Resource for the Source: A Mid-Year E91 Foundation Update
“Faith tells me no matter what lies ahead of me, God is already there.” –TobyMac, Christian Recording Artist
A year ago, we — and the rest of the world — were mired deep in the throes of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Today, at this writing, we are cautiously re-emerging from the COVID threat in hopes of returning to our pre-pandemic lifestyles.
Despite the pandemic, however, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation has continued to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40).
As Philippians 3:13-14 teaches us, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.”
On Sunday, June 6th, a memorial ceremony was conducted on the north lawn of E91 church to dedicate a recently planted tree in honor of Jackie Long’s life of service to the Lord. Jackie’s service at E91 and in the Kingdom was recognized through this ceremony; a presentation by the E91 Foundation; and an exhibit at the E91 Heritage Place room. Jackie, 86, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 26, 2019. Before retiring, Jackie had served as a long-time E91 staff member. She also had been a former E91 Foundation board member and “Friend of the Foundation.”
In her remarks during the tree-planting ceremony, Beth Austin, E91 Foundation co-president said:
“Sometimes there are people in your life whose relationship is so special to you that it is difficult to put into words. Jackie was that person to so many of us, one of a kind indeed. We are heartbroken without her, but her life of service to the Lord is an inspiration to us all. Blair (Austin) and I, as co-presidents of the E91 Foundation, along with many other board members who are here today, are pleased to honor Jackie’s memory with grants to two organizations that meant so much to her. Jackie served as a board member of the E91 Foundation over the years, and we know she would be thrilled with these grants given in her honor. The first $10,000 grant goes to Alexander Christian Foundation, which grants scholarships to Indiana residents pursuing full-time vocations in Christian ministry. Jackie was a huge proponent and encourager of students going into full-time Christian ministry. Here to accept the $10,000 check is David Woods with Alexander Christian Foundation. The second $10,000 check goes to Shepherd Community Center, and the E91 Foundation is granting $10,000 for ‘Jackie’s Corner,’ an area in the library dedicated to children’s books and storytelling. Here to accept the $10,000 check to Shepherd Community Center is Kolton Williford.”
Many thanks to those of you that generously have made donations to the E91 Foundation in Jackie’s memory.
During the first week of May, E91 Foundation received the following urgent request from Sara Shetterley, E91church’s outreach director:
“I recently received a critical-need request from our partners at Mid-India Christian Mission (MICM) in India. India is being devastated by a third wave of COVID-19, hospital supplies are depleted, and life-saving oxygen is desperately needed. India has seen over 400,000 new cases and 3,689 people die in the past 24 hours. And experts believe those numbers are an extremely low estimate due to the number of people not being tested and passing away at home, especially in the rural areas. They are the second-most affected country behind — but quickly catching up to — the United States. MICM is witnessing suffering through their ministries and want to do something to help those in need. They are partnering with a local Christian hospital in Damoh, India, to increase their supplies for oxygen cylinders and concentrators. Each cylinder costs $250 and concentrators cost $1,250 apiece. They have asked their partners to assist in raising $20,000 to help supply the needs of this hospital and the people they serve. E91 church will be sending $5,000. We are requesting a matching grant from E91 Foundation to help us support one of our longest-standing and incredible partners. Will you please consider partnering with us to save lives in India? We will be sending our gift for support on May 5th.”
The E91 Foundation board approved a $5,000 matching grant for MICM on May 4!
This past April, E91 Foundation and E91 church – in conjunction with Christian Financial Resources (CFR) – co-hosted a well-attended, in-person “Will and Trust Planning Seminar” at E91. “No matter your income or situation,” says CFR, “everyone needs an estate plan!” During the free seminar, participants learned how to create a legacy for their families, churches, and organizations important to them.
So far — in just the first six months of 2021 — E91 Foundation has awarded grants totaling $72,169. During 2020, the Foundation awarded grants totaling $121,656. And, since its founding in 1994, E91 Foundation has granted more than $1.6 million to evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!
We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries. If you’re interested in making a one-time donation to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or donation via PayPal. If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation.” Checks or cash may be sent via regular mail to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. You may also make a one-time donation or a legacy memorial gift via PayPal on Foundation’s donation page.
Featured in the Spring 2021 issue of Young Life’s Relationships magazine was a moving tribute — written by senior editor Jeff Chesemore — to the late Ted Johnson, former president of the Young Life Foundation, who died on Dec. 1, 2020. “When asked about the legacy he’d like to leave, Ted replied, ‘I want to give everything I can give. Not just my money, but I want to give myself. I want to encourage you any way I can. I want to invest in this baby. I want to spend myself down to my last whatever I can give. I want to write a big check and I want the last check to bounce!’”
As the late, great evangelist Billy Sunday has been quoted as saying: “Live so that when the final summons comes you will leave something more behind you than an epitaph on a tombstone or an obituary in a newspaper.”
And Psalm 39:4-5 exhorts us: “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.”
Indeed, “Excel in the grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)!
Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin
Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation
