You can remember WEST in your will

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9: 7)

We are so grateful for the many friends who have personally supported the work of the College over the years. We depend on such giving, which is always a huge encouragement to all who work here. However, you may not have considered how you could continue to be a blessing to the College even when your time on earth has been completed.

After having first made proper provision for their family in their will, many believers feel there remains an opportunity to help those Christian causes that meant so much to them during their lives. Although many charities would not exist without funds from legacies, perhaps surprisingly, WEST receives only a small proportion of its income in this way. We feel sure that our loyal band of prayerful supporters will not mind us drawing this to their attention. Such bequests would enable us to continue the faithful preparation of men and women called by God to Christian service at home and abroad.

Wise and godly leaders are vital for healthy church growth. With its high view of Scripture and the priority of preaching and prayer, WEST provides the soundest possible training environment. We are proud of so many former students, sold out for the Gospel, who are serving the Lord throughout Wales, the UK and the rest of the world.
Legacies can help meet running costs, fund capital projects and staff posts, and contribute to a scholarship fund for needy students. Many friends are not aware that our income from student fees meets only just over half our total outgoings.

So how do you go about it?

You need to make or alter your will. This is a legal process and most people choose to use a solicitor or similar professional. Your will is the only legal document that ensures that your wishes are carried out after your death, and that those you care about are provided for in the way you want. Most people in Britain don’t have a will, and only a small fraction leave part of their estate to charities. If you don’t have a will, or if your will is out of date, it could cause unnecessary problems for your family at a difficult time. The cost of making a will is less than you think. Also, as WEST is a registered charity, gifts can be a means of reducing the tax liability to the principal beneficiaries of the will.

Your solicitor may advise you about Lasting Power of Attorney at the same time. This is a separate legal document in which you are able to give authority to another person to act on your behalf in respect of your property and finances if, for some reason (accident, illness or infirmity due to old age), you became unable to manage your affairs. This may all be seen as good Christian stewardship.

Steps to take:

1. Choose a solicitor
2. Value your estate
3. Decide on distribution:
   • Specific bequest, eg a particular item
   • Pecuniary bequest: a fixed amount of money
   • Residuary bequest: a percentage gift from the residual estate after specific and pecuniary bequests have been made and expenses paid
4. Choose your executors: An executor is a named person appointed in a will to deal with the administration of a deceased person’s estate. Make sure they understand their responsibilities – and know where your will is!
5. Action! Procrastination risks dying intestate with all the unfortunate consequences for your loved ones. Will-making is quite easy and quick. Once you have done your bit the solicitor will do the rest and prepare a document for your approval and signature before two witnesses. The solicitor can store the original while you keep a copy in a safe place. It is as well to review your will every few years. Amendments may be needed to reflect family circumstances, eg the birth of grandchildren or changes to the value of the estate. A legal codicil is the only safe way of making alterations.

Leaving a legacy to Wales Evangelical School of Theology

Here is an example of wording that could be used in a will:

A residuary bequest

“I give my residuary estate to Wales Evangelical School of Theology (Registered charity number 517324) at Bryntirion House, Bridgend, CF31 4DX for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Bursar or other authorised officer will be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s).”

A pecuniary bequest

“I give to Wales Evangelical School of Theology (Registered charity number 517324) at Bryntirion House, Bridgend, CF31 4DX the sum of £……… (free of taxes) for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Bursar or other authorised officer will be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s).”

Thank you for reading this item. As Christians, we are perhaps unnecessarily reluctant to speak of such things. And yet, it is surely right that we should thoughtfully dispose of what we cannot take with us in ways that bring most honour to God and his kingdom – especially when we consider the eternal glory that awaits all those whose hope is in Christ.