What's your legacy?

Your Will is an opportunity to bless and provide for those you love and care about after you’ve gone. If you include a gift to Open Doors, however small, you’ll be blessing your wider family in Christ in their hour of greatest need.

You don’t have to be rich in monetary wealth to put Open Doors in your Will – simply rich in spirit.

When your suffering brothers and sisters face their darkest hour, you will be there with them in spirit and your support will be there in practice, to sustain and strengthen them as never before.

Andreas, Open Doors Overseas Director, says: “We are so grateful for the amazing support and prayers from our supporters, many of whom have given sacrificially for very many years.

“When I visit our teams in the field it is so encouraging to be able to say we can continue to support our long-term commitment amidst the turmoil, and that we would love to grow into more of such commitments. We are making a commitment and we would love to have your commitment as well.

“That is why legacies, which now account for about 10 per cent of income, are so vital. This enables more of our persecuted brothers and sisters to receive hope, encouragement and practical support. The Bibles, literature, discipleship and training Open Doors provides has a huge impact in strengthening the church. I encourage supporters to include a gift to Open Doors in their Will, and play their part in extending the Kingdom of God for the next generation.”

Please include Open Doors and your persecuted church family in your Will.

Find out how you can make a difference to our persecuted church family by requesting a copy of our booklet, What's your legacy? Order a copy by phoning 01993 777338 or emailing helenl@opendoorsuk.org.

How to include Open Doors in your Will

Your solicitor is the best person to advise you on how to reword your Will to include a gift to Open Doors. There are certain details you need to have handy when you see your legal adviser, such as our registered address and registered charity number. Having this information can save precious time and money. Many supporters have found it useful to take the following wording along with them:

• A pecuniary legacy - for a specific sum of money you wish to donate in your Will.
  I give to Open Doors with Brother Andrew (and its successors) of PO Box 6, Witney, OX29 6WG, registered charity number 1125684, the sum of:
  £ (figures)
  £ (words)
  absolutely for its general purposes, and I direct that the receipt(s) of the Director of Finance or other duly authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.
   
• A specific legacy - for a specific item such as a piece of jewellery, antique furniture, or even your house.
  I give to Open Doors with Brother Andrew (and its successors) of PO Box 6, Witney, OX29 6WG, registered charity number 1125684, my:
  (Description of property)
  absolutely for its general purposes, and I direct that the receipt(s) of the Director of Finance or other duly authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.
   
• A residuary legacy – for what remains of your estate once family and friends have been taken care of and all debts cleared.
  I give all (or a share) of the residue of my estate to Open Doors with Brother Andrew (and its successors) of PO Box 6, Witney, OX29 6WG, registered charity number 1125684, absolutely for its general purposes, and I direct that the receipt(s) of the Director of Finance or other duly authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.

Why including Open Doors in your Will matters

The gifts supporters leave to Open Doors in their Wills are vitally important. The promise of help long into the future frees us to make an important promise to those who will look to us for spiritual and practical support when their need is greatest. Your legacy gift means we can say to them, “We will be there. We will stand with you when the time comes. You won’t be alone.”

Currently, gifts from Wills account for just under 10 per cent of our income, which means there is a huge opportunity for us to do more for our suffering brothers and sisters now and far into the future, too. If everyone who wants to support the persecuted church, like you, could make this special provision for us in their Will, you could help us deliver more Bibles to those who are still denied access to God’s Word.

Imagine the impact of training and equipping more Sunday School teachers so that tomorrow’s children could learn that Jesus loves them. Too many children in the world are growing up not knowing this vital truth.

We could provide more training to the next generation of eager pastors and church leaders. We could support the families of those who will be killed or imprisoned for their faith with practical sustenance such as food, shelter and the livelihood skills they need to provide for their families.

We can do all these things now and for years to come with a simple promise from you today in your Will. It won’t cost you anything right away, but it will mean a lifetime of support for those who in the future will suffer for following Jesus.

Don't put it off!

Many people leave it too late to protect the people they love with an up-to-date Will. Even if you have made a Will, it is very important to review it regularly to ensure it still takes account of all your wishes. All kinds of things can affect what is in your Will, such as the birth of a grandchild or the death of a spouse, a change of address or the end of a career when you retire. Updating your Will is also an ideal opportunity to remember Open Doors and your extended family – the persecuted church. Why not make an appointment to see your solicitor today?

For further information about how you can make a legacy to Open Doors, please contact Helen Lofthouse on 01993 777338 or email helenl@opendoorsuk.org.