Dear friends in Christ,
I have come to believe that the true test of people’s generosity and faithfulness is not seen in the best of times, but often in the most challenging of times.
This past year has continued to challenge all of us around the world.
As I think about 2022, I think of the war raging in Ukraine, and areas of Europe under the worst drought in 500 years. I think of the people of Pakistan, recently ravaged by catastrophic flooding.
I think of all who are working long hours here in the United States to try to make enough to beat rising inflation and pay the bills.
I think of everyone battling to survive the COVID pandemic as we enter a fourth year dealing with this deadly virus.
Thanks to your gifts and generosity, the Foundation is ministering to people in every one of these circumstances. I am in prayer for each of these ministries. And I am so grateful we have the honor to work with you during these difficult times.
Despite all the parts of the world that are hurting, I am hopeful – and that’s because of you. What sustains each of us here at the Presbyterian Foundation are the many ways Presbyterians are working together to make the world a better place and create the kingdom of Christ here on Earth.
Presbyterians continue to work to improve their communities, take care of their families, and support ministries they love around the world. We cherish those gifts, each and every one. In 2022, we received $130,006,892 for mission and ministry in the PC(USA). It’s an astoundingly high number, representing gifts from 22,894 donors. It’s the second highest gift total in our history.
This year, the Foundation distributed $106,562,443 for mission and ministry. This is more than we have ever distributed in one year. Behind every dollar is someone who deeply cares about the PC(USA), and ministries that are beyond denominational lines.
In our visits with churches and ministries around the world, we’re listening to what is needed, what is helpful, and what’s simply out-of-date. We’re innovating here at the Foundation, creating new partnerships, and doing all we can to bring both the latest technology and passion for Christ’s work to our mission – and your congregation.
I hope the news you’ll find in our annual report buoys your spirits, as it has mine. Please reach out to us if we can help you and your congregation make plans for the future. Our Ministry Relations Officers are ready to walk with you as you create a new future.
And in all that you continue to do in serving Christ’s mission, thanks for your faithfulness.
Rev. Tom Taylor, J.D., Ph.D., President and CEO
Rev. Dr. Rob Hagan is the Ministry Relations Officer serving the Northwest. He works with pastors and church leaders to cultivate generosity and promote stewardship within their congregations. He also meets with donors to assist them in making gifts to support their church and other ministries.
“My passion in ministry is to serve churches and pastors in order for the church to flourish and thrive in their vision to serve Christ,” said Hagan. “I wish to listen to goals and aspirations which individuals and churches have for leaving a legacy to the next generation. I look forward to partnering with churches to accomplish the vision of expanding the Kingdom of God.”
Before joining the Foundation, Rob was serving as Pastor and Head of Staff at Kennewick First Presbyterian Church in Kennewick, Washington since 1990. Previously, he served in various roles at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Fresno, California, Glenkirk Presbyterian Church in Glendora, California and Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Raleigh Hills, Oregon.
Rev. Josh Kerr is the Ministry Relations Officer for the South Central region, encompassing Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. He came to work for the Presbyterian Foundation in February 2024 after serving as a pastor for 10 years in two churches in Oklahoma.
Josh grew up in Tulsa, OK, and attended Yale Avenue Presbyterian Church. During his childhood and young adulthood, Josh saw Yale Avenue transition from a larger congregation with lots of programming to a much smaller family-oriented church. These experiences gave him an appreciation for smaller church ministry and a zeal for church innovation and growth. He served as a summer camp counselor for Dwight Mission, where he developed his leadership skills and first heard the call to pastoral ministry.
“This call to serve as a ministry relations officer is a different type of service, but one I embrace because I believe so strongly in the witness of local churches,” Josh says. “It is a great joy to travel to congregations, mid-councils, ministries, and gatherings in the Presbyterian church to meet so many people who are so passionate about serving Christ and making the world a better place.”
Josh holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rogers State University, Claremore, OK, and a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Rev. Kyle Nolan is a Ministry Relations Officer serving the Upper Midwest region, which includes North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin. He works with congregations to create a culture of generosity, offers seminars and workshops, develops gifts and fundraising plans for ministries, and provides coaching to finance, stewardship and endowment committees. He previously served as Associate Ministry Relations Officer at the Foundation.
Kyle was ordained into his calling as a Ministry Relations Officer at the Foundation on November 1, 2020, and began his position on Nov. 2.
Prior to joining the Foundation in January 2020, Kyle served Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, first as Minister to Youth and Their Families and most recently as Minister for Faith Formation and Mission. While studying for his MDiv at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, Kyle also served at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and worked as a research intern at Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. He completed his B.A. in Professional Writing at Grand Valley State University.
Kyle lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife Amanda, their daughter Evangeline, and their Great Dane, Wolfhart.
Sherri Finke is the Ministry Relations Officer serving the Central Region. She works with congregations to create cultures of generosity, offers seminars and workshops, develops gifts and fundraising plans for ministries, and provides coaching to finance, stewardship and endowment committees. Sherri shares her call to the Foundation, “As I work to build relationships and work together, I will face all situations knowing our prayers will guide us to never fear the challenges we face.”
Sherri’s experience includes more than 25 years in sales and marketing. She brings to her work at the Foundation an ability to build strong relationships through providing exceptional service. Sherri volunteers and supports the Collinsville Food Pantry and Spirit of Sharing Soup Kitchen.
Sherri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Business from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. She is also a Chartered Life Underwriter and a member of Fellow Life Management Institute (FMLI) Associate Customer Service (ACS). Sherri lives in Collinsville, IL where she attends First Presbyterian Church and serves as an elder.
Stephen came to the Presbyterian Foundation in 2004 and leads the Ministry Relations efforts for the Presbyterian Foundation. His team of Ministry Relations Officers serves pastors and their congregations throughout the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) from regional offices across the country.
Stephen and his staff work to help congregations create a culture of generosity in the church, offering seminars and workshops, developing gifts and fundraising plans for ministries, and providing coaching to finance, stewardship, and endowment committees.
Prior to joining the Foundation, he spent 15 years at Western Michigan University where he served in many fund-raising capacities within the development office including the Annual Fund, athletic fund-raising, corporate and foundation relations and finally as a major gift officer. Stephen has three degrees from WMU – Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Master of Arts in Athletic Administration, and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. He is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portage, Michigan.
ELLIE JOHNS-KELLEY
855-251-8212
ellie.johns-kelley@presbyterianfoundation.org
BIO
Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley serves as the Ministry Relations Officer for the Allegheny and Chesapeake Region. She works with congregations to create a culture of generosity, offers seminars and workshops, develops gifts and fundraising plans for ministries, and provides coaching to finance, stewardship and endowment committees. “Building on relationships and resourcing churches to help them increase funding for their ministry are my top priorities,” said Ellie. “I want to help others realize the vast amount of resources available through the Foundation and work in collaboration with other agencies of the PC (USA).”
Ellie came to the Foundation in 2013 after serving for three and a half years as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Warren, Pennsylvania. Prior to that, she was Director of the Summer Youth Institute and Associate Director of Admissions at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
She is a member of the Presbytery of Lake Erie’s Administrative Committee and a Trustee. Previous service to the church includes: the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission and to the Synod of the Trinity as the Regional Representative for the Theological Education Fund, a member of the Campus Ministry Task Force and a member of the Synod’s Permanent Judicial Commission. While in Warren, Ellie served on the Forest and Warren Counties Children’s Roundtable. In addition, she was a Board member and treasurer for the Warren County Juvenile Probation Association.
Ellie received a BS in Biology at Muskingum College and a Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She resides in Carmichaels, PA with her husband, Eric and their daughters Ibby and Karoline.
Rev. Dr. Rose Niles is a Ministry Relations Officer serving the Northeast Region, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and the Pennsylvania Presbyteries of Philadelphia and Donegal. She works with congregations to create a culture of generosity, offers seminars and workshops, develops gifts and fundraising plans for ministries, and provides coaching to finance, stewardship and endowment committees.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Rose served as Development Officer at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She also served with the Committee of Theological Education for almost seven years as Associate for Theological Education and Seminary Relations. She served as pastor to congregations in the New York area and in Louisville. A life-long Presbyterian reared in the Bronx, Rose served as the Vice Moderator of the Synod of the Northeast at a young age. Later, as a young pastor, she served as the Moderator of the Synod. During her time at New York Theological Seminary she taught in multiple programs, supervised DMin projects, and taught in their master’s program in Sing-Sing maximum security prison.
A graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, Rose has degrees from Harvard University and New York Theological Seminary. Her daughter, son in law and fifteen month old granddaughter Selah live in Los Angeles, California
Rev. Sandra Moon, JD, serves as the Ministry Relations officer for the Cumberland Region (KY, TN, VA). Sandra is an experienced civil attorney specializing in estate planning, probate, and real estate. She brings a wealth of knowledge in law, fundraising, and ministry to her work at the Foundation. Prior to joining the organization Sandra was employed at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary holding various roles throughout her tenure, including Director of the Women’s Center, Director of Alumni and Church Relations, and most recent, Director of Admissions.
Sandra earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and religious studies from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.
Olanda Carr is the Senior Ministry Relations Officer serving the East Region. He works with congregations to create a culture of generosity, offers seminars and workshops, develops gifts and fundraising plans for ministries, and provides coaching to finance, stewardship and endowment committees. Olanda shares his call to the Foundation, “God calls us each day to do new and exciting things. I believe my service with the Foundation is such a call, and it provides me with an opportunity to further God’s kingdom and the mission of the PC (USA)”.
Olanda brings a wealth of community involvement that includes serving as Treasurer for the homeless services organization, Peter’s Place, Inc. and Vice President of the Kappa Foundation of Charlotte. He is also board member of the Catawba Economic Development Association. He has also served as a delegate to the 219th General Assembly and a member of the Committee of Theological Education (COTE). Olanda holds a BBA and MBA from Montreat College (North Carolina) and is an elder and assistant treasurer of First United Presbyterian Church. He resides in Charlotte with his wife, Monica.
Photo by Erin Dunigan
Since 2012, we’ve helped more than 1,100 churches figure out what God would have them do next through Project Regeneration. This work has taken on more importance, and urgency, since the pandemic.
We’ve walked with churches as they realized they had more buildings than they needed – or when they decided merging with another congregation would honor God’s call for their church. For others, the most faithful decision may have been too close, or to sell their property and start an endowment to support causes they love in their community and around the world. Without the strain of maintaining buildings on limited resources, these congregations and their members discovered new ways to move forward.
For the past decade, we’ve helped more than 1,100 churches and ministries discern what God was calling them to do next. We continue to work with congregations, ministries, camps and conference centers, and more, as each one seeks to faithfully steward assets entrusted to them.
At the Presbyterian Foundation, one of our goals is to help pastors and church leaders cultivate generous disciples. We provide a wide variety of proven techniques and tools to develop stewardship, endowments, and bequests. We also offer online giving technology to make gift giving easier and more accessible, investment management and support for congregations that receive gifts of stock, real estate, or other unusual gifts. We help churches plan legacy giving programs. Our experienced and dedicated team works with churches and ministries every day that are planning for the future, and it is our hope to help each one grow and thrive.
Photo by Craig Thompson
The Lilly Endowment awarded the Presbyterian Foundation a series of grants to develop robust programming and resources centered around church financial literacy and leadership for pastors. These grants have supported the development of a suite of programs to serve the PC(USA).
This suite of resources serves a total of 3,301 pastors and church leaders, with more anticipated in the years to come.
Stewardship Navigator, a website with templated resources for pastors and congregations to use to develop a year-round generosity program. This includes a planned giving module.
Church Financial Leadership Academy, a Netflix-style training platform for pastors to learn from experts on a variety of topics related to church finance and generosity.
Ministerial Excellence Funds, which provides grants to pastors to help pay for financial literacy and stewardship training programs and conferences
Financial Leadership Coaching, which provides individual financial coaching for pastors for one year.
Technology Grants, which provides grants to pastors serving small churches or congregations of color to help pay for technology needs. This program was new in 2022, and more grants will be awarded in 2023.
In each of these programs, we seek to partner with other PC(USA) organizations and denominations when appropriate.
Photo by Erin Dunigan
“Coaching was a phenomenal experience for me. My coach knew how to ask loving, non-judgmental questions that opened up conversations, possibilities and ideas. I feel more confident in my abilities to speak about financial leadership. It was a gift.”
Rev. Dr. Victoria Isaacs, Pastor,
Gateway Presbyterian Church,
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo by Erin Dunigan
Photo by Jon Erlien
Photo by Jon Erlien
Our experience in stewarding gifts from our fellow Presbyterians is unmatched. Endowments afford donors the ability to express their faith and establish enduring legacies that will be celebrated by future Presbyterians for generations to come. As of December 31, 2022, we held $968 million in 7,000 endowment funds that support churches, schools, ministries, seminaries – and so much more.
REPORT CATEGORIES
Presbyterian Mission Agency & Other General Assembly Entities
$538,267,861
Congregations
$174,303,554
Education, including Theological Education
$57,065,167
Presbyteries & Synods
$40,409,329
Health & Social Services Ministries
$142,803,895
Other Mission & Discipleship
$16,092,731
A $100,000 permanent endowment fund placed with the Presbyterian Foundation in 1980 would have paid out over $517,218 to mission and have a principal value of $336,913 at the end of 2022. The average annual investment return was 7.52%.
Photo by Gregg Brekke
We support mission and ministry through conscientious financial management and investments that are consistent with Presbyterian values. In keeping with God’s call for faithful stewardship, the Presbyterian Foundation and our subsidiary, New Covenant Trust Company, manage funds while positively impacting our environment and society through three pillars of socially responsible investments: screening, shareholder advocacy, and transformational investing.
Assets & Funds
Total NCTC Assets
Under Management
Stewarded by
the Foundation
New Gifts &
Investments
Total Assets in New
Covenant Funds
Front Row:
Claire Rhodes, Victor Aloyo, Wonjae Choi, Bridget-Anne Hampden, Jihyun Oh (Representative for J. Herbert Nelson, Ex-Officio, Stated Clerk)
Second Row:
Shannan Vance-Ocampo (Presbyterian Mission Agency liaison), JB Im, Susan Rose, British Hyrams
Third Row:
Steve Aeschbacher, Jason Ko, Kathy Trott, George Philips
Fourth Row:
Paul Roberts, Greg McCoy, Neal Presa, Eric Osborne
Back Row:
Paul Baldasare, Sam Muse, Diane Moffett (Ex-Officio, PMA Executive Director), Wes Scovanner
Not Pictured:
Jenny Saperstein, Kathy Lueckert (Ex-Officio, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation)
Photo by Gregg Brekke
Photo by Gregg Brekke
Connection is a core value of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Both individual Presbyterians and congregations gather together in mission to accomplish far more than they could separately. As a trusted partner in funding mission, the Presbyterian Foundation plays a unique role in helping these ministries accomplish the mission to which God has called them.
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Mission Agency
Office of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Historical Society
Board of Pensions
Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program
Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Presbyterian Women
National Ghost Ranch Foundation
Jarvie Commonweal Fund
Theological Education Fund
Horizons Stewardship
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Assistance Programs of the Board of Pensions
Bright Stars of Bethlehem
Cook Native American Ministries Foundation
Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt
Friends of Forman Christian College in Pakistan
Gambell Presbyterian Church
God’s Hidden Treasures
International Museum of the Reformation
Jinishian Memorial Program
Living Waters for the World
National Association of Korean Presbyterian Churches
Near East School of Theology
Wycliffe Bible Translators
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Jeffersonville, IN 47130
800-858-6127
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