Help Secure the Future of the Diocese of Toliara, Southern Madagascar
Bringing Change
In 2007, diocese staff began to befriend a young woman named Nolavy. They soon learned that Nolavy’s father was a shaman, a local priest in the African Traditional Religion. Unfazed, People Reaching People grew a Church next to the family’s tin hut.
The years of planting seeds has reaped a harvest. The shaman came to know Jesus two weeks before his death. His wife, baptized Christian as a child, has rededicated her life to Christ. In addition to Nolavy, several of the Shaman’s children and grandchildren are now sacristans and leaders in the church. Darkness hovered like a heavy fog but the true light of God shines forth. Nolavy was ordained the first woman priest in the Diocese in 2019.
Why an Endowment?
Endowment Fund as at launch
Having established the Diocese of Toliara, the McGregors are looking to create a sustainable future. It is apparent that even with sacrificial giving, the local churches will not be able to create the financial resources necessary to continue the existing level of ministry and growth.
With the future in mind, the McGregors, their friends, and supporters established an endowment fund and are aiming to raise at least $1,600,000 (£1,267,000) to support the continuation of this ministry. Originally, the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS) in the US and the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG) in the UK collected and managed the funds, for which the McGregors and Diocese are very grateful.
In 2020, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, in Boca Raton, offered to host the McGregor Toliara Endowment as an additional sub-account of its endowment funds, which are managed by the Episcopal Church Foundation, with financial management by State Street Global Advisors. This is the same organization managing the pension fund for the Episcopal Church’s clergy. This change results in significantly lower expenses in the donation and distribution of the Endowment funds as well as the cost of investment management. The leadership of the Diocese of Toliara is very pleased with this new arrangement which streamlines the process of giving, improves the investment of donated funds, and will generate more for the Diocese of Toliara.
The funds will be spent on continuing the work within this Diocese – funding clergy, evangelists and pastors, creating new Churches, developing economic initiatives and supporting education.
A Message from Todd and Patsy
Transformation of lives begins one step at a time, and this endowment represents a step toward a sustainable future in the Diocese in Toliara, even beyond our own ministry. We anticipate that this endowment will allow us to leave a legacy–together.
Leaving a legacy is more than raising money. It’s about giving people hope, securing their future, presenting the gospel, reaching people with true meaning in life. That’s what we do as People Reaching People. With your help, we have already built churches, educated hundreds of children, implemented income-generating projects, and most importantly led thousands to the loving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Having been faithful in these things, we are looking towards a sustainable long-term future in the diocese. More than ever, we believe in who we are and what we are doing together, for the Malagasy people. Thank you for considering putting real world faith into action and contributing to this fund. Thank you for joining hands and walking this path of life with the Malagasy people, and us, one-step at a time.
With love and thanksgiving to God for you and serving Christ together,
The McGregors
How to give
In the USA, donations can be made online through St Gregory’s, BY CLICKING HERE then proceeding through the following steps:
- Enter the amount you wish to give.
- Select one-time or recurring gift (in this latter case, you specify the frequency and start date).
- Select the McGregor Toliara Endowment, in the “Fund” dropdown, and click Next.
- Enter your cell phone to receive a text message to confirm security for your transaction.
- Enter your banking, debit, or credit card information.
- Confirm your donation by clicking the Give button at the bottom of the page.
You will receive an email confirmation of your donation, which will contain a link to download the app to make future donations even easier!
If you wish to give through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), are considering donating stock or have any other questions, please contact St Gregory’s Parish Administrator: Michael Koppenal by email mkoppenal@st-gregorys.com or phone +1 561-395 8285
Checks can be mailed: For the attention of Michael Koppenal, St Gregory’s Episcopal Church, P O Box 1503, Boca Raton FL 33429
Memo line: McGregor Toliara Endowment.
All donations to St Gregory’s are fully tax-deductible under IRC 501 ( C) 3 designation.
In the UK:
Make cheques payable to ‘USPG (McGregor Toliara Endowment)’
Send to: USPG, 5 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB
Any queries, please contact: Ben Kuevidjen, on 020 7921 2206 or email benk@uspg.org.uk