Your Legacy of Faith: Why planned giving matters

As believers, we understand that everything we have is a gift from God—entrusted to us for a season and for a purpose. Our time, talents, and treasures are all part of the story God is writing through our lives. One of the most meaningful ways we can continue that story, even after we've gone to our eternal reward in Heaven, is through Planned Giving—a thoughtful, prayerful decision to include causes close to your heart in your Estate Plan.

At Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina (BCH), we are incredibly blessed by individuals and families who choose to support this ministry—not just now but well into the future—through Planned Gifts. These gifts ensure that children in crisis, special needs adults, aging seniors, and families seeking adoption will continue to experience the love of Christ for generations to come.

But before we talk more about BCH, we want to begin where every conversation about giving should begin—with the local church.

Always Start with the Local Church

At BCH, we believe deeply in the importance of the local church. It is the place where faith is nurtured, where the Gospel is preached, and where mission giving begins. Your local church is your spiritual home—and it should be the first place your generosity flows.

Planned Giving should never replace your faithfulness to the church. Instead, it should extend from it. Once you've been obedient and generous to your congregation—supporting its ministries, mission efforts, and outreach—then you can prayerfully consider how to bless other ministries that have shaped your life—like BCH.

We urge every North Carolina Baptist to view their Estate Plan as a final act of stewardship and discipleship, one that first honors your church and then leaves a lasting spiritual legacy through the ministries that reflect your heart.

The Time to Plan Is Now

Here's a sobering truth: Most Americans do not have a will. They may delay it because life is busy or because thinking about the end of life feels uncomfortable. But as Christians, we are called to live—and to prepare—with eternal purpose.

Creating an Estate Plan is an act of love. It allows you to care for your family, express your values, and support the causes and ministries that matter most to you. More importantly, it gives you control over how your resources are used after you are gone.

Without a will, the government—not you—will decide how your estate is administered. That can mean missed opportunities to bless your loved ones, your church, and the ministries that align with your faith.

What Is Planned Giving?

Planned Giving is simply the process of intentionally including charitable gifts as part of your long-term estate and financial planning. This can include:

• A bequest in your will or trust

• Naming a ministry as a beneficiary of your retirement or life insurance

• Establishing a charitable trust

• Gifting property or other assets

These gifts don't typically impact your current financial situation, but can have a tremendous impact after your lifetime. They allow you to continue supporting Kingdom work long after your time on Earth is complete.

Passing on a Legacy of Generosity

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Planned Giving is the legacy it leaves—not just financially, but spiritually. When you take the time to talk to your children and grandchildren about giving, estate planning, and supporting ministries like BCH, you teach them a crucial lesson: our generosity reflects our faith.

Children learn by example. If they see that you prioritized the church, that you gave joyfully, and that you thoughtfully prepared to bless others, even after your passing, they will be more likely to do the same. One of the most important discipleship tools we have as parents and grandparents is modeling a life of generosity rooted in the Gospel.

We encourage you to make these conversations a part of your family life. Let your loved ones know why you give. Share stories of how your church and BCH have impacted you. And let them see that your giving is not about obligation—it's about worship, obedience, and love.

Your Gift Can Change Lives

At Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina, we've seen firsthand how a single legacy gift can transform lives. Whether large or small, these gifts provide safety, healing, and hope to vulnerable children, adults with special needs, and aging seniors. They help us share the love of Christ in practical, powerful ways.

When you include BCH in your Estate Plan—after first blessing your local church—you are helping write a new future for someone who desperately needs to know they are loved and not forgotten.

Let Us Help You Get Started

Planned Giving may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. At BCH, we're here to help. We can connect you with trusted partners, provide free resources, and help you explore ways to structure your estate plan according to your values and goals.

It all begins with one simple step—creating a will. From there, you can prayerfully consider how your resources can make an eternal difference.

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Your legacy is more than what you leave behind—it's the faith you pass forward.

Let that legacy begin in your church, flow through your family, and reach into the future through ministries like Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina.

For more information about Planned Giving, contact me, Senior Director of Development Jody Yopp, by calling 1-704-314-5291, emailing jyopp@bchfamily.org, or visiting www.bchfamily.org/legacy. I would be honored to walk with you as you plan to leave your legacy of faith.

Written by Jody Yopp, Senior Director of Development and Planned Giving