“God, if you’ll answer this one prayer – to be blessed with a child – then I will raise that child in the church to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.” Such was the prayer of Marilyn Martin, Phil Martin’s mother. Her prayer was obviously answered – three times, actually. God did God’s part, and she did her part. Marilyn and Gene, Phil’s dad, raised Phil – and later his brother Doug and sister Marita - in the church: Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday evenings. Services. Sunday School. Vacation Bible School. Choirs. Phil was definitely “churched” while growing up.

It's no surprise that Phil ended up raising his own family in the church and is still an active leader at Clay Center United Methodist Church. Committees, choirs, assisting with worship – when it comes to serving the church, Phil does his part and then some.

Phil’s parents not only taught him to share his time and talent with the church but also to support the church financially and generously. They understood what Jesus said about money: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).

The Martins understood your heart follows your money. If you want your heart to follow God, then your money has to go where God wants it to go.

Phil’s family has farmed in the Clay County area for several generations. Farming is a boom or bust industry, but Phil has managed to come out ahead most years and survive the ups and downs of the family business.

Having a heart for God and the church, Phil wants to do his part to support the church both during and after life.

Enter Mark Queen, a financial advisor, Certified Lay Servant, and Kansas Methodist Foundation trustee. Mark shared how Phil could leverage assets like depreciated farm equipment to both create a revenue stream and leave a legacy.

The tool – a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (commonly referred to as a “CRT”) – was created and initially funded with a combine. Phil can add other assets to the trust going forward.

At death, Phil’s CRT will support Clay Center UMC and the Jeanne Martin Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship fund Phil and the family established in memory of Phil’s wife, Jeanne, who did more than her part during life and served in many roles: daughter, wife, mother, teacher, and coach.

Phil is humble about his gift and his impact. “I’m not making a transformational gift. I’m just doing my part. We all need to do our part.” Indeed. Each of us need to do our part. What’s yours?