VERSACARE FOUNDATION PROVIDES UNIQUE FOUNDATION

Versacare Foundation is an independent foundation which has been funding Seventh-day Adventist ministries and a select few humanitarian efforts with grants since 1990. A self-funded lay organization, the Versacare Foundation board is comprised of both lay Adventists and present and former Adventist church employees, all committed to responsible philanthropy. Versacare’s mission statement explains its purpose to be “inspired by the example of Jesus and our Seventh-day Adventist heritage, [we] fund innovate programs and ministries that create loving and just communities.” This mission statement makes clear the alignment between Versacare and TEAM, resulting in years of meaningful philanthropic investments.

Since 2015, Versacare Foundation has been privileged to grant TEAM over $350,000. In addition, the relationship has merited several special projects, including support of the CALLED video found on the TEAM website homepage, and a current book project intended to capture the rich legacy of TEAM through the years.

The Versacare Foundation receives hundreds of applications each grant cycle. Staff and Board members have been given the duty to steward foundation assets in meaningful ways that uphold organization mission and values. Thus, applications are taken through a rigorous process of vetting and evaluation prior to funding decisions. At the core of project vetting, Versacare asks a few key questions.

One, is the need important? TEAM states its purpose is to provide information to women who feel called to ministry. TEAM seeks to bless these women with financial support. And TEAM draws attention to the need for church support for women as well as men to be eligible for ordination. Yes, Versacare believes this need IS important.

Two, does the project focus on areas that are neglected? Evidence of success in a neglected area is supported that during the years of partnership, four unions have voted to ordain women: Columbia Union, Mid-America Union, Pacific Union and German Union. Further, Hispanic women have been ordained, several women have been appointed as Union Executive Secretaries, women serve as pastors in many countries, and a woman theologian from Togo who is completing her coursework for the ThD, among many other accomplishments.

Three, will the project be successful? Versacare is convicted of the success of TEAM by noting scholarship support of 665 women at 42 colleges and universities within the Seventh-day Adventist worldwide church. Versacare joins TEAM in celebrating the women represented by these numbers who are now in positions as Bible teachers, chaplains, pastors, and lead pastors.

And four, is this the right organization to accomplish stated goals? The TEAM board is made up of a group of passionate women committed to the Seventh-day Adventist church who have campaigned passionately for women in church leadership roles for decades and despite obstacles. Tom Macomber, Versacare President since 2017 and board member

since 2012 said of TEAM, “It is with partners like TEAM that we are able to confidently support needs within the Adventist Church, like women in ministry, that we otherwise would have minimal success with meeting.”