecedented congregation- wide event with 400 in attendance; and a matching fund opportunity.

With all praise to our God, strategic and significant impact is the concluding result of these efforts. While the tenacles of this impact are intricate, have longevity, and bear eternal fruit, the broad perspective includes the following.

Ministry Impact

• $4,990,543 generated and channeled for ministry purposes of 2PC and its ministry partners.

• A similar matched amount released for the benefit of specified ministries.

• 31 Foundation Designated Funds further solidified, increasing continuity for ministries. Four new funds were established for a total of 35 Designated Funds significantly impacted.

Church Impact

• Designated Funds provide reliability for Second in multiple areas: significant increases in dedicated support for residents including Youth, Pastoral, Women, and Music; and incremental increases in program funding for departments such as Music and 2PC Sports.

• Allows Second to support its Gospel Priorities Ministries at a strategic level over and above its general operating and world mission budgets.

Foundation Impact

• The Foundation’s overall granting capability is signficantly improved.

• Designated Funds are strengthened.

• Groundwork has been laid for Undesignated Fund to expand strategic granting, leading to

  more ministry impact.

Sister Organization Impact

The following organizations were able to leverage the opportunity to raise significant dollars for the Foundation

Funds that are designated specifically for their ministries:

Christian Psychological Center, Presbyterian Day School, Memphis City Seminary, Campus Outreach, Esperanza, and The Collegiate School of Memphis

During this season in the life of the Foundation, I have been asked - “This is an incredible gift, but why would the Foundation do that? It seems too good to be true.”

So why did the Board of the Foundation carefully consider, deliberate, and ultimately re-align nearly $5,000,000 from its endowment? In the beginning it was a small simple gesture of thanks to you, the members of the congregation, for your support in entrusting the Foundation over these 25 years with both legacy and bequest gifts and those sacrificial gifts above and beyond the church tithes and offerings. It was a way to mark the occasion by allowing you to have a definitive voice in the decision about the ministries that you are indeed passionate about with a match. It also was designed to help the congregation in a tangible way to better understand how the Foundation functions and to whom it makes grants.

Just like the Founders could not imagine that at 25 years the Foundation would have grown from $3,000,000 to nearly $30,598,000 in combined assets while also giving away over $33,000,000, this Board had no idea the response from members of the congregation and other fund stakeholders would be so generous. As a result of participation in the match and other recent gifts to the Foundation, the combined asset amount is now well over $40,000,000.

Due to that response, here we all stand grateful to steward well these resources for the benefit of our beloved church and its Gospel priorities.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the unquantifiable number of ministries and individual lives impacted, THANK YOU and may you know the rich blessings of our eternal Father.

John Owen Recreational Scholarship Fund

God Uses One Family To Pave The Way

John and Frances Owen, their daughter Holly Owen, granddaughters, Elizabeth Owen and Meghean Warner along with her husband, Paul, and their children Gracie, Lilly, and James represent four generations of involvement through Second’s sports program.  

The 2PC Sports program does more than simply teach young people how to play ball. In many cases, it has drawn families into the life of our church and into regular corporate worship. 

This is the story of how God used a man’s love for his granddaughter, coupled with his love for sports, to fuel a ministry to benefit countless families from all across our city. His impact has been far reaching, well beyond what he could have imagined, but well in keeping with his passion for helping others. It all began with this one man’s dedicated role as a sports fan and supporter of his granddaughter’s 2PC athletic pursuits. 

John had a love of sports from an early age and played high school football and even played baseball in a satin uniform. He was the owner of a construction company.

When Meghean was in first grade, she started attending Second Presbyterian recreational sports in the early 1990’s. The 2PC sports program drew them to Second Presbyterian Church initially. Meghean had a natural bent towards sports, playing for 2PC and being coached by Kenny Shackelford all the way through high school. Kenny was the Director of Recreation from 1982-2002. In Kenny’s words, “It was a hodge podge of kids from each school who played on the team together year after year. And that is what made the team so special.” 

Holly warmly recalled how her father was devoted to Meghean, especially after he retired stating “He absolutely adored her.” John was a committed fan of all the 2PC teams and even became the assistant coach for several sports teams at 2PC, focusing mainly on softball. It all started when Kenny needed help coaching when the assistant coach was out for the day, and John readily stepped in. He continued filling in wherever the need was, and soon John was the assistant coach in whatever sport needed him and supplier of water and snacks for the teams. 

Meghean was 9 years old when her grandfather died, passing away in the fall of 1995. He had a sudden diagnosis and was given only three months to live. In fact, it was so sudden that he had been involved with the team as late as that summer. 

John Owen Recreational Scholarship Fund Established – Let’s Play Ball

The John Owen Recreational Scholarship Fund was established as a memorial at John's death by the parents of Meghean's team members along with John’s family. It was transferred to the 2PC Foundation shortly after the Foundation was established. For five years leading up to that transfer, Kenny would faithfully direct people with charitable intent and love for sports to this Fund. As of June 30, 2023 the Fund has a balance of $120,564. 

The purpose of the Fund is to cover 2PC Sports activities and fees for children needing assistance. In addition to individual scholarships for participation in any of the sports offered through 2PC, the original target was to have an inner-city team through the Neighborhood Christian School, now Binghamton Christian Academy (BCA). The Fund would sponsor a whole team or individual children. 

The Fund Scores

In fact, 2PC Sports still works with kids from BCA today. This past year, across all 2PC sports, 30-40 children from BCA received a scholarship through the John Owen Fund. In total 50 scholarships were given last year from the John Owen Fund to children all over the city, including some members of 2PC. Today, Mrs. Owen loves the scope of the sports ministry and that it does not exclude anyone, even children of single parents at Second who might be struggling with an extra expense. The Recreation Department has not had to turn away a single person due to the existence of the Fund.

2PC Sports makes intentional efforts to mix up the teams with families represented from across the city, similar to how Meghean’s teams were when she played for 2PC. The Owen family is delighted and pleased that the original purpose of the Fund continues to be used for children all over the city and said that it is in keeping with who John was since he enjoyed working with all types of people from the city.   

There were 2000 participants in the 2PC Sports program in 2023, and 70% of those are families outside of 2PC. It used to be a majority of 2PC families who played sports at Second, so this is largely due to successful outreach efforts over the years as well as the quality of the sports programs offered. A goal is to capitalize on this incredible opportunity and have one 2PC member on each team to spearhead outreach to the other families.

A Proven Play Call

The current Director of Recreation, Chris Devine states, “The 2PC Sports program has been so effective for so long due to the faithfulness of Kenny and the board. Some of the same board members still are serving today, including Buddy Flinn.” Chris said his department is doing some of the proven things now just like Kenny did. He added that many families either did not have or did not know they needed a church home but came to Second through sports. They were connected to the sports program and eventually came to worship at Second. That happened to Holly and Meghean all those years ago.

Dream Team of Three, Coached by the Best.

Chris noted that John Owen and Kenny Shackleford were the initial mechanisms God used to impact lives through a love for sports and a love for people. Chris’s commitment to running proven plays and yet envisioning the expansion of the program to further leveling the playing field for as many as want to participate provides a sunny future for recreation, a concept designed by the Head Coach Himself.

Foundation Visionaries: Monte Weaver

On the occasion of the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary, it is fitting that Monte Weaver be recognized. Well done, good and faithful servant, Monte Weaver.

Involved for a total of 18 years with the Foundation and an additional two years preparing to establish the Foundation, he has served as Board Chairman, President, and Stewardship Chairman. His leadership was unmistakable in influencing a wide range of areas as he sought to structure a solid and principled organization. It can be stated by all who have worked with him that he stayed on task. That imprint and legacy continues today with an organization that recognizes its unique purpose and role as a supporting organization of the Church.

Recently Monte talked about the beginnings and early years of the Foundation:

“The Second Presbyterian Church Foundation originated when a 2PC member, Charles Sherman, asked Sandy Willson, the Senior Minister, how the Church would administer a significant gift. In response, Sandy contacted Herbert Rhea, a 2PC Elder active in financial consulting, for guidance on how to answer this question. The outgrowth of this question led to the formation of the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation that was originally funded by approximately $3 million of assets from the existing 2PC Wills and Endowment Fund.

The originators of the Foundation soon expanded to include Jim Boren, a retired businessman and attorney; Monte Weaver, a retired CPA;  John Adamson, the Church Administrator; and Bruce Campbell and Johnny Dobbs, both with deep experiences in the business world. The originators then adopted the best practices of several existing Foundations and not-for-profit groups.

Additionally this group, along with Sandy Willson, recognized the potential that existed within 2PC of people who loved the Lord and wanted to share kingdom knowledge using resources above and beyond the tithe.  A foundation had the unique and creative means to carry out the message and would be a benefit to our members and the mission of the Church.

In the early years, the organizers were all volunteers.  Herbert Rhea led the fundraising effort, and Monte Weaver provided the administration. Sandy Willson, Senior Minister, provided great support from the pulpit. After about seven years, the administration was turned over to Vicki Simmons, the present Executive Director.

Foundation Funds were used to continue the work of the Wills and Endowment Committee (primarily educating Christians leaders) and the support of Christian outreach organizations in Memphis and around the World. One use of funds was prohibited: the support of the 2PC annual operating budget or a capital campaign. Adhering to these agreed uses of funds have led to what the Foundation is today.”

In November of 2009 Monte Weaver shared from his own experience some points to ponder on the implications of what it truly means to open wide our hands in lifetime stewardship giving.

Reflections on Giving
A family’s life-time stewardship

By Monte Weaver

We give because Christ first gave to us.  It is from this gift that our hearts are filled with winsome and overflowing generosity.  Let us remember our call to be good stewards, not only of the gifts that we have been given, but of the Kingdom that is to be proclaimed. 

Eternity and Me

“….but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”  -Romans 6:23

The knowledge that I will cross from death to eternal life with Jesus Christ gives me a joy and peace that is found nowhere else.  With this knowledge, I am relieved of all fears and doubts that come from trusting in my possessions, my power, and my friends.  Thinking about this gift from God makes me realize that the most important thing I can do is to share this gift of Salvation with others.  Knowing that the portion of financial resources that I give to the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation will be used for leading others to eternity in God’s presence adds to the peace and joy in my life.  It is also comforting to know that my financial participation in the Foundation will provide intergenerational encouragement of evangelism to inner-city Memphis and the wider world, bringing Christ’s message of compassion and hope to all people.

The World of my Children and their Children

“…there were also prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.”  -2 Peter 2:1

When I think of the impact of false teachings in the world today and the precedence they take over the absolute truth of Biblical core values, I get very concerned about the world my children and their children will live in.  Already, we see many disheartening effects of these false teachings—idolatry, sexual brokenness, covetousness, self righteousness, and a society where it is politically correct to accept a pluralistic world view to the exclusion of Biblical standards of right and wrong.  Yet, even in the midst of these concerns, I know God is faithful in showing us the way to live.  One answer God provides is that we must train future leaders (II Timothy 2:2). 

The Foundation has been true to this command by providing funds for youth internships, pastoral internships, inner-city pastoral training through MCUTS (Memphis Center for Theological Studies) and seminary students desiring to go into full-time Christian service. My planned gift to the Foundation’s undesignated fund will enable it to expand the funding for the training of future Christian leaders.

My Lifetime Stewardship Plan

“…from the one who has been entrusted much, much will be asked.”   Luke 12:48

These words spoken by Jesus to His disciples cause me to pause and think of my response.  Because I, like many Americans, have been entrusted with much, I ask myself “How do I respond to God for the gifts He has given me?”

Some of the answers are simple.  I give a tithe of all I earn to the Second Presbyterian Church; I support Second’s capital campaigns and other needy causes in Memphis and America.  But I can’t stop here, because I also realize that Jesus says that I must be willing to give Him my all and He teaches that what I “give to the least of these,” I give unto Him.  It is here that deciding what to do with my abundance becomes more complex.

Certainly I can follow the prevalent approach of accumulating as much as I can and leave all I have accumulated to my children.  But just a little thought here raises major questions. Is this approach consistent with Jesus’ teachings?  My children are already living an abundant life.  Is adding to their abundance the best use of my resources?

So, after much thought, I have decided to follow Jesus’ teachings to care for others and, at the same time, set up a stewardship example for my children to follow by giving more than a tithe of financial gains through long-term investments and any other windfall gain I may receive.  Further, I have made an estate plan that will share a portion of all that is left after I am gone to be with the Lord.

These gifts are made to the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation for its use in promoting God’s Kingdom in Memphis, America and the World. In offering gifts over and above my tithe, I follow Jesus’ teachings.  I do not go away from Jesus sad as the rich young ruler did, but, rather, I find hope in Jesus’ words, “well done my good and faithful servant.”

 My Estate Plan

“But God said to him, you fool!  This very night your life will be demanded from you.”  Luke 12:20

This quote from Scripture warns me to be on my guard against greed, but it also states a truth about the uncertainty of life.  This uncertainty of lifespan caused me as a young adult to put a plan in place that would handle my affairs if I were unable to.

I, like most people I know, do not want to place a burden on anyone, including my family.  After discussing our desires with our attorney, we had the following documents created: a Will, Living Will, durable power of attorney and durable power of attorney for health care.

What we learned in the process of preparing these documents is that all except the Living Will are necessary if we want our wishes implemented at our deaths or incapacitations. The optional Living Will is a personal preference we chose after hearing its advantages and disadvantages.  As a result of having these documents in place, we now have the peace of mind that our wishes will be followed in the administration of our affairs, that health care will be provided if we are incapacitated, and that our assets will be transferred according to our wishes at our deaths.

By making arrangements to share our assets with the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation for its use in spreading the Gospel in Memphis, America, and around the World, it became apparent that this was the single most important act of stewardship we have performed.

Women in Vocational Ministry Residency Fund Established

The Women in Vocational Ministry Residency Fund has been established as the first one of its kind. The purpose of the fund is to provide support for a residency program at the church that gives opportunities to women aspiring to full time Christian ministry work. The new fund establishes financial support specifically for women to hold residency positions through Second’s strategic missional efforts to train participants through on-the-job ministry experiences, while seeking degrees that support their ministry aspirations.

This program will prepare and equip women to be sent out as ministry leaders into strategic opportunities, such as counseling, outreach, women’s ministry, missions, Christian non-profits, and other areas, in order to expand the kingdom of God. Residency components typically include seeking a Master’s degree; taking leadership responsibilities in Sunday School and/or community groups such as parishes or small groups; and focusing on identified areas of concentration.

Second Presbyterian Church has historically supported the professional development of residents in the areas of pastors, youth, and more recently the music ministry. The establishment of this fund continues in the tradition of this strategic mission of the church and Foundation. The initial goal is to equip a woman qualified for vocational ministry every 2-3 years.

Brett Wynne is the pastor that oversees the LAUNCH program. He states, “The LAUNCH program has been a strategic program for the life and mission of our church. We have been able to hire pastors to lead our congregation and send out pastors throughout the nation. The recent addition of a Women in Vocational Ministry component to the LAUNCH program will not only allow us to send out pastors but women who are called into ministry as well. We are excited at the opportunity to be able to train and send out women in a variety of fields, prepared for positions such as women in ministry directors; counselors; missionaries; ministry directors or leaders; or other influential roles in kingdom building life. The establishment of this specific fund ensures a commitment to this vitally important need.” 

Jessica Uke is the first woman in this new role. Jessica is seeking a counseling degree and is using her skillset and training as she works within the church and specifically the young adult ministry. She receives ministry training alongside other LAUNCH participants as they grow into each of their respective residency positions. The Foundation is supporting the church through its Undesignated Fund with this initial position with a view of enabling these internships long term through the establishment of this new fund.

Jessica recently said, “I feel extremely privileged to be the first participant in the Women in Vocational Ministry component of the LAUNCH program here at Second. I am currently getting my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and before I started applying to schools, I felt two strong convictions that ultimately steered my decision-making process: I felt called to be in Memphis, and I felt called to remain an active member of Second Presbyterian Church. In His complete sovereignty, the Lord has continued to show me how He can use me with my specific skills and gifts. I feel called to serve by way of mental health counseling and through encouragement from my friends and family—many of whom are here at Second—I feel more affirmed each and every day. Through this support, my postgraduate education and vocational training has moved from just a dream to a reality, and I am so grateful. To think that there will be a permanent fund that will help other women receive training in vocational ministry brings me joy.”

The Foundation welcomes the receipt of funds from members of Second and the community at large for the purpose of providing support for this effort. Debbie Perkins and a team of volunteers have engaged in making the congregation aware of this opportunity.

If you would like to make a contribution, simply direct your gift to the attention of Second Presbyterian Church Foundation: Women in Vocational Ministry Residency Fund or donate here. Donations made prior to December 31, 2023 will be matched at 100% up to $500,000.

If you would like to learn more about the Fund or discuss ways in which you can participate, contact Debbie Perkins at dbperkins57@gmail.com or Vicki Simmons at (901) 507-7898 or vicki.simmons@2pc.org.

Foundation in Action: Christian Leadership Development

Foundation grants over 24 years total $32,084,000. Of that amount, $5,014,000 has been made to further Christian Leadership Development.

These have been for seminary development and scholarships; pastoral, youth, and music residents; post college development, such as Fellows and Nexus; children’s music and church library; and scholarships through PDS, ECS, French Camp, and college music. Some of the fruit includes 76 seminarians; 11 pastoral residents; 30 youth residents; and 14 music ministry interns.

Seminarians have earned a variety of master level degrees at approved reformed seminaries. The goal is to provide support for our members while they are taking theological training, that they may be able to give themselves more fully to intensive study and preparation for serving our Lord Jesus Christ in full time Christian service.

Recent graduates include:  

• Dean Franklin - MA /Biblical Studies from RTS/Global

• Austin McCann –MDiv and MACC from RTS/Charlotte

• Artez Henderson –MDiv from RTS/Orlando

• Josh Preston –MDiv from RTS/Orlando

• Taylor Tollison –Master of Theology from Covenant  

One of those is Second’s covenant child, Austin McCann. Austin in the son of Wes and Marianne McCann and the brother of Wes, Luke, and Clay. Austin was a faithful member of Second and attended ECS and Mississippi State University before attending Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He currently serves as RUF Campus Minister at Texas A&M. He is married to Alex and they have two children, Henry and Betsy.

25th Anniversary Matching Fund Opportunity

In honor of the Foundation's 25th anniversary, new gifts given to specific designated funds will be matched at 100% up to $500,000 per fund through 2023, with a $2,500,000 total cap.

The Foundation has approximately 40 designated funds. Gifts not designated to a specific fund are not matched but are warmly welcomed as they will go to the endowed Undesignated Fund, and the earnings are used to make significant strategic and entrepreneurial grants to ministry partners.

Eligible designated funds include:

Scholarships

Elementary School

• Clay Scholarship Fund (PDS)

  • This fund assists members of Second Presbyterian Church and the ministerial staff with tuition assistance for their sons to attend Presbyterian Day School.

• Young Scholars Program (PDS)

  • This fund provides scholarships for boys in Memphis and the surrounding communities who would not otherwise have access to a Christian education through PDS.

High School

• Meredith Ashley Fox Memorial Scholarship Fund (ECS)

  • Earnings and a portion of the principal from this memorial fund provide scholarships for eligible graduates of Binghampton Christian Academy to attend Evangelical Christian School.

• Graduates of Binghampton Christian Academy Fund

  • This fund provides scholarships for graduates of BCA who are accepted for enrollment at eligible schools at the secondary education level.

College

• Berl Olswanger Memorial Music Scholarship Fund

  • The earnings from this fund provide scholarships for qualified Christian students majoring in music at the college level.

• College Music Scholarship Fund

  • The purpose of this fund is to support the objective of the endowed Berl Olswanger Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, which is to provide scholarship(s) to one or more qualified Christian students majoring in music by making expendable resources available.

• Visible Music College Scholarship Fund

  • This fund provides scholarships for students in need, who are accepted for enrollment at the global Christian college.

• Neighborhood Christian Center Scholarship Fund

  • Earnings from this fund provide scholarships for needy and deserving students for enrollment at a post-secondary educational institution or vocational training school.

Post-College

• The Fellows Fund

  • This fund provides scholarships and allows for the expansion of this program that promotes the relevance of the church to a generation of emerging leaders and instructs how our faith informs our work.

Seminary

• Seminarian Support Fund

  • Earnings fund conditional scholarship grants for approved 2PC members to attend seminary and obtain a Masters-level degree.

• T. Russell Seminarian Support Fund

  • The fund provides conditional scholarship grants for approved 2PC members to attend seminary and obtain a Masters-level degree. Members eligible for support are African American, Hispanic or anyone seeking to serve in urban ministry.

• Crosby Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Earnings fund conditional scholarship grants for approved 2PC members to attend seminary and obtain a Masters-level degree.

Internships

• Gillespie Pastoral Internship Fund

  • The income from this fund is used to pay the salary of pastoral interns during their internship at Second Presbyterian Church.

• Women in Vocational Ministry Residency Fund

  • The income from this fund is used to pay the salary of women aspiring to full-time Christian ministry as they train at Second Presbyterian Church in selected areas such as counseling, outreach, women’s ministry, or missions.

• Youth Internship Fund

  • Earnings from this fund are used for compensation for interns being trained for Youth Ministry.

• Music Ministry Internship Fund

  • This fund sponsors academic year and summer internships for college students to serve within the music ministry of Second Presbyterian Church.

Music

• Second Conservatory of Music Fund

  • This fund provides scholarships for individuals to build musical preparation for future service in ministry, music performance, and enjoyment.

Media

• Riley Broadcast Technology Ministry Fund

  • This fund exists to support the broadcasting and streaming capabilities of the teaching and preaching ministries of the church.

Library

• Bee Wallis Memorial Library Fund

  • Earnings from this fund are to be used for the benefit of the Second Presbyterian Church Library.

Children at 2PC

• Sharpe Music Education and Children’s Ministry Fund

  • The earnings from this fund support Second’s children’s music education and related activities.

• Donna Kyle Nursery Fund

  • Earnings from this fund are for use to support the nursery or children’s ministry.

• John Owen Recreation Fund

  • The earnings on this fund provide aid for youth to participate in the recreation program at 2PC.

Family

• Chauncey Johnson Family Camp Scholarship Fund

  • Income from this fund is used for scholarships to attend 2PC Family Camp.

Mission

• Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund

  • This fund and its earnings are used to provide financial support to church planting efforts at home and around the world that are strategic, missional, and reformed in character.

Memphis

• Memphis Intercity Mission Fund

  • The earnings from this fund provide grants to address the needs of the inner city.

• Urban Ministry Fund

  • This fund and its earnings are used to establish inner-city missions in Memphis.

• Home Mission Fund

  • The earnings from this fund support home mission grants.

• Christian Psychological Center Fund

  • Earnings are to be used as a supplement to funds available for research and new program development as well as to pay for consultation services for those who need counseling but cannot pay the fee.

World

• Chloe Malone Burch Foreign Mission Fund

  • Earnings fund grants made by the Foundation in support of foreign missions.

• Wetter World Mission Fund

  • Earnings from this fund support world missions activities.

• Charles and Rebecca Sherman World Mission Fund

  • Earnings provide funding for use by the Second Presbyterian Church World Missions Committee.

Individuals who wish to champion a fund are encouraged to contact the Foundation office to see how the Foundation might support awareness activities that would benefit the fund. Vicki Simmons can be reached at (901) 507-7898 or vsimmons@2pc.org .

Our Commitment to World Missions

As our church focuses on World Missions during this season, it is a good time to see how the Foundation complements this important ministry component. Here are some highlights.

• The Foundation has granted $4,462,000 to world outreach initiatives since its inception in 1998. That represents just under 33% of all grants other than those from Donor Advised Funds, from which many other grants were made to world outreach ministries.

• Over 30 ministries have received $3,326,000 of that total. Click here to view those ministries.

• The remaining $1,136,000 was granted from a thus designated fund (Sherman Fund) to the church’s World Missions Committee for their use and further deployment.

• This year the Grants Committee considers $270,000 in new grants. 

Associate Pastor and World Missions Director Dan Burns comments on the role of the Foundation in regard to world missions: “The vision of World Missions at 2PC is to engage in holistic ministry in three overlapping areas: ministries of compassion, ministry to the under-evangelized, and ministry to the unreached areas of the world. The Foundation plays a vital role in launching new initiatives in each of these areas, by mobilizing ministries of compassion, developing ministry to the under-evangelized, and pioneering ministry among the unreached.”

Gifting Memorials to Give Gospel Life

Did you know that giving a memorial or an honorarium is a meaningful, thoughtful, and simple act that can be used strategically to advance the gospel?

When you choose to memorialize or honor a friend or family member through the Foundation, you have chosen an effective way to give by leveraging a small amount of money which cumulatively reaps a large impact. This strategy is yet another way in which individual amounts are pooled and invested, resulting in the spread of the Gospel.  

Memorials and honorariums are a way to easily support our church’s Foundation at any level. It is also easy to do. Gifts of any amount may be made by check or by accessing the Foundation’s web page at www.2pcfoundation.org and clicking on the “Give a Memorial” button at the bottom of the home screen. You can also scroll to the bottom of this page and click the “Give a Memorial” button. In either case, simply let us know:

• who the gift is in memory or honor of

• who to send an acknowledgement to 

• whether the gift is designated or undesignated

Most memorials or honorariums are undesignated as to their use. This means that the interest earned from the Undesignated Fund is used in perpetuity to annually support significant grants that are made in the three arenas of Christian Leadership Development, World Outreach, and Domestic Outreach. 

However, you can designate to which Foundation fund you would like your gift to be made. For instance, if you feel or the person being recognized felt strongly about world missions, you could designate your fund toward the Gospel’s global advance. Any Foundation fund may receive gifts of this nature. Some of the designated funds that most often receive these sorts of gifts are the Willson Church Planting Fund; the T. Russell Seminarian Fund; the Burch World Missions Fund; and the Meredith Fox Scholarship Fund. You can learn about the various designated funds through the website’s FUNDation STRONG page, which lists the funds and explores the history, purpose, and results of each one.

Since the Foundation was established in 1998, a total of $427,570 in undesignated memorials have been made. Additionally, various amounts of memorials have been made to a variety of designated funds. That represents thousands of individuals, both church members and nonmembers, whose contributions have been harnessed and utilized to bear fruit. 

An option exists for those desiring a permanent memorial to ensure lasting remembrance of a spouse, relative, or dear friend and to further Christ’s work. Gifts have a range of commitment levels for the donor and are based on what the donor desires to achieve should a memorial be established. If you would like to discuss a potential gift to the Foundation for this purpose, contact Vicki Simmons at (901) 454-0034, ext. 193 or vsimmons@2pc.org.

Foundation Visionaries: Bruce and Carter Campbell

Members of Second Presbyterian Church since 1987, Bruce and Judith Campbell are the parents of Carter Campbell as well as son Bruce, who lives in Houston, Texas. They have five grandchildren. They are long time members of the Sojourners Sunday School class.

Bruce served as Chairman and CEO of the Board for National Bank of Commerce until early 1993. After retiring from full time service at the bank at that time, he continued to serve on the Board and he also served as the Executive Committee Chairman for a number of years. SunTrust acquired NBC in 2004.  

He was a member of the Foundation Board for 13 years over the time frame of 1998-2012, serving as the inaugural Chairman of the Grants Committee. Bruce was known for his insightful vetting of grant applications and his ability to offer sound principles for the operation of not only ministry partners but the Foundation itself. This was particularly helpful as the Foundation began to figure out how it was going to develop policies and implement practices across multiple areas including grants, investments, stewardship, and general operations.  

Hear from Bruce about his involvement with the Foundation:

Some years ago, I was fortunate to join Second`s Foundation Board.  I knew of the Foundation`s establishment, but it was only after being involved that I began to understand what an important and vital role it served in the life and mission of our church.

The Foundation was established thanks to the foresight of elders Herbert Rhea, Monte Weaver, Jim Boren, and others.  It was created in part to complement the church with grant activities beyond the year-to-year capacity of the annual church budget.  Very wisely, the founders restricted the Foundation from contributions to the church’s annual budget - which historically has become a real problem for some wealthy churches in other parts of the country.

Annual giving is good and necessary for the life of our church but the time horizon for gifts to the Foundation is in years or decades.  Those gifts will be doing good works for the Kingdom long after you are gone. The Foundation supports church members attending seminary plus multiyear support of foreign and home mission activities in coordination with the church.  Foundation funds are responsibly managed by professionals and overseen by the Foundation’s Investment Committee, which is comprised of members of Second with financial experience.

It is for these reasons that Judith and I have included the Foundation in our estate plans.

Members of Second Presbyterian Church since 2002, Carter and Bowie Campbell are the parents of Frazer (Vanderbilt), Eleanor (University of Virginia), and Carter (Memphis University School). They are members of Cornerstone Sunday School class.  

Carter has previously worked in banking and started a new business several years ago. National Property Concepts is oriented around repurposing excess space in existing bank branch locations.

He currently is a member of the Foundation Board, serving for six years since mid-2016. He currently serves on the Nominating and the Grants Committees and as Chair of the Scholarships Sub-Committee, which oversees among other things everything related to our seminarians. 

Hear from Carter about his dad and the Foundation:

Dad had a wonderful influence on so many people; myself included. He genuinely loved the people who worked at the bank, and he treated them accordingly. One the biggest lessons Dad taught me was how to treat others. He was by no means perfect, yet I learned how to treat people by listening to him at the dinner table and observing how he interacted with people at the bank and in everyday life.   

I remember Dad talking about the 2PC Foundation, and he was so excited to see young folks going into full time ministry. I recall him describing how the Foundation played such a pivotal role in allowing these folks to attend seminary. His involvement with the Foundation certainly impacted me and my interest in serving when I was approached years later.  

As a believer in Christ and His kingdom, it has been incredibly rewarding and encouraging to learn through the Foundation about the things God is doing around the globe to extend His kingdom of mercy and grace to a hurting and broken world.  

Through this involvement, my views on the needs in the local community and the world arena have been impacted. I would say I have been thoroughly encouraged.  This broken world aches on every level of life, and the answer is the gospel of Jesus Christ, who came to save lost sinners.  It is easy to get discouraged.  However, I have been immensely encouraged by what God is doing around the world, and serving on the Foundation has encouraged my heart.  Whether its supporting folks pursuing seminary degrees, foreign missionaries, or local ministries, God has blessed the 2PC Foundation with the privilege of supporting a variety of initiatives to expand God’s kingdom.   

For those who might be considering becoming involved with the mission of the Foundation I would say that if you desire to support the expansion of God’s kingdom at home and around the world, I’m not aware of another entity like it.  I would encourage anyone to consider including 2PC Foundation in their estate and gift planning. From wonderful resource stewardship to strategic and targeted missional support, 2PC Foundation is a unique vehicle to support initiatives oriented around extending God’s kingdom.