Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds

Record-breaking fund given to retired Florida pastors, widows

Supporting nearly 300 retired Florida Baptist pastors and their spouses or widows, this year’s record-breaking amount represents the largest gift in the history of the fund—$278,285.41.
  • October 27, 2025
  • Florida Baptist Convention
  • Florida, Latest News
Aaron Meraz (left), director of GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity, Rick Wheeler (center), president and chief executive officer of Florida Baptist Financial Services, and Hance Dilbeck (right), president and chief executive officer of Guidestone, are all smiles as Florida Baptist Financial Services provides a record-breaking financial gift to support retired pastors and their wives or widows in Florida.
(Photo courtesy of the Florida Baptist Convention)

Record-breaking fund given to retired Florida pastors, widows

This month, Rick Wheeler, president and chief executive officer of Florida Baptist Financial Services, signed the 2025 distribution of the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund to Mission:Dignity.

Supporting nearly 300 retired Florida Baptist pastors and their spouses or widows, this year’s record-breaking amount represents the largest gift in the history of the fund — $278,285.41.

‘Saints in need’

“On behalf of our board of directors, I am pleased to announce that this year’s gift from the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund represents the single largest gift we have been delighted to forward to these saints in need,” said Wheeler. “As a cooperating ministry of the Florida Baptist Convention, ‘Stewardship. Simplified.’ is constantly looking for ways to financially resource the many Great Commission causes of Florida Baptists.”

Full story.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jessica Pigg and originally published by the Florida Baptist Convention. 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Former sheriff killed in hit-and-run, remembered for legacy and faith
    Former sheriff killed in hit-and-run, remembered for legacy and faith
    March 25, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • As Iran war continues, annual Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem canceled
    As Iran war continues, annual Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem canceled
    March 25, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • Supreme Court sides with arrested evangelist; ruling called ‘win’ for religious liberty
    Supreme Court sides with arrested evangelist; ruling called ‘win’ for religious liberty
    March 25, 2026/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Former sheriff killed in hit-and-run, remembered for legacy and faith

“On Sunday morning, he sat in the foyer to make sure everyone was safe and okay,” pastor Jimmy Koonce recalled. “He was always a very quieting, comforting presence.”

As Iran war continues, annual Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem canceled

As the Iran war continues, the annual Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem has been canceled, church leaders have announced.

Supreme Court sides with arrested evangelist; ruling called ‘win’ for religious liberty

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in a unanimous decision in favor of Mississippi evangelist Gabriel Olivier, allowing Olivier’s First Amendment lawsuit to proceed.

Baptist Campus Ministries developing future Christian leaders

Abby Hostetler and Mark Wisler, student leaders in the Baptist Campus Ministry at Eastern Kentucky University, returned last week from their final Beach Reach in

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • The Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2026 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe

Hi reader.
We’re a nonprofit Christian news ministry. 
Our mission is to provide grace-filled, trustworthy journalism from a Christian worldview. We make our reporting freely available online because we believe people should have access to reliable information.

Reader support helps sustain this work, offset rising costs, and allow us to continue providing affordable resources to churches and ministries. If you value this work, would you consider supporting our mission today?

Support Our Ministry

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel