Joe and Frances Jones say they always knew of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, but they became acutely aware of its importance and novel distinction during Baptist discussions in the 1980s. The Huntsville, Ala., family is a firm believer in the BJC’s founding principles. “Separation of church and state is an indispensible stone of the unique American foundation,” they said. “No organization that we know of does a better job of teaching and preaching and practicing that.”

Like many of the BJC’s supporters, Joe and Frances Jones are loyal, annual donors who want to make sure the BJC’s work continues into the future. The Jones family decided to take their commitment to the next level by including the BJC in their estate planning, ensuring religious liberty continues to be protected for generations to come. “[W]e in this life are not eternal,” they said, “but our devotion to and support of this God-given Jeffersonian principle is, and we would like to help advance that cause forever.”

A planned gift to the BJC is the best way to strengthen our mission for the future, and it is a powerful way for our committed friends to continue to have a place in our work for many generations. Ensure that our history will always have a future by remembering the BJC in your will.

There are several options for making a lasting commitment to the BJC. Please consult with your lawyer or financial adviser if you wish to make a planned gift to the BJC. Contact Taryn Deaton, director of development, at [email protected] or 202-544-4226 for more information.

This is the final article in the the July/August 2013 Report from the Capital. Click here to return to the cover story.