A Legacy of True Transformation

“…lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasures is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21)

“A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.” –D. Elton Trueblood

shade-treeThe mission of IWS has been sustained through the generosity of its donors who support our focus on the renewal of Christian worship across the globe. Since our establishment in 1999, IWS has been blessed with the ability to build not only a school, but also a generous community of loyal supporters. Due to this ongoing generosity we have been enabled to educate over 470 graduates who come from more than 60 denominations, almost every state in the US and 28 other nations. Each week IWS students and graduates impact over half a million people worldwide through their worship leading and teaching.

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According to the Boston College Center for Wealth and Philanthropy, by the year 2052, $41 trillion in wealth will be transferred from one generation to the next. In spite of this looming transfer of wealth, over 70% of Americans do not have a current will! Without a plan to pass on your personal assets, your estate is left at the mercy of the IRS. October is National Estate Planning Awareness month, and I encourage you to employ long-term estate planning to maximize your legacy to your loved ones and your charitable interests. I also strongly urge you to prayerfully and seriously consider IWS as one of your priority charitable interests. While your annual support is absolutely crucial to sustaining our mission, deferred support like estate planning can leave a Kingdom legacy, impacting multiple generations. This kind of gift is often the single most significant act of generosity toward God that most of us will ever perform. Let your hands be your executor instead of the government!

A bequest is a simple way to create a legacy which generously provides for the future of IWS and demonstrates love and support for the advancement of our mission. The inclusion of IWS in estate planning assures that your gift will have enduring influence and impact. If you include IWS as a bequest, your attorney will need to revise your will or add a codicil to be sure the bequest is left to IWS. A copy of the bequest provision or codicil should be sent to IWS for our files. Those making a bequest will become members of our Legacy Circle. Carol and I have added IWS to our wills as a primary charitable beneficiary. Why don’t you join us?

For more information on bequests or other planned giving options, please contact me at president@iws.edu, or call the IWS office. Your support of the ongoing mission of IWS is absolutely critical to the work of real, true spiritual transformation through worship.

Thank you for your partnership and commitment to the Lord’s work in and through IWS.

About the author

Dr. James R. Hart served as President of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies from 2007-2024. Dr. Hart was a member of the first IWS doctoral class, the Alpha class, and served as Dean of Students during his matriculation. After graduating from IWS, Dr. Webber appointed him as the Dean of Administration, and then Provost in 2006. In June of 2007, he was inaugurated as the second president of IWS. Dr. Hart holds a B.M. in Sacred Music from Oral Roberts University, an M.M. in Trumpet Performance from the University of Tulsa, and a D.W.S. from the Institute for Worship Studies. He was critical to the formation of IWS in Florida and has held administrative responsibilities since its inception in 1999. He is a professional trumpeter, choral director, and worship leader, and a published composer/arranger, songwriter, and author. He has been involved in worship leadership in various contexts around the globe for over 40 years and has taught in the areas of worship, theology, and music in various conferences, colleges, and seminaries. Dr. Hart and his wife, Carol, have three daughters and three grandchildren.

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