Updated Estate Plans Mean Greater Impact For Bible Translation

Stuart and Evelyn Tanner share a passion for serving others, a heart for Bible translation, and a desire to be good stewards of their resources. They are retired and live in Kissimmee, Florida. Recently they decided to develop an estate plan through the Wycliffe Foundation.

Stuart, a former pastor and professor, and Evelyn, a former nurse specializing in cancer research and detection, have always had a passion for foreign missions, and have traveled extensively. They even served in Australia for two years establishing a pastoral college.

They were exposed to Wycliffe's ministry over the years through various colleagues, friends, and an event at Wycliffe's headquarters in Orlando. Recently they attended a church in Kissimmee with George Cowan and his daughter, Ruth, who works in Prayer Ministries at Wycliffe. The four developed a friendship.

Stuart and Evelyn created an estate plan several years prior, but it had become outdated. When they decided it was time to get things back in order, they knew they wanted Wycliffe to be included.

"I think more than anything else, it [the desire to give to Wycliffe] was God moving our hearts from within," Stuart said. "It certainly did not result from someone approaching us... but rather God working and bringing us into relationships with people like the Cowans, and with others along the way."

They approached Ruth about it, and she connected them with the Wycliffe Foundation. Stuart said he and Evelyn felt an immediate bond with their Foundation representative, who connected them with a Christian attorney and even accompanied them to meet him for the first time.

Upon meeting their attorney, the Tanners said they believed the Lord brought them together. "We worked with this attorney... and I recall the day we made arrangements to go out and sign the [estate planning] document," Stuart said. "We had a prayer together right there around the desk, giving thanks that this day had come."

The Tanners said it's a peaceful feeling knowing that the plans for their estate are in order and they're able to support Bible translation.

"God has given us wonderful health, but you never know," Stuart said. "We live with the awareness that something could happen, and we'd hate to leave our estate in the condition it was in. So once everything was signed, it was a blessed relief."

We now share a close friendship with Stuart and Evelyn, and they are deeply appreciative of Wycliffe Foundation's assistance in finalizing their estate plan. In fact, they recently initiated a charitable gift annuity which can provide an immediate tax deduction along with lifetime income for both their lives.

If you would like to learn more about advancing Bible translation through a charitable gift annuity or another gift-planning option, please contact the Wycliffe Foundation at 877-493-3600 or email [email protected].

The names and images shown here have been changed to respect donor privacy.