The Moravian Ministries Foundation (MMFA) helps Moravian individuals, churches, and agencies grow and sustain the ministries that are central to their faith. We do this through investments, gift planning, and stewardship development – all with a constant and specific focus on Moravian beliefs and values.
Our History
Before 1997 the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in North America operated two independent planned giving programs. The Reverend Gene Glasser led the Northern Province’s effort and Dick Gillett led the Southern Province’s program.
In 1998 the Synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces authorized the formation of the Moravian Ministries Foundation, which replaced the two planned giving programs. The decision to create the Foundation was rooted in the beliefs that it would result in:
- A wiser use of both Provinces’ resources, and
- A more effective voice to speak to Moravians about planned giving and other services that would foster personal and institutional (churches and ministries) stewardship.
Since its founding, the Foundation has assisted Moravians with estate planning and identified between $40,000,000 and $45,000,000 in planned and outright gifts through our gift planning assistance program. The endowment management service, the Moravian Common Fund, has helped almost 100 Moravian churches and agencies invest over $145,000,000 in permanent and endowment funds as of December 31, 2016. Our capital campaign service has assisted 18 churches and agencies.
Administrative Staff
Chris Spaugh, President
Chris joined the Moravian Ministries Foundation on June 1, 2017. A lifelong resident of North Carolina, Chris spent 22 years in increasing positions of responsibility at Wells Fargo Bank NA, and its predecessor, Wachovia Bank. He is a passionate leader of relationship-driven philanthropy in the areas of charitable giving and financial solutions. Chris has vast experience with visionary leadership, staff management, nonprofit governance, financial management/oversight, client service, partnership-building and strategic planning.
When Chris is away from the office he enjoys spending time with his wife Kelli and their four children on their small, family farm. Chris also volunteers his time with his church and Boy Scouts of America in multiple areas.
Laura Watson, Director of Stewardship and Development Services
Laura joined the Foundation in April of 2012. A native of Winston-Salem and member of Home Moravian Church, she has worked in the Florida school system, at Salem College, and as Assistant Director of Laurel Ridge, the Southern Province’s camp and conference center.
When she’s not busy with stewardship and capital campaign consulting for the Foundation, Laura enjoys running and fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), as well as traveling with her husband, Mark. She has served on the Salem Academy and College Board of Trustees and the Salem Academy Alumnae Board and currently serves on the Triad JDRF Board of Directors.
Kara Yates, Director of Operations
Kara joined the Foundation in June of 2016. A graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Business, Kara spent 5 years in Donor Relations with University Advancement at Wake before joining the Moravian Ministries Foundation.
Kara oversees all aspects of our internal business and financial operations, as well as being the relationship manager for Common Fund investors. She enjoys getting to know Moravians and their stories and making sure their business and philanthropic needs are being met.
When not at the foundation, Kara enjoys cooking, vegetable gardening, and spending time with her husband, Matt, and their two children Hayden and Madelyn.
Vince Holbrook, Director of Communication and Marketing
Vince Holbrook began as Director of Communication and Marketing in November 2017. He’s a career communications and marketing professional who spent significant time with Gilbarco Veeder-Root, Texas Instruments, and Trone Advertising. A graduate of Morehead State University in Morehead, KY, Vince holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism as well as a Master’s degree in Applied Communication from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Vince is a member of Kernersville Moravian Church and also a regular at Come & Worship. He teaches part-time at Forsyth Technical Community College as an adjunct instructor for public speaking and interpersonal communication. He enjoys time with his wife and two college-aged sons.
Board of Trustees - 2017-2018
Trustees
Paul Armfield
Winston-Salem, NC
Church: Calvary
Charles “Sandy” Baldwin, Treasurer
Winston-Salem, NC
Church: Home
Ron Bell
Winston-Salem, NC
Church: Calvary
Rev. Elizabeth Miller
Bethlehem, PA
PEC President, Northern Province
Mélida Hodgson, Esq
New York, NY
Church: Faith
Craig Laughlin, Secretary
Dover, OH
Church: First
Keith Kapp
Raleigh, NC
Church: Raleigh
Bruce Shoger, Chair
Victoria, MN
Church: Lake Auburn
Gail Theard, Vice Chair
Mt. Airy, NC
Church: Grace
Cheryl Weber
Green Bay, WI
Church: West Side
Staff
Christopher W. Spaugh, President
Winston-Salem, NC
Investment Committee 2017
Cheryl Weber, Chair
MMFA Board
Paul Armfield
MMFA Board
John Elster
Winston-Salem, NC
Joe Harris
Huntersville, NC
Brenda Cahill
Controller – North Province, Moravian Church
Graham Kerslake
Calgary, Alberta
Jerry Mead
Bethlehem, PA
Sandy Baldwin
MMFA Board
Robyn Glance
Treasurer – Southern Province, Moravian Church