Building a lasting legacy - september 2023
By 4Tucson September 2023 by LaKisha Deon
Encouraging others to have a spirit of philanthropy in Tucson.
Earlier this year, our staff began praying for ways to fulfill needs within our philanthropy and social services domains. Early in this prayer journey, we were blessed by a generous donor who wanted to help 4Tucson with fundraising. After several conversations about the expectation of the gift, the donor and I agreed to use their gift to help meet the need to unite and mobilize individuals seeking to leave a legacy in our community. As a result, his monetary gift will affect change that is aligned with 4Tucson’s vision and mission. Our donor’s desire is to see a city aligned with God’s ways by pairing people who serve with people who have resources. His gift will pave the way for 4Tucson to support God’s Kingdom in Tucson, which will leave a lasting legacy that extends beyond the value of a dollar.
How can we connect people with a servant’s heart and a love for our city to a nonprofit who shares their same passions?
Over Food of course!!
We invite you to the Building a Lasting Legacy breakfast to connect your heart to give of your LIFE – labor, influence, finances, and expertise – to local ministries and missionaries serving in Tucson.
God is stirring something great in our city and 4Tucson has had the pleasure to witness His goodness firsthand by connecting organizations with a need to organizations with the supply. We have also witnessed the struggles they encounter when their basic needs are not met, due to a lack of resources or awareness. 4Tucson would like to bless our Legacy Breakfast guests with opportunities to hear of ways to give back outside of monetary gifts. You will hear from our esteemed speakers, Russ Crosson and Tim MacDonald.
Russ Crosson, a renowned author of several books including “Your Life… Well Spent” and “The Truth About Money Lies,” will share his insights on building a legacy that goes beyond financial contributions. Tim MacDonald, President of National Christian Foundation Southwest, brings over 20 years of experience in relationship building and will provide valuable guidance on utilizing your gifts of labor, influence, and expertise to make a lasting impact in our community.
Leaders from five different ministries serving our city in very distinctive ways will be at the breakfast. You will have an opportunity to speak to them personally after their presentations and hear their heart to serve our city. Meet our city’s transformative leaders:
Adam Kemper and CarePortal
CarePortal serves foster children and families in crisis. Since their introduction to Pima County in 2015 by leaders at 4Tucson, CarePortal has served 5,967 children and made an economic impact of over $2.5 million within our county. 42 response teams comprised of Christians deliver furniture and household goods to help foster placements and family reunifications go smoothly. CarePortal assists families at the most critical moment of their lives and partners with Pima County and Tucson Department of Child Safety in serving this unique community.
Ashley Hughes and Joy in the Mourning
Joy in the Mourning provides practical support, friendship and prayer, and commission others to serve in times of bereavement for those who have been widowed and experienced loss. Joy in the Mourning has also developed a small group ministry curriculum which has better equipped the church in providing practical ongoing support.
Jennifer Thompkins and Tucson Refugee Community
Tucson Refugee Ministries (TRM) educates, equips, and mobilizes the church to serve refugees in our community and beyond. TRM serves the refugee community by teaching English, entrepreneurship, and personal finances, and by providing transportation and assisting with finding employment opportunities. Most importantly, TRM demonstrates the love of Christ to our new neighbors.
Dr. Da’Mond Holt and Fresh Start
Fresh Start supports restorative justice initiatives and the re-entry of ex-offenders back into our community. Their goal is to assist in lowering the recidivism rate and supporting those reacclimating to society. Annually, Fresh Start hosts the Fresh Start Expo in Tucson Arizona to assist formerly incarcerated individuals at the Tucson Convention Center. This event is a partnership of business, government, church, and nonprofit resources coming together to equitably educate and empower with compassion, support, resources, and opportunities to restructure and rebuild their lives as they re-enter their community.
Joanie Hammond and Hands of Hope Tucson
Hands of Hope is a Christ-centered crisis pregnancy center that supports women and men facing unexpected pregnancies in Tucson since 1981.
Date: Thursday September 21, 2023
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 am (7 -7:30 am check-in/ reception)
Location: Truly Nolen – Leadership Center & Courtyard – 432 S. Williams Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 85711
Breakfast: FREE
(On behalf of 4Tucson and our partnering ministries we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our host Robert Straton and National Christian Foundation for sponsoring the Building a Lasting Legacy Breakfast. Your generous support and partnership is playing a pivotal role in making our city aligned with God’s ways. Thank You.)
Our Speakers
Russ Crosson is chief mission officer and senior partner of Ronald Blue Trust. Russ was hired in 1980 as the second employee of Ronald Blue Trust.
Russ has worked extensively in all areas of financial planning, specializing in comprehensive financial, estate, and philanthropic planning, as well as generational family wealth management and transfer. Russ serves as chief advocate for the heart and soul of the organization and works to ensure the mission of the company is carried out with integrity in every area of the organization with a focus on making sure the company’s mission is passed down and inculcated into future generations.
Prior to his current position, Russ served as president and CEO of Ronald Blue Trust (2002 – 2017). From 1999 – 2002, Russ served as executive director of the National Christian Foundation (NCF).
Russ is the author of several books including Your Life… Well Spent, The Truth About Money Lies, What Makes a Leader Great, and Your Money Made Simple. He has also been a featured speaker in many venues.
Russ graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in mathematics and a master’s degree in education.
Russ and Julie live in Roswell, Georgia and are active in teaching and mentoring young married couples in their church. They have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren. In his spare time, Russ enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, water skiing, and especially enjoys time with his grandchildren.
Tim MacDonald is currently serving as President of NCF Southwest, utilizing his experience as a highly accomplished senior leader with more than 20 years of experience in the relationship building business. His expertise includes the managing of sales and marketing of organizational projects, programs, and products. For the past four years, Tim served as a Vice-President Relationship Manager for the NCF Rocky Mountain office and NCF Southwest office.
Tim’s experience includes Chief Advancement Officer with David C. Cook, a non-profit ministry dedicated to discipleship resources for the global church. The seven years prior he spent in the real estate industry focused on property acquisition, lease negotiations, and sales to the investment community. Other experience includes years as an Executive Pastor at a large, multi-site church, and public relations and development for national personalities and ministries. He and his wife Lainie are the proud parents of three adult men of God.