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Harvesting What You Have Planted
June 18, 2007 -- "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matt. 9:37). For retired farmers, Erik and Joyce Radke of Aurelia, Iowa, these words hit close to home.
For
more than 30 years the Radkes focused on harvesting the crops produced
on their farm near Aurelia. "Harvest season is my favorite time
of year," admits Erik. When the Radkes retired in 2000 son Mark
took over the farming operation. "I still enjoy getting out on
the combine for a few hours every day giving Mark a break," says
Erik.
Today the Radkes focus on another type of harvest — the Lord's harvest. Supporting those in the ministry and the mission field has become a high priority with them. When they de cided they wanted to continue supporting missions for years to come, they contacted their regional gift planner for the LCMS. He was able to help them write their own statement of faith, make plans for their children, and include financial gifts to their favorite ministries.
Erik now uses a Bible verse to summarize his faith and philosophy of giving: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops" (Prov. 3:9). "In estate planning we realize that all we have is the Lord's and not ours; it is all a gift from the Lord," states Erik.
Supporting Mission Work through Mission Central
It seemed only natural to include mission work in the Radkes' estate plan. "We want to support those 'farm boys' in the mission field," says Joyce. (They also included} a bequest in their revocable living trust that establishes a family mission fund. When the bequest is made to their family mission fund at the second death, their son Mark will choose the mission projects supported by the fund. The Radkes are pleased with their son's involvement in missions and grateful in knowing he will continue to assist in supporting the Lord's harvest after they're gone.
The Radkes have also established a scholarship fund with Iowa District West for college students studying for full-time church work. They decided to do this while they were alive so they could enjoy seeing the fruits of their labor now and are glad to know it will continue for many years to come.
As the combines roll across the gol den fields of corn we are reminded that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Erik and Joyce Radke hope their story will in some way inspire others to support the work of the Lord through Christian estate planning. King David wrote in Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it." Or as Erik says, "Everything is His anyway." Those are good words to live by.
-- Excerpted from LCMS Foundation Online Newsletter June Week 3
If you would like more information on planning your estate, contact Vicki Strong for referrals to congregational or district gift planners and other Christian advisors.