|
|
|
| Growing Up With Awana - A Bequest Story |
Timeless. The word seems to describe Chuck and Hope Sampson. Chuck began his involvement with what would become Awana back in 1937 at the North Side Gospel Center under Doc Latham. There he accepted Christ as his Savior, memorized scripture and hid God's Word in his heart. There he learned to serve God singing with the White Shirt Brigade and working with prisoners through the Fishermen's Club. Chuck even met Hope through Awana, the young girl who would later become his wife.
For almost 70 years, Chuck and Hope worked on and off with Awana. "We are what you could call an Awana family," Hope laughed, "that is a four-generation Awana family. We, our children, our grandchildren, and now our great grandchildren, have all grown up with Awana."
"The most important part of Awana is the scripture memory," commented Chuck. "When you memorize God's Word, God can speak to you. He puts the love of God in your heart."
Chuck and Hope credit Awana and the family's memorization of the Living Word with helping their family members mature in Christ. "I remember," began Hope, "when our children, Randy and Pam started an Awana Club at a nearby church. Years later we visited the church and found it full of kids reciting their verses to listeners."
Then last year the faith of the entire family was tested when their 23-year-old grandson "Mitch" drowned in an accident in Wisconsin. "We had the peace of knowing Mitch died knowing the Lord through his parents, Gaye and Bob Swaback, and the Awana program," explained Chuck.
God, however, not only works in the lives of children and grandchildren. "We always knew eventually God would use us as missionaries," commented Hope. "We were praying for years about how God would use us AFTER WE RETIRED. Then the company where I worked was acquired by another firm, and I was out of a job," explained Chuck. "The future was now, not later."
In 1988, Chuck and Hope joined Wycliffe Bible Translators as directors working with lay people and training. Then in 1996, God opened the door for them to start a TV ministry for Wycliffe - interviewing missionaries and sharing their stories. Today they are still busy for God continuing through with their TV ministry. "Age is not a factor with God. You simply need to use what you have."
Currently Chuck and Hope are going through the process of reviewing their goals and estate plan. "We have remembered Awana in a significant way in our trust, because that was where our walk with God started." Through their trust, Chuck and Hope are leaving a legacy of encouraging children around the world to memorize God's Word.
Have you remembered Awana in your will or trust? If so, we would like to thank you by welcoming you in to Founders Circle. We would also enjoy sharing your legacy story with others. Please email us at jeffs@awana.org or call us at 800-22AWANA.
You also may want to make it easy and convenient to have a bequest included in your will. The language below shows how a bequest can very easily be included in your will.
You might find it helpful to select the "print" button on the top of your screen and print this page. You may feel free to give this page to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please have them contact Jeff Schacherer at phone number 800-22-AWANA or e-mail me at jeffs@awana.org.
 Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
A gift by bequest will allow you to retain full control and access to an estate, but also provides the lifetime satisfaction of knowing that ultimately any unneeded assets will be put to good use. There are a variety of ways of providing for Awana in your will, but bequests generally take one of these three forms:
- A specific bequest leaves a specified dollar amount or a fixed percentage of your estate to Awana.
- A residuary bequest first gives the amounts you specify to the individuals you choose, and leaves the balance to Awana.
- A contingent bequest gives Awana the portion of your estate designated for another person if that person predeceases you.
Even without drawing a whole new will, a bequest can be provided simply by adding a codicil to an existing will. In any event, an attorney's guidance is recommended. Illustrative language of bequests for various uses is included below.
*Specific Bequest: (stated amount)
"I give, devise, and bequeath $_____________ to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purpose."
*Specific Bequest: (percentage of estate)
"I give, devise, and bequeath _____________% of my estate to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purposes."
*Residuary Clause: (remainder of estate)
"All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, wherever situated, I give, devise, and bequeath to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purposes."
*Contingent Interest Clause:
"I give, devise, and bequeath ___________ to (Name of Person) the sum of $__________ in the event her (or she) shall survive me. Should (Name of Person) predecease me, I give, devise and bequeath said sum to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purpose.
You may print a Bequest tri-fold brochure. Voice of a Legacy or Will Your Will be Known.
Check out our brochure entitled, What legacy will you leave?
|
© Copyright 1999-2010 Crescendo Interactive, Inc.
|
|
