Endorsements on our one-day, Bridging the Gap Training Workshop

The following are just a few of the comments participants have offered over the years as their reaction to our Bridging the Gap Training Workshop:

Please accept this recommendation concerning the ministry of Jay Link and Stewardship Ministries.

I was blessed last year to attend Jay’s Bridging the Gap training workshop in Indianapolis. I found the information and the inspiration helpful for my own ministry. Amazingly, many affluent families are the least served in the congregation. Jay helped me see the need to reach out to affluent families and also suggested practical ways for doing so.

I found the conference meaningful, and I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to sit under his teaching.

For years, I have been concerned about the lack of stewardship of affluent families. Not in the sense that they do not give. Our more affluent families are generous with their time and money and are very supportive of my ministry. What concerned me was their lack of plans for how their estate would be used. I have longed for them to see their resources as a gift from God to be used for the Kingdom of God.

Jay Link helped me to minister to these families. I believe that he can help you in the same way. May God bless you as you help your families use their resources for God’s Kingdom.

Waylon Bailey, Th. D., Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church, Covington, LA

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“Thanks for the very informative and enlightening presentation. As an Executive Pastor, I am often at a loss as to how to best minister to members of our church, and others our ministry touches, to whom God has given much in terms of material wealth. Issues about how to invite them to give, without their feeling as though I am just another in a long line of ‘charities’ asking for a donation; or, how to help them be great stewards of the things they have, while avoiding the perception that there is an ulterior motive attached to the help being offered; or, how to help free them from the isolation that wealth often creates, are all matters of concern for many pastors. I am glad to tell you that “Bridging the Gap” answered all of these questions and more.

Your candid explanation of the mindset and the life experience of the wealthy was both eye-opening and heart-breaking, moving me to want to be intentional about ministering to this group of people who are often overlooked in our churches because we wrongly assume they have no needs that we can meet. The truth is that they are like all of us;  very much in need of God and his word, and desirous to be good and faithful stewards of their lives and resources.

Your explanation of how to assist the wealthy in thinking rightly as they prioritize their giving decisions was exceptionally helpful. Giving should be out of joy, not guilt. All of us want to plan to have enough for ourselves, and to give something to our loved ones. But, too often these heart-felt needs are pitted against giving to God’s Kingdom work; thereby ensues the battle between guilt and joy. Bridging the Gap revealed to me that these potentially ‘competing’ interests can be resolved in ways that can accomplish both, with joy and a peaceful sense of good and faithful stewardship of that which God has entrusted. Your demonstrations of how assets, that would normally be lost to taxation, can be redirected to Kingdom giving, was a revelation and opened my eyes to new ways we can help our people do all that is in the heart to do. What a help to the church that will be in the coming years!

Thank you for an informative and enabling meeting.”

Rev. John Blount
First Baptist Church of Jacksonville

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“Excellent high impact development training content that fully integrates the biblical basis and wisdom of stewardship, the family dynamics in planning and the technical how-to with amazing case studies of before and after results for the Kingdom and the family.”

Royce Bervig,
Focus on the Family

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Stewardship Ministries’ “Bridging the Gap Workshop,” is an excellent event for any church or parachurch leader who cares about understanding the donors and financial resources that are available for ministry.

As a veteran of two building programs, three capital campaigns, and twenty plus years of ministry, I gleaned new insights and perspectives that I had never learned previously in my ministry. Jay Link’s Workshop was worth much more than the expenditure of time and money required.

 I whole heartedly recommend this workshop to ministers and leaders to help them develop the spiritual gift of giving, especially in their most affluent donors.

Jeff Faull, 
Senior Minister The Church at Mt Gilead

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“Best educational/training seminar that I have ever attended!”

RC Mills,
First Baptist Church of Jacksonville

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“We had our development team go through Jay Link’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ training and it was great!  It opened the eyes of our team to the needs and possibilities among our high net worth clients.  Since development is a ‘people’ business, Jay gave us tremendous insight into the challenges facing high net worth believers, and the tools and techniques available to help them be the best stewards possible of the resources God has entrusted to them.  I would enthusiastically recommend this training for anyone who is interested in working with and serving the needs of their wealthy donors or clients.”

Tom Conway,
Haggai Institute

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“This is the best major donor development training workshop of this kind I have attended in 8 years of financial planning and 11 years of major donor ministry.”

Paul Tolleson,
International Bible Society

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“The Bridging the Gap Training Workshop was the single most valuable day I have spent in 18 years of my charitable giving experience.”

Tom Manning,
Institute for Creation Research

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“An excellent reality check for the real issues impacting Christians of wealth facing estate planning.”

Steve Wilson,
Compassion International

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“…should be required for all non-profit boards and staff.”

Carey McClure,
Rocky Mountain Family Counsel

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“Your approach to planning for wealthy Christians can be life-transforming and is the most dynamic ‘well kept secret’ being utilized in our society for the cause of Christ.”

John Pence, JD,
Answers in Genesis

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“Taxes versus ministry – not a hard choice. When the money goes to the Lord’s kingdom eternity will be effected. May the Lord bless your ministry abundantly.”

John Rouster,
Every Child Ministries

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“…encouraged us in our development thoughts and gave us much more confidence in approaching our high end donors.”

Sharm & Kathy Schuerman,
Athletes in Action

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Other words used to describe attendees experience were “astounding, impressive, excellent, enlightening, informative, encouraging and blessed.”