In 1774, the Warren Association voted to receive an annual collection for widows and orphans. The Charitable Society was incorporated in 1821 when Mrs. Sparhawk bequeathed $1,000. By 1883, the Society was supporting 31 widows and was overdrawn by $395.41.
In 1916, an annual communion offering was instituted by Baptist churches to support the Society in aiding the independence of clergy widows. Beginning in 1939 this communion offering was split 50/50 with the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board. In 1964, MMBB initiated the Retired Ministers and Missionaries annual offering, and the 50/50 split was discontinued.
In 1992, "widows" was changed to "spouses" and the charter was expanded to include spouses, ex-spouses, children and other dependents. Grants became available to Baptist clergy toward repayment of educational loans in 1996. This program was expanded in 2000 to include clergy who are in accredited post-Master of Divinity programs.
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