GuideStone launches push to assist retirees

GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention (Annuity Board) has launched a concentrated effort to locate retired Southern Baptist workers, ministers or widows whose income is insufficient to meet daily needs.

“We are seeking the help of laypersons, pastors and associational directors of missions to aid us in finding individuals or couples who may not be aware that assistance is available to them,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said in a March 15 news release.

For more than 80 years, GuideStone has provided critical financial relief to thousands of retired Southern Baptists workers, ministers or their widows.

“These dear people are often reluctant to ask for help. Our hope is they will see this is as a way for their Southern Baptist family to honor their years of devoted service,” Hawkins said.

John Ambra, GuideStone’s director of endowment, said, “God’s promise to provide for His faithful servants, and our opportunity to act on that promise, are at the heart of GuideStone’s Adopt An Annuitant ministry.

“We need for local church members to be sensitive to the living conditions of aged ministers or their widows, and then to act if a need is discovered,” he added.

Assistance from the program is not limited to pastors of their widows. Any retiree age 65 or older with 10 or more years of paid Southern Baptist service is eligible to apply. Other eligibility guidelines include an income of less than $1,250 per month for single applicants and less than $1,665 per month for married applicants.

Applicants also must have less than $30,000 in assets, excluding their home.

Recipients must meet the eligibility guidelines and re-qualify for the assistance every two years. A widow or widower, married at least 10 years to an individual who would have met the qualifications, also is eligible to apply.

Anyone with knowledge of an individual or couple who may qualify is urged to call GuideStone’s toll-free number, 1-800-262-0511, or send an e-mail to adopt@GuideStone.org and provide the possible candidate’s name and address or request an application on their behalf.

(BP)