Curtis D. Sharp
Executive Officer for Denominational and Public Relations
214-720-2127
Curt.Sharp@GuideStone.orgGuideStone P&C Program gaining momentum
April 9, 2009
DALLAS — The GuideStone Property and Casualty Program, launched November 2008 and now available in 33 states, is gaining momentum as a risk management solution designed specifically for Southern Baptist churches and ministries. The program is offered through GuideStone Agency Services, a controlled affiliate of GuideStone Financial Resources.
First Baptist Church Duncanville, Texas, was the first church to participate in the program. Rupert Robbins, associate pastor, explained that it was GuideStone Financial Resources’ commitment to churches that made him willing to consider GuideStone Agency Services’ P&C Program. He said he wasn’t pleased with the service he was getting from his previous agency, so when he received the call from GuideStone, he was willing to explore the possibility of a change. Pastor Keith Brister readily agreed.
“Because of their years of faithful, consistent service, pastors trust the GuideStone name. So when Rupert said we were going with GuideStone, I had total confidence,” said Brister.
Robbins reports he is pleased with his decision. “GuideStone offers more than just a product. They’re ministry minded, and they have industry professionals who know what churches need and who understand the product. So the product fits the church far better than a product you find off the shelf. GuideStone offers a bundled package that more accurately describes where the risks and needs are in a church. It’s not one size fits all.
“It’s obvious they have insight into what a church needs. You aren’t paying for things you don’t need, and you’re getting coverage where you need it. GuideStone knows where we’re coming from, so their product is more customized for our environment.”
Robbins admitted that the church saved money with GuideStone, but he quickly asserted that money wasn’t the reason he made the change. “We chose it because it was a better fit, and we trust GuideStone to provide us the best possible product. The cost savings was just a blessing.”
The Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention also elected to participate in the program in February, offering their vote of confidence to the new GuideStone affiliate.
“My loyalty to GuideStone as an SBC entity made me interested in considering a switch, and I feel very strongly that we made the right decision,” said Donald Magee, Executive Committee associate vice president for finance. “I wanted a P&C provider that would have the best interests of the SBC at heart and saved a few dollars while I was at it.”
Magee, who is responsible for maintaining the insurance portfolio for the Southern Baptist Convention and its entities, said he was impressed with the ease of the transition.
“I could not have been more pleased with the entire process of conversion to GuideStone. The agent I worked with kept the process as simple as possible. He filled out a lot of the paperwork for me based on the information I gave him from my existing policies, so all I had to do was review and read and sign it. That was an immense help.”
“We are excited about the benefits we can offer churches through the GuideStone Property and Casualty Program,” said Doug Day, executive officer for GuideStone Financial Resources who gives leadership to GuideStone Agency Services. “For more than 90 years, GuideStone has served the financial needs of ministers and employees of Southern Baptist organizations. Now, through GuideStone Agency Services, we can more directly help the churches and ministries that employ our participants.
“We realize that churches have unique considerations when it comes to property and casualty insurance. They face risks that are different from secular organizations. So we designed a program as unique as their needs. Ultimately, we hope to give churches the coverages and resources they need to protect their ministries.”
Magee said the Executive Committee’s decision to go with GuideStone wasn’t based on dissatisfaction with their previous provider. “We were very pleased with our previous coverage. But GuideStone is an even better fit for us. We feel that their interests and our interests are the same, as opposed to a private insurance company who has their own profitability as their goal. With GuideStone, we felt we had an ally that was on the same side as us, fighting for the same goals.”
Clark Logan, Executive Committee vice president for business and finance, who approved Magee’s recommendation, agreed. “Like most other organizations, we’re trying to make the best decisions for our needs. GuideStone gave us a very competitive proposal, and we were excited to keep the business in the family, so to speak. We have no doubts that GuideStone will take care of us. It was a competitive bid, and we like doing business with a Southern Baptist entity.”
The Executive Committee’s policy provides property and casualty coverage for the three Southern Baptist entities housed in Nashville, Tennessee — the Executive Committee, the Southern Baptist Foundation and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission — as well as the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.
GuideStone Property and Casualty Program covers churches in eight states, is licensed to write coverage in 33 states and has applied to write coverage in seven additional states. To learn more about the program, call 1-877-455-GSPC (1-877-455-4772) or visit the Web site.
Word Version: GuideStone P&C Program gaining momentum among Southern Baptists