The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma

“If we do not learn as Christians to give, then we are never conformed to the image of Christ,” said bi-vocational pastor Anthony Williams of Grace Baptist Church, Durant. 

    Concerning time, assets or gifts, Williams teaches to his congregation this principle of giving and follows it personally with his wife Hollie. Williams also serves as chaplain at Families Feeding Families, an outreach ministry in the City of Durant run by volunteers, which feeds approximately 200 people every day. He leads Bible studies there on Tuesdays and conducts biblical counseling.

    “Our church members volunteer everyday at Families Feeding Families to help feed and cook,” he said. “My main purpose is to build relationships and pray with the people. We feed them spiritually and physically, and we’ve seen people saved and lives changed. It’s a great ministry.”

   Williams became involved in Christian work as a young man, serving as church janitor as well as a member on boards. He began teaching Sunday school at 18 and was ordained as a deacon in his early 20s. Thirteen years ago, he became a bi-vocational pastor.

   “Bi-vocational pastors have a great opportunity in ministry because they are out there right in the middle of people where they can minister to co-workers and customers,” Pastor Williams said.

    Williams was owner and manager of Morrison Drug and Durant Medical Supply for many years. He recently sold the pharmacy and with the funds established a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) with The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma.

     “I knew I wanted to give back to Baptist ministries, and I knew when I sold my business that a Donor Advised Fund was attractive to me. I wanted to have some control of where the money was being distributed and how much. If I saw special needs for the Lord, then the DAF would allow me to give funds to that need,” Pastor Williams said.  “My hope is that it will help reach people for Christ and make a difference in lives.”

     A DAF is a good fit for a donor who wants to make a gift to charity without creating a private foundation and who wants to pick a charity or charities and distribute the funds over time.

     When a donor creates a DAF, he receives a tax deduction for the full amount of the contribution and can remain involved by making recommendations as to investment policies and distributions, said Dan Allen, Foundation Senior Vice President, Donor Services.

     “As a result, the donor is able to fulfill his or her philanthropic goals in a flexible, tax-favored and cost-effective way,” Allen said.

    If you would like to know more about a DAF, call the Foundation at 888.480.6191.