An administrative mentor for Education for Ministry (EfM) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Gerald Wildes has recently made an estate commitment toward an endowment that supports the flagship program of the Beecken Center Program, EfM. “As a single man with no children, I wanted to leave a legacy for a program that made an important impact on my life,” says Wildes.
For the past nine years, Wildes has been the administrative mentor for St. Andrew’s EfM group, after completing EfM himself at the Church of the Epiphany in Leeds, Alabama. “The mentor at Leeds helped me to realize a calling to ministry as a mentor, and I am grateful for that opportunity.” Wildes says that EfM “changed and rearranged my theology,” and he credits the program for being a “safe place and a brave place” for St. Andrew’s Church. “EfM was one of the most transformative experiences of my life,” he says.
EfM has enjoyed renewed attention for fundraising in recent months. In early December, EfM launched an annual appeal, with a goal of making every dollar raised available to its partner dioceses so that they may direct the funds where they are needed most. With the help of the EfM family, anyone, regardless of income, will soon be able to take part in this transformative program. To make a gift to this campaign, click here to give now or contact Bess Turner at this link.
