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ATLANTA – An Albanian craftsman working in Athens, Greece, is back on his financial feet thanks to a gift from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Mississippi.

Besnik was out of work and two months behind on his rent when the check from CBF of Mississippi came to Bob and Janice Newell, Fellowship field personnel working with Albanians in Greece. His plight – and a lot of prayer – led the Newells to use the $600 to help Besnik until he could get a new job.

Besnik has now found work, and has volunteered his services to complete the second floor of the Newells’ ministry center called PORTA, the Albania House in Athens.

“Most of the work at PORTA is being done by volunteers like Besnik, who, having finished an eight-hour shift at their manual labor jobs, work well into the evening doing the repairs at PORTA,” the Newells said. “We have also seen Besnik at the English-speaking, Assemblies of God church, and he has participated in some of the programs at PORTA, including English-language classes.”

The CBF Foundation is the caretaker and manager of CBF-Mississippi’s endowment fund, established four years ago.

“In addition to providing access to top shelf money managers, we have provided the CBF-Mississippi staff with periodic consultation on endowment promotion as well,” said Foundation president Don Durham.

It is paying off for people like Besnik.

“Long ago, I learned that no matter what the size, gifts which keep on giving are superior to one-time wonders,” said Bob, a native of Meridian, Miss.. “When money is wisely invested through the CBF Foundation and the periodic earnings are directed toward on-going needs, the giver, the gift and the effectiveness of the gift grow over time. Mississippi CBF has decided to stretch out its support by allowing us to utilize some of the earnings gained on its investments. Albanian immigrants in Athens will benefit for a long time to come from this savvy, kingdom-approach to ministry support. They and we are grateful.” 

Steve Street, coordinator of CBF of Mississippi, said that state organization’s endowment was established in 2005 to provide an on-going funding source for CBF mission causes. Quarterly earnings are split among CBF field personnel who have Mississippi roots. That includes the Newells, and two other couples who work in high-risk areas. Street said the endowment totals more than $70,000, and the goal is to reach $100,000 by year’s end.

Durham describes the CBF Foundation as “a type of community foundation for the CBF community.” The Foundation helps individuals, churches, state and regional organizations and partners manage funds and promotes new gifts to their endowments.

“By using CBF Foundation as a fund manager, CBF churches and partners help the entire movement,” Durham said. “In the long run, the larger the amount of funds under management in CBF Foundation, the lower the overall cost of managing everyone’s money.”

“For Albanian immigrants in Athens, very little in this world seems secure or stable,” Janice said. “By being able to provide this small amount of financial assistance, we offer a small amount of precious stability when bad times come to worthy families. Thank you Mississippi CBF for your generosity and CBF Foundation for your wise financial stewardship.”

To learn more about the services provided by the CBF Foundation, call (800) 352-8741.

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.