Estates are settled. Legacies live on. Which should be your focus? Your estate will make an impact, but your estate plan will ultimately establish your legacy. The assets you leave to others—your estate—will benefit them financially as a portion of your benevolence is received. However, the values by which you have lived, the hopes you have to influence the future, and the guidelines you put into place—your legacy—are far more significant than any financial transaction. The legacy you hope to leave takes preparation and planning; foresight and forethought; decision-making and discernment ..read more

This blog is the last in a series of blogs recognizing Ruthi Neely, Circle 555 Statewide Coordinator, as she enters retirement. Thank you to Lori Hall who wrote this blog about Ruthi as her teacher, mentor, and friend. Ruthi Neely is one of my heroes of the faith! I met her in the early stages of my marriage. My husband and I sat under the teaching of Ruthi and her husband, Bob, in our Sunday School class. They were a dynamic duo and complimented each other perfectly; Bob would walk us through the Scripture and Ruthi would teach us how to apply it in our lives. Not only did we learn so much fr ..read more

As Ruthi Neely, Circle 555 Statewide Coordinator, enters retirement, we are sharing several blog posts honoring her legacy. This blog is written by Kitty Cash, Ruthi’s sister-in-law and friend. I was twelve the summer my brother, Bob, and Ruthi worked together at Ridgecrest. From the moment I met Ruthi, I loved her. I am so thankful God placed her in our family. Left to right: Ruthi and Kitty Ruthi has been my sister for over 50 years, but she is also my friend. One thing I cherish about my relationship with Ruthi is that she always points me back to the truth of Jesus. From the chaos of juni ..read more

We continue to honor Ruthi Neely, Circle 555 Statewide Coordinator, as she enters retirement. Today, we recognize her as a teacher of God’s Word through The Elizabeth Project. Written by Jane Mathis The Lord has entrusted Ruthi Neely with various spiritual gifts, and she has been diligent and faithful to develop these gifts and use them for His Glory in ministry to our community. For many years through the Elizabeth Project, Ruthi has taught Bible studies to women. I am just one of the countless hundreds of women who have been blessed by Ruthi’s teaching. Pictured (left to right): Jane Mathis ..read more

For the past several years, not only have I had the honor of being part of the SCCF team professionally as a stewardship advisor, but I have also had the privilege to partner/benefit personally as a client as well. My wife and I established a charitable giving account, known as a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at the Foundation. A DAF is a charitable vehicle that allows a donor to make a tax-deductible gift each time they fund the account while enjoying the flexibility of making advised grants to charities out of the fund over time. Other practical advantages of a DAF include: Keeping charitable d ..read more

Written by Joe E. Hines, Jr., Managing Parter of Global View Investment Advisors Giving is Freedom As a child, at the age of eight, I accepted Christ. However, it was 32 years later when I totally surrendered my life to Him. Since that time God has continued to take me on a journey and open my eyes to what it truly means to be a follower of Christ. It is awesome and beautiful, but very challenging at times. A huge part of this journey is learning how to be a responsive steward of the resources that He's entrusted to me, including relationships, marriage, abilities, and finances. God has shown ..read more

Imagine life without your local bank. Where would you turn for assistance with monetary transactions? Even if you are tech-savvy and conduct your banking online, what would you do without the services provided by a checking or savings account or the options of a CD or money market? No debit. No credit. What would it be like to manage cash for every transaction?   One thing is certain…your personal money management would be far different and far more inefficient. Just as a bank manages your financial transactions, South Carolina Christian Foundation can make your charitable transactions mo ..read more

This Fall, South Carolina Christian Foundation (SCCF) will present grants totaling $225,000 to ministries across the state that are meeting the needs of the infirmed, the immigrant, and the incarcerated as well as those who are at risk, under-resourced, and overcoming addiction—all of whom need the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since 2004, through our Community Trust Initiative, SCCF has awarded annual ministry grants to evangelistic organizations reaching “the least of these” in our communities. In this, our nineteenth year, SCCF exceeded $3.5 million in Community Trust grants to Gospe ..read more

For many of us in our culture, hardship is an interruption to our comfort. For others in our culture and in many other cultures, hardship is the norm that comfort very rarely, if ever, interrupts.  For us as believers, hardship should not just be viewed as a simple interruption to our normal lives, but as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ, as we lean into Him, trusting that the story He wrote for us is good and that He is faithful.   “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith  ..read more

Written by Brenda Parks, Vice President of Children’s Ministries at Miracle Hill Ministries, Circle 555 Greenville member, and co-chair of the Prayer Committee Circle 555 gives financial gifts to ministries as God provides through members who cheerfully give. While these gifts are important, I submit that there is a greater gift—the gift of prayer. We are instructed in the Word of God to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Praying for the ministries gives them so very much more, enabling them to fulfill the call God has placed on their lives to serve an ..read more