Southbury, Connecticut—October 24, 2024 The Tri-Union Planned Giving & Trust Services (PGTS) Conference, held from October 21–24, 2024, in Southbury, Connecticut, brought together leaders from the Lake Union Conference, Columbia Union Conference, and Atlantic Union Conference. With more than 40 attendees, the event provided an engaging platform for education, collaboration, and inspiration to advance the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church through planned giving.
Organized by Lisa Burrow, Cynthia Huskins, and Richard Moore, the conference featured expert speakers and covered a wide range of critical topics. Over 16.5 CEUs were offered to equip leaders with actionable tools and insights for their ministries.
Speakers and Topics
The conference included an impressive lineup of presenters who shared their expertise on vital aspects of PGTS work:
- Dr. L. Stirrup (Faith SDA Church, Hartford, CT): Led worship, focusing on spiritual renewal.
- Troy Levy: Cultural Approaches to Stewardship & Financial Literacy – Exploring how cultural nuances impact stewardship and financial education.
- Jennifer Woods: Innovative Best Practices & Legal Updates – Covering attorney opinion letters, current legal trends, and best practices.
- David Hohler: Financial Management of Trust Accounts – Practical strategies for managing and growing trust assets.
- Ted A. Huskins: Stewardship Matters – Highlighting the spiritual and practical importance of stewardship.
- Abraham Jules: Led worship, offering inspirational reflections.
- Kevin Quinn: Case Law Review – Analyzing the Charlie & Rad Case and providing best practices for wills, estates, and trusts, including sermon outlines and tax implications.
- Scot Coppock: Donor Development Strategies – Cultivating meaningful donor relationships to foster long-term support.
- Tony Reyes: Innovating for Mission Impact – Connecting generosity to God’s mission through innovative strategies.
- Anita James: Bookends – Understanding the Trust Review – A comprehensive examination of trust review processes to ensure compliance and donor satisfaction.
Empowering Leaders Through Practical Training
The sessions addressed key areas such as financial management, legal compliance, donor development, and stewardship. Participants praised the conference for its relevance and impact:
“This conference equipped us with tools and strategies to serve donors more effectively and deepen their connection to the mission.”
“Planned giving is about more than financial strategies—it’s about empowering donors to align their generosity with God’s mission and leave a legacy of faith.”
“Understanding cultural approaches to stewardship allows us to build trust and engage with diverse communities more effectively.”
The Tri-Union PGTS Conference underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and adaptability in advancing the church’s mission. Organizers expressed their gratitude for the active participation and look forward to future initiatives to empower church leaders in Planned Giving & Trust Services.