Sunday School Fellowship
PASTORS’ EMERGENCY FUND
InFaith: Northwest Oregon’s partners at Sunday School Fellowship are a group of churches helping churches. We have a long history of financially assisting SSF member congregations and their leaders through the ups and downs of ministry. One way we help is through the Pastors’ Emergency Fund, which assists the shepherds of SSF member churches through times of unexpected need. IF YOUR PASTOR HAS AN EMERGENCY NEED, PLEASE CONTACT US TODAY. Read below to find out how the fund works, and contact Area Missionary Tom Hiscox, thiscox@infaith.org to get started.
Garfield Community Church near Estacada, OR has been a consistent supporter of the SSF Pastors’ Emergency Fund for many years, after the fund helped a previous pastor through a difficult period. To learn how your church can help support the fund, or how we can help your pastor, contact Area Missionary Tom Hiscox.
PASTORS’ EMERGENCY FUND
The Sunday School Fellowship Board of Trustees has determined that financially assisting local pastors through times of emergency is consistent with SSF’s stated purpose “to assist in the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” And specifically, “Assisting and encouraging member churches in their related functions.” (SSF Constitution, Article II)
The Sunday School Fellowship Pastors’ Emergency Fund is established for providing gifts to pastors of Sunday School Fellowship member congregations, when those shepherds of the flock are facing true emergency situations. These gifts shall not require repayment by the recipients. For the purposes of this fund, a person without the title “pastor” but serving in an equivalent shepherding role may also be eligible for this emergency assistance, at the discretion of the SSF Board of Trustees.
The funds may be accessed in two ways:
1. The InFaith area missionary (or the InFaith representative on the SSF Board of Trustees) may grant emergency gifts of up to $150 per pastor per year without advance approval of the board. These gifts and the reasons for granting them are to be reported to the next meeting of the trustees.
2. The trustees may approve additional emergency gifts in excess of the original $150, up to a maximum individual gift of $2000 but not to exceed the balance of the Pastors Emergency Fund. These gifts must be based upon documented and provable financial need arising from a true emergency situation.
Where does the money come from?
The Fund has previously been replenished by voluntary donations. However, the trustees may transfer revenues from the general fund to the Pastors Emergency Fund, if needed. They shall report any such transfers and the rationale for them at the next meeting of the General Assembly.
Defining a True Emergency
A “true emergency situation” must be an unforeseen or unforeseeable need impacting or potentially impacting the life, health or safety of the recipient or a member of the recipient’s household. Examples include but are not limited to unforeseen medical needs, home repairs, emergency transportation, food, shelter, clothing, or the like. The Trustees shall seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayer before determining whether a presented need is a true emergency.
Pastors seeking financial assistance for other needs impacting their ability to serve in their ministry are encouraged to avail themselves of Sunday School Fellowship’s generous interest-free loan program.
(Approved the Board of Trustees on 9/19/25.)