In the summer of 1916, my great-grandparents, Rev. Harry and Freda Berneking, boarded a riverboat in St. Louis with their belongings, an upright piano included, and their infant son—my grandfather. They traveled to the extremely rural community of Bear Springs, Tennessee, and began serving a small congregation on the Cumberland River. They lived in the only parsonage available, a rough log cabin with floor cracks so wide they hardly needed a dustpan. Their time in Bear Springs only lasted two years, but it shaped their lives and future generations. For more than a century, our family has retold their stories at reunions, and in 1961 a Christian radio station in Chicago adapted them into a three-part drama. Honestly, those stories of their time in Bear Springs also shaped my own sense of call as a pastor.
I have been thinking about their story as I begin a new chapter in ministry. For more than twelve years, I served as Director of Finance & Administration for the Missouri Annual Conference. I knew the work, the people, and often even the questions pastors and church leaders would ask before they spoke. Over time, I grew to know what I was doing and was entirely comfortable in the role.
Now I work with new colleagues, answer new questions, and learn unfamiliar areas of the law. I no longer always know exactly what I am doing. I’m a confident person, but the work of President can feel unsteady and risky. And yet, I could not be more excited. New adventures bring new opportunities, and as an ordained Elder, I have long embraced the notion that every new appointment gives us a chance to grow into who God calls us to be and to plant new seeds of ministry. I am most excited that this new role at the Missouri United Methodist Foundation still lets me serve the churches and people I committed to serve long ago.
My great-grandparents discovered something important: in a small and seemingly unimportant place, they planted seeds of faith that changed lives, including their own. Nothing could be more Scriptural than that. The seeds they planted in Bear Springs produced fruit far beyond what they imagined. In a similar way, the Foundation plants seeds for the future of ministry. Through permanent funds, custodial accounts for local churches, grants for new ministries, scholarships for students, and education and assistance for clergy, we help generosity grow and strengthen ministry for years to come. Our staff works to foster generous relationships, create deep impact, and steward investments for strong returns.
If you or someone you know would like to explore how the Foundation can support your ministry, we would be glad to help. Our staff is ready to answer questions and help launch new expressions of generosity in service to God’s work. Contact us today at foundation@mumf.org.