Pat Lile was named the director of Planned Giving in 2010 to develop a program to encourage members to leave a bequest to First Church. Lile took the position after retiring in 2007 as president and CEO of the Arkansas Community Foundation, one of the state’s five largest grant-making foundations. Dr. Mattox and Lile work closely as a team with the Board of Trustees, which is the oversight and decision-making body for the endowed Foundation Faith Funds of the church. Along with the leaders of the annual stewardship campaign, they have created a program to promote a climate of generosity year-round in the church. In sowing these seeds, there is the promise of an ample harvest into the foreseeable future, as permanently endowed Faith Funds yield income for First Church and its ministries in perpetuity.

“in the bulb there is the flower, in the seed, an apple tree….unrevealed until its season something God alone can see.” Natalie Sleeth, Hymn of Promise, Hymn 7

Your gift, when combined with the gifts of others in an endowed fund, is an investment that will continue to grow and to create support for the future of First Church. No gift is too small. It is a testament to your faith. We stand ready to meet with you in person or by telephone, to answer your questions, or to study and pray with you or other family members or advisors, as you see fit. You may want to talk with your own professional advisors about your will and the potential federal estate tax benefit of a charitable bequest. Remember that the resources and staff of First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Foundation are available to help church members.  Contact the Director of Planned Giving, Pat Lile.