Florida Conference
Florida Conference
Florida Conference
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Collegedale Academy
Collegedale Academy
On a warm Sabbath morning in Miami, Florida, floor fans blew furiously, attempting to cool the ever-warming Miami Temple Church sanctuary. The church’s air conditioning was broken and needed to be replaced. Additionally, there were several code violations with the building that needed to be addressed. To fix it all would cost $200,000, an amount the church did not have — at least, not yet. Before the Sabbath service ended, a gift in the form of a check was received. The story behind the gift is not about money, but about faith and trust in God that bears fruit.
What is Planned Giving and Trust
Planned Giving and Trust Services exist to help Church members steward the resources God has entrusted to them. Planned Giving helps individuals and families navigate the present and prepare for the future through wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and other estate-planning tools.
According to Phil Bond, director of development and planned giving for the Florida Conference, the work is about much more than money. “It’s a spiritual matter in my opinion,” said Bond. “God’s got all the money He needs …. It’s more about [the giver’s] heart.”
The Planned Giving and Trust Services Department is designed to serve members without pressure or obligation. Whether or not someone chooses to include the Church in their plans, trained representatives help ensure estate documents reflect the member’s wishes.
A Gift Arriving at Just the Right Time
When Dewayne Merren passed away, she left 50% of the proceeds for her house to benefit the Miami Temple Church. When the property sold, a representative from Florida Planned Giving and Trust Services visited the church on a Sabbath morning to present the check. When the representative spoke to the pastor about the check, he said it should be presented to the church’s treasurer. When the pastor knocked on the door, the treasurer, half-jokingly, answered “Don’t come in unless you have $200,000.” They opened the door and handed the treasurer a check for $195,485.
The treasurer was excited to receive a check that would almost completely cover the amount needed to fix the church’s broken air conditioning units and update the church to comply with various codes.
Because of this providential gift, the Miami Church was able to enjoy a new air conditioning system in a short amount of time. The church was also able to fix the various violations, and ensure a safer environment for members and visitors.
Land Set Apart for Mission
When people think about giving to God, they often think only about putting money in an offering plate, but there are other meaningful ways to support God’s Work.
A few years ago, a couple contacted Trust Services at Kentucky-Tennessee Conference with a more unusual gift idea. Though they no longer lived within the Conference, they still owned a piece of vacant land near Nashville, Tennessee. After prayer and reflection, they felt impressed to donate the property to support several ministries that were close to their hearts.
Working with Kentucky-Tennessee Trust Services Department and Silke Hubbard, Association secretary, and her team, the couple transferred the property to the Conference. The land was sold soon after, and the proceeds were distributed according to the couple’s wishes, benefiting multiple ministries.
Reflecting on their decision, the couple shared, “Everything we have comes from God — our minds, talents, and even our possessions. The Bible says all the silver and gold belong to God, as well as the cattle on a thousand hills. We like to say things are ‘ours,’ but really, everything is just on loan from God. He gives it to us to use for His glory and to help others. Our job is to be faithful with what He’s given us. Praise God if this gift honored Him!”
For this couple, giving was not about what they gave up, but about what was gained for God’s Work. Non-cash assets such as property, stocks, or other valuables can be powerful tools for advancing mission when handled thoughtfully and prayerfully.
Investing in Eternity Through Adventist Education
A graduate of Collegedale Academy (CA) Class of 1958, Ralph M. Hendershot maintained a warm connection with his alma mater throughout his life. He loved looking through the newest yearbooks, and always enjoyed hearing how CA students were growing, serving, and thriving. Throughout his life, Hendershot was a faithful giver to the Collegedale Academy Worthy Student Fund. The Worthy Student Fund provides financial assistance to students who need support to continue their Christ-centered education. His lifelong support of the ministry culminated in a planned gift of $100,000 from Hendershot’s estate.
Collegedale Academy serves approximately 880 students from early education through 12th grade, and nearly 23% of the student body receive financial aid made possible entirely through donor support. This year, the need was unusually great. Rising costs and economic pressures on families resulted in more than $600,000 in financial aid being awarded — nearly $100,000 above a typical year. Hendershot’s generosity allowed Collegedale Academy to say “yes” to students whose families simply could not bridge the financial gap.
“Every gift to the Worthy Student Fund not only opens the doors of Collegedale Academy to students who might otherwise be left behind — it also opens their hearts to Christ, making each student a living part of our Church’s mission to share God’s love with the world,” said Marilee Silverstein, Collegedale Academy director of advancement.
One Worthy Student Fund recipient said in reflection of their ability to attend Collegedale Academy: “Thanks to the generosity of donors, I’ve been able to focus on my education and faith without worry. Their support has truly made a lasting impact on my life.”
Hendershot’s planned gift is a powerful reminder that stewardship does not end with a lifetime. Through thoughtful planning and faithful trust in God, one person’s values can continue shaping lives for generations. His legacy is already shaping lives, strengthening families, and helping young people receive a Christ-centered education.
Planned Giving as a Ministry
Within the Southern Union, Planned Giving and Trust Services are intentionally framed as a ministry of service rather than a fundraising mechanism. The focus is not on persuading members to give, but on helping them steward what God has entrusted to them with wisdom, clarity, and peace of mind.
Trained representatives are available in every conference to answer questions across a wide range of planning topics. While Trust Services staff do not provide stock market or investment advice, they are equipped to assist members’ questions related to planned giving and trusts. For example, members seeking information about rolling over an IRA account to charity, or those interested in faith-based investment opportunities can receive guidance and educational resources through their conference office.
How to Learn More
Several conferences within the Southern Union have partnered to offer Savvy Seminars for Seventh-day Adventists, a Zoom-based webinar series designed to equip members with practical, faith-informed guidance on financial and life-planning topics. Past seminars have addressed issues such as avoiding scams and identity theft, understanding Medicare changes, and strategies for avoiding probate.
The next Savvy Seminar is scheduled for February 24, 2026, and is titled “Help! Our Kids Are BAD with Money.”
The webinar is free, but advance registration is required. To register, visit www.pgtsevents.org.
Planned Giving and Trust Services are available through local conferences across the Southern Union. Members are encouraged to contact their conference Planned Giving and Trust Services office to learn more about available resources.
A Legacy of Faithful Stewardship
At its heart, planned giving is about faithful stewardship and recognizing that everything ultimately belongs to God. Thoughtful planning can reflect trust in Him both now and for the future. For many, this discernment is deeply personal and prayerful.
Whether through financial resources, property, or other assets, our gifts become instruments He uses to bless others, strengthen families, sustain worship, educate young people, and advance His mission in ways we may never fully see. When entrusted to Him, even ordinary resources are multiplied for eternal purposes. As Scripture reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:21. When we plan thoughtfully and give faithfully, God transforms what we offer into blessings that reach far beyond ourselves and far into eternity.
Southern Union | February 2026
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