Robert Leech,
President of the Foundation


Timothy Clark,
Chairperson, Board of Trustees

Presbyterian Foundation

When the youth ministry members at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, heard about the Presbyterian Foundation’s Youth Mission Initiative LIVE (ymiLIVE) video challenge, they went to work. Their task was to produce a video that shared their interpretation of Micah 6:8, which is also the theme of the 218th General Assembly (2008).

“The video project has been amazing,” said Candice Minks, one of the advisors for the Heritage DUCS (Disciples Under Construction). “Our video includes ‘Live on the Street,’ featuring a roaming reporter who interviews people about their opinions on the Micah passage. Meanwhile, some bad things are happening without the reporter’s knowledge.”

“You will have to watch the video to see how it all turns out.”

Hundreds of youth groups across the PC(USA) are taking part in the video challenge, the inaugural project of ymiLIVE, a Web-based social networking site launched by the Presbyterian Foundation Group. The top three winners will be selected by youth advisory delegates to the 218th General Assembly (2008). Each will receive a $25,000 permanent endowment fund to continue their congregation’s youth ministry efforts in support of mission. The videos will be posted on the ymiLIVE site.

Foundation Highlights

Presbyterian Border MInistry is profiled in the database.

As a way to help Presbyterians express their faith and gratitude through generosity, the Foundation has established Mission & Ministry Profiles, a searchable database of Presbyterian and Presbyterian-related organizations. The tool helps give a voice to mission and ministry initiatives among donors interested in providing financial support. Presbyterian Border Ministry is an example of a ministry that has included a profile in the Mission and Ministy database.

The Foundation has developed Youth Mission Initiative (ymi), an online community among Presbyterian youth groups to share their unique perspectives on mission and ministry as part of a video challenge. The theme of the video challenge centers on Micah 6:8. The videos will be posted on the Web site so that they are available to young Presbyterians, their parents and all who share a commitment to the active support of mission.

"Magic of Christmas"

In December, the Presbyterian Foundation Group welcomed more than 1,000 members of the Presbyterian community in Charlotte, N.C., to a private performance of the popular holiday musical, Magic of Christmas, performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. All proceeds from ticket sales (approximately $10,000) were donated back to participating churches in the Charlotte area for their mission or ministry programs.

Price Gwynn and Mark Yandle discuss the stewardship intiative.

A stewardship initiative in 2007 was successfully undertaken by Steele Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. The initiative, led by elder Marc Yandle and former General Assembly Moderator Price Gwynn, challenged members to openly discuss the subjects of planned giving and charitable bequests to the church as a meaningful way to witness, bear testimony and continue to provide valuable resources to the church for generations to come. The initiative is aligned with the Foundation’s Wills Emphasis program and provides motivation for other churches to consider this approach to increase support for their church.

Through the Presbyterian Foundation, New Covenant Mutual Funds and New Covenant Trust Company, the Presbyterian Foundation Group offers a continuum of products and services to individuals and institutions. The gift vehicles, investment management services, socially responsible mutual funds and other services and products reflect the principles of faithful stewardship shared with all Presbyterians. The Foundation Group is committed to working with donors and clients according to their needs and circumstances in an effort to help build, grow, preserve and provide financial resources in ways that maximize impact on their chosen mission or ministry.

Presbyterian camps and conference ministries receive funding support.

The Mark D. Hostetter and Alexander N. Habib Foundation established a $1 million permanent endowment fund to provide funding support for the camp and conference ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Donald A. Hostetter Endowment Fund, a permanent endowment fund held by the Foundation, will serve as a lasting legacy befitting Mark’s father, the Rev. Donald Hostetter, and his lifelong dedication to the ministry of Presbyterian camps and conference centers. In 2008, Presbyterians will mark 100 years of camp and conference ministry.

The Foundation began planning in 2007 for a meaningful way to commemorate John Calvin’s 500th birthday, which will take place in 2009. Included in the plans to honor this great cornerstone of Presbyterian heritage is a trip to the International Museum of the Reformation and other points of interest in Geneva, Switzerland, during the fall of 2008. The trip will provide travelers the opportunity to encounter the collective history and artifacts of Calvin in a city of great significance to the birth of the Reformed tradition.