Category: From the Memo Board

Dates to Know

April 1 – February Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

April 1 – March Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

April 2 – The Office will be closed in celebration of the Resurrection.

May 1 – March Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

May 1 – April Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

May 1 – Reports for Foreign Non-Profit Organizations will be due.

June 1 – April Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

June 1 – May Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

Doctrinal Agreement

If you have submitted your doctrinal agreement statement, your new card for 2021-2022 is now available for you to download and print from your SecureCloud folder. If you have not yet submitted your annual agreement, please click here, or email us as soon as possible, indicating that you have read and are still in agreement with our Articles of Faith. If you have questions or concerns, please contact John O’Malley.

Financial Status Report

We have uploaded a Financial Status Report to your SecureCloud account, showing figures for the first quarter of 2021. This is meant to show you the financial details that we have on file, such as your support estimate and the average amount of support you received this past quarter. This is information we provide to pastors who may call about your ministry. We ask that all missionaries update their support estimate once every four years, or as their lives and ministries change. Please review this information and contact us if you have any questions.

Tax Filing Information

Extended Deadlines: The US Government has extended tax filing deadlines for all individuals until May 17, 2021. Please click here to read information from the IRS. We recommend that you still speak with your tax preparer about the ability to file as soon as possible if you expect to receive a refund.

Stimulus Payments: Many individuals received stimulus payments in 2020 and also 2021. The first round of checks started in mid-2020. The second round was begun in December 2020. A third round began in March 2021. While these funds will not be taxable income to you, they do need to be reported on your tax forms. Be sure to provide your tax preparer with the amount(s) and approximate date(s) of any stimulus payments you received.

Uplift Podcast

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

The Love of Christ Constraineth Us

The Women Who Helped

Our Daily Walk

Books We Enjoy

Dates to Know

April 1 – February Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

April 1 – March Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

April 2 – The Office will be closed in celebration of the Resurrection.

April 15 – Tax Filing Deadline for both US Missionaries and Non-Resident Missionaries who were in the US in 2020.

May 1 – March Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

May 1 – April Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

Stimulus Checks and Your Taxes

In 2020, the US Government issued two rounds of stimulus checks to US Citizens. The funds are not taxable income. However, for accounting purposes, the IRS is requiring US individuals who received the funds to record the amount(s) on their 2020 Tax Returns. When filing your taxes, you will need to provide this information to your tax preparer, along with your other tax-related information. For a list of items to consider, click here to view the Items to Provide to Your Tax Preparer article from last month’s Headquarter Happenings.

REAL ID Update

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 to establish minimum security standards for state identification cards such as driver’s licenses. Although the compliance deadline has been extended several times, the current deadline is October 1, 2021. Starting October 1, state driver’s licenses presented at U.S. airports for ID purposes must be a “REAL ID” version. Otherwise, an alternative form of ID, such as a passport, will be required. If you are a US Citizen who is currently in the US, or if you plan to be this year, we recommend that you make arrangements to update your driver’s license to the REAL ID. This process may require advance appointments depending on your state.

Click here for information from Homeland Security.
Click here for information from the Transportation Security Administration.

Traveling in a COVID World

The past year has brought with it many adjustments because of COVID. One area that continues to see many changes is air travel, specifically international air travel. Several of our missionaries have dealt with significant challenges related to the timing of COVID testing and their flights. Things to keep in mind if you are traveling internationally:

• Most international flights now require you to show proof of a negative COVID test within a certain timeframe of boarding your flight.
• Tests must typically be of the PCR variety. Rapid test results are often not accepted.
• Some countries require the test to be within a certain number of hours from boarding the first flight. However, some countries require the test to be within a certain number of hours from arriving in-country. This may require a layover mid-way in your itinerary with enough time to get a second test taken and receive results prior to your boarding your last flight. (We know of one situation where an individual was denied boarding because they were fewer than 10 minutes outside of the timeframe.)
• Many regulations are set by the country to which you are going. The airlines are charged with enforcement based on when they allow passengers to board. Because the airlines wish to continue business internationally, they will tend to be very specific on the enforcement of the policies.
• Many countries have mandatory quarantines upon arrival in the country.
• In addition to guidelines set by countries, most airlines have their own regulations about wearing masks on flights. In many cases, even children age 2 and above are required to wear a mask for the entire flight.
• Meal and beverage services provided by the airlines may be limited or non-existent.

What can you do?

• Be prepared! Research information with the Embassy of each country you will visit on your trip. These change frequently! It may be a good idea to check this every few days to be sure you have the most up-to-date information. Research testing sites near the airports you will use.
• Be proactive! You may wish to get tested every day for several days leading up to your scheduled trip. In the event results from the first test don’t come in time for your booked flight you will already be prepared for a possible flight the following day, instead of rebooking another week out. This could also cover you in the event of a flight delay.
• Be pliable! Plan extra days on both ends of your travel to allow for testing, delays, or quarantine necessities.
• Be protected! Be ready financially for unexpected expenses such as additional hotel costs or rebooking fees. Look into travel insurance that will cover delays or cancellations related to COVID.
• Be patient! Testing sites are busy around the clock. Labs are working overtime. Airline employees are trying to keep up with ever-changing regulations and pacify frustrated travelers.
• Be proclaiming! People are frustrated. People are afraid. People are seeking answers. Christ the Great Physician has the ultimate cure and comfort.

Microsoft Excel

We request that all users complete their financial report template using Microsoft Excel rather than Apple’s Numbers or other programs. Although Apple’s spreadsheet application does export to Excel, doing so removes many key features that our staff relies on to review the reports. Similarly, Google Docs is not structured to handle many of the formulas in the template and often creates problems with the figures. If you need to purchase a copy of Microsoft Excel for Windows or for Mac, we can obtain these for you at a discounted rate. If switching to Excel creates a hardship for you, please contact us. If you have questions, please let us know. We appreciate your assistance in this area!

Changes in Ministry and your Financial Reports

Changes in ministry can affect the typical expenses you list on your reports from month to month. For instance, someone on deputation will primarily have travel expenses, while someone on the field may have more costs related to renting a building or purchasing nursery snacks and Sunday School supplies. Someone coming home on furlough will be dealing with meal allowances and lodging costs they don’t usually see when on the field, and may be using a borrowed vehicle, which must be recorded differently from a vehicle they own. We suggest that you click here to review our checklist of commonly overlooked expenses, to be sure you are claiming all allowable deductions. If you have questions about your financial reports, please contact Naomi.

Birth Announcements

Congratulations to Colton and Melodie Lee on the birth of their first son, Douglas Micaiah. He was born on February 14. He weighed 7 pounds 3.4 ounces and was 19 inches long. Please pray for the Lees as they minister in international evangelism.

Congratulations to Michael and Nora Deatrick on the birth of Michelle “Ellie” Hope, who was born on February 24. She weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and was 21 inches long. Ellie joins her brother Corban (4) and sister Kezia (2). Please pray for the Deatrick’s and their ministry in the Solomon Islands.

Uplift Podcast

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Weary in Well Doing

Remember the Helpers

Psalm 3, Part One

Unto the Furtherance of the Gospel

Dates to Know

February 1 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2020 tax year will be available for US Missionaries.

February 1 – January Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

February 15 – The new 2021 MFR Template for US Missionaries will be available.

March 1 – Missionaries who typically receive their support on the 29th will receive their February funds on this day.

March 1 – January Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

March 1 – February Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

April 1 – February Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

April 1 – March Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

Family Fellowship Week

We have made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s Family Fellowship Week due to COVID-19. We believe it is the wisest and safest choice for our missions family. To celebrate World Wide’s 50 years of service, we are planning a special one-day celebration. More information on this celebration will be forthcoming as details are confirmed.

Benefits of Financial Reports for US Citizens

The Monthly Financial Report (MFR) is the tool that missionaries can use to become accountable to WWNTBM for their reimbursable expenses, rather than having all funds listed as personal earnings. Over the course of 2020, 82% of those eligible chose to submit MFRs. By doing so, they were able to reduce their 1099 Personal Earnings by a combined average of 26.27%. If you are not currently utilizing MFRs and would like information about how to begin, please contact our office.

Financial Status Report

We have uploaded a Financial Status Report to your SecureCloud account, showing figures for the fourth quarter of 2020. This is meant to show you the financial details that we have on file, such as your support estimate and the average amount of support you received this past quarter. This is the information we provide to pastors who may call about your ministry. We ask that all missionaries update their support estimate once every four years, or as their lives and ministries change. Please review this information and contact us if you have any questions.

New Baby

Gideon Josiah Brown was born on January 12. He weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. Gideon is the son of Matthew and Nikki Brown. He joins older siblings Joshua (7), Julie (5), Judah (4), and Elijah (2). The Browns are missionaries to Cambodia. Please pray for their family and ministry!

New Uplift Format

We have recently changed our Uplift format! Starting in February, Uplift will become a weekly pre-recorded podcast only and available at any time on our Uplift website, uplift.wwntbm.com. Board Members David Landers, Fred Daniel, Jr., and Gene Krachenfels, along with Bro. John O’Malley will take turns hosting the podcast each week. We hope you find the conversations uplifting and challenging. The introductory episode for this new format can be found here.

Each quarter, we will provide a fellowship Zoom call for our mission family. We will communicate the dates and times to you at a later point.

You can subscribe to the podcast at uplift.wwntbm.com and receive emails or notifications when a new episode airs. The username is wwntbm and the password is gospel. All past episodes of Uplift will continue to be available on the site. You will find many encouraging devotionals and practical sessions.

We recently recorded a video that will show you how you can listen and subscribe to episodes of Uplift. Click here to view that video.

Continue to watch Headquarter Happenings for links to the latest episodes!

Dates to Know

January 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

January 1 – December Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

January 4-5 – The Office will be closed for staff training.

January 8 – Missionaries will receive their statements of December Support Received.

January 13 – All missionaries will receive their final December support on this day, regardless of the day they normally receive support.

January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2020.

January 20 – Please check your Tax Info Status Report on SecureCloud and contact us by January 20 if any details need to be changed concerning how we will handle your tax paperwork.

February 1 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2020 tax year will be available.

February 1 – January Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

February 15 – The new 2021 MFR Template for US Missionaries will be available.

March 1 – January Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

March 1 – February Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

June 21-24 – Family Fellowship Week in Kinston, NC.

SecureCloud Packets

At the end of each month, we scan any mail that has come to the Office and place it in your SecureCloud folder. This would include check stubs for all bills paid by the office, as well as any cards or correspondence from donors. Please be sure to check SecureCloud periodically, especially once you receive the notice that December packets have been uploaded, as many missionaries have received Christmas cards and letters which are available to you there.

January Income Totals

During a typical month, we close the books on the 25th, and any checks received after that date are posted to the following month. Due to receipting requirements, we cannot do this in the month of December. As a result, please be aware that your December support total may be higher than normal, while your January support total may be lower than normal. Please be sure to plan ahead for this!

Housing Allowances for 2021

Housing allowances previously in place have automatically rolled over to the new year. Missionaries who are ordained are eligible to have a housing allowance in place, which can provide certain tax benefits. If you did not have a housing allowance in 2020 and would like to have one for 2021, or if you have questions regarding this, please contact our office.

New Excel Template for US Missionaries

A new Excel template for the year 2021 will be available on February 15. This will give us time to review the need for any possible updates. January financial reports will be due on March 1. Should you wish to complete your January report before the new template is available, you are welcome to submit it on the 2020 template.

New Mileage Rate

Beginning on January 1st, the IRS mileage rate has decreased to $0.560 per mile for business/ministry miles. This change will be reflected in the new Excel template for 2021.

New Tax Form This Year for US Missionaries

The IRS has created a new type of 1099 Form.  In the past, World Wide issued a Form 1099-MISC.  This year, we will issue Form 1099-NEC.  This stands for Non-Employment Compensation.  It is our understanding that this should not affect the manner in which you file your taxes.  It will only affect the form that you receive from us.  Your tax preparer can assist you if you have questions in this area.  Tax forms will be available on SecureCloud by February 1, 2021, and the originals will also be mailed on that day.

New Baby

Congratulations to Stephen and Julie Knickerbocker on the birth of Korben Asher.  He was born on December 7.  He weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces and was 18 inches long.  Korben joins older sisters Alina (4) and Kezia (2).  Please pray for the Knickerbockers and their ministry in Burkina Faso.

Uplift Podcast

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Be A Light by Ted Daub

Why Paul Refused to Quit by Mike Renfrow

The Prosperity of the Wicked by Jeremy Lockhart

Don’t Forget Your Spouse! by Terri Moore

Dates to Know

December 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

December 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

December 13 – All prayer letters mailed through prayerletters.com should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them before Christmas.

December 17 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Christmas or the end of the year.

December 20 – All prayer letters submitted solely through MailChimp should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them by the end of the year.

December 21-25 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Christmas.

January 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

January 1 – December Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

January 4-5 – The Office will be closed for staff training.

January 8 – Missionaries will receive their statements of December Support Received.

January 13 – All missionaries will receive their final December support on this day, regardless of the day they normally receive support.

January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2020.

February 1 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2020 tax year will be available.

June 21-24 – Family Fellowship Week in Kinston, NC.

December Support

Please contact us via Signal by December 17 if you would like funds in your account before Christmas. Final December support distributions will be made on January 13 for all missionaries, regardless of their regular pay date. Contacting us by December 17 will enable us to schedule your funds around bank closings and holiday hours. Should you have an emergency need after December 18, you may contact our staff at the following numbers:

Kim O’Malley: 704-974-1008
Naomi Torberson: 704-692-7237

January Income Totals

During a typical month, we close the books on the 25th, and any checks received after that date are posted to the following month. Due to receipting requirements, we cannot do this in the month of December. As a result, please be aware that your December support total may be higher than normal, while your January support total may be lower than normal. Please be sure to plan ahead for this!

2020 Graduates

Congratulations to those in our missions family who have graduated in recent months!

Clarisse Gilliam graduated from Pimlico State High School on November 20. Pray for her as she seeks the Lord’s will for the future. Clarisse is the daughter of Kelly and Becca Gilliam, our missionaries in Australia.

Seth Folkers graduated with his Masters in Divinity from Baptist Theological Seminary in August. Bro. Folkers and his family serve in Cameroon. Pray for them as they return to the field in December.

New Baby

Congratulations to Stephen and Anelly Villarreal on the birth of Timothy Jeremiah. He was born on November 25, weighing 7 lbs., 15 oz. and measuring 21.25 inches long. Timothy joins his older brother Stephen, Jr. (2.) Please pray for the Villarreals as they are on deputation to go to Mexico.

Uplift Podcast

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Clarifying Your Message Over the Phone by Duey Whitfield

Go Forward by Mike Gali

Waiting for Results by Al Lorenzo

Do the Right Thing by Stephen Sorrel

Transitioning to the Field by David Landers

Things to Remember in Difficult Times by Markie Bullock

Flexible in the Spirit by Bill Wingard

God With Us by David Price

Get Out of the Shallows by Chris Swiatocho

International Medical Insurance

We recently became aware of two international medical insurance providers. If you would like to learn more about these providers, please see the information below.

Azimuth Risk Solutions LLC
Azimuth Risk Solutions heath insurance offers three types of medical insurance: short-term travel, extended major medical, and simplified issue. Rates vary depending on age and deductible of choice. You can check out the types of insurance and rates Azimuth provides on their website at https://www.azimuthrisk.com.

Cigna Global
Cigna Global insurance plans combine the reassurance of comprehensive inpatient cover, with the flexibility of optional additional modules, allowing you to build a plan that’s right for you. You can view their plan options and rates on their website at https://www.cignaglobal.com/international-medical-insurance.

Dates to Know

November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

November 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

November 11 – Most US Banks will be closed for Veterans Day.

November 20 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Thanksgiving.

November 26-27 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Thanksgiving.

December 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

December 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

December 13 – All prayer letters mailed through prayerletters.com should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them before Christmas.

December 17 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Christmas or the end of the year.

December 20 – All prayer letters submitted solely through MailChimp should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them by the end of the year.

December 21-25 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Christmas.

January 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

January 1 – December Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

January 8 – Missionaries will receive their statements of December Support Received.

January 13 – All missionaries will receive their final December support on this day, regardless of the day they normally receive support.

January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2020.

February 1 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2020 tax year will be available.

Mileage Guidelines for US Missionaries

A recent conversation with our CPA revealed our guidelines for mileage have been broader than the IRS allows for business/ministry deductions. Our procedures manual currently indicates that mileage to and from the church for non-ministerial functions such as mowing the grass or upkeep on the building is not allowed as ministry by the IRS, as it is considered ‘charitable miles’ rather than business/ministry-related. However, our manual also indicates that mileage to and from the church for ministerial activities (outside of regular services) such as counseling, Bible studies, etc., can be listed.

We have learned the IRS stipulates: “Transportation costs which may be deductible include trips for hospital and nursing home visits, attendance at conferences, or other church business. However, trips between the minister’s personal residence and the church are considered nondeductible commuting expenses.” Please note this clarification and be sure to consider this when submitting financial reports. This change will primarily affect those US Missionaries on the field, as those on deputation or furlough are primarily traveling for meetings or conferences.

Christmas Prayer Letter Services

If the office assists in mailing your prayer letters through PrayerLetters.com or PrayerLetters.com and MailChimp, please send us your information by December 13th for your recipients to receive it before Christmas. If we assist with your MailChimp emails only, please get us your information by December 20th in order for your recipients to receive them by the end of the year. Please be aware that letters received in our office after these days may experience delays due to the holidays. Please plan the timing of your letters accordingly, and contact the office if you have any questions. Thank you!

January Income Totals

During a typical month, we close the books on the 25th, and any checks received after that date are posted to the following month. Due to receipting requirements, we cannot do this in the month of December. As a result, please be aware that your December support total may be higher than normal, while your January support total may be lower than normal. Please be sure to plan ahead for this!

Upcoming Financial Reports for US Missionaries

Please prepare now to ensure that your year-end financial reports are submitted on time. October reports are due December 1, November reports are due January 1, and December reports are due January 15. If it is possible for you to submit reports before the due dates, that would greatly assistant our staff. Please note, it is fine to submit a report without waiting for the Line 1 income figure. We can add that for you as needed. Reports should be submitted to [email protected]. Please be sure to include all receipts for expenses $75 and over at the same time you submit your report so there are no delays in processing. Thank you for your help in these areas.

New Baby

Congratulations to Trevor and Sabrina Deneau on the birth of Felix Lou Deneau. He was born on November 1, weighing 7 lbs, 7 oz. and measuring 20 inches long. He joins older brothers Emrys (3) and Theodore (2). Please pray for the Deneaus as they are on deputation to go to Italy.

Uplift Resource

We recently added a new page on the Missionary Orientation School site train.wwntbm.com. Uplift recordings having to do with various topics such as Deputation, Missionary and Family, Prayer Letters, etc. have been categorized and linked on this page. If you are in need of encouragement in a certain area, we hope that this resource will be a blessing to you!

Uplift Podcast

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Something Worth Waiting For by Mike Ward

God is in Control by David Landers

Forward March by Guy Grenade

Guarding a Glad Heart by Gabe Eiben

That Which is Shaking You is Shaping You by Adrian Hendricks

Time Management and Organization by Jeremy Kobernat

Hold On! by Charles David

Clarifying Your Message in Prayer Letters by Duey Whitfield

Dates to Know

October 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

October 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

October 12 – Most US Banks will be closed for Columbus Day.

November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

November 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

November 11 – Most US Banks will be closed for Veterans Day.

November 20 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Thanksgiving.

November 26-27 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Thanksgiving.

December 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

December 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

December 13 – All prayer letters mailed through prayerletters.com should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them before Christmas.

December 17 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Christmas or the end of the year.

December 20 – All prayer letters submitted solely through MailChimp should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them by the end of the year.

December 21-25 – The office will be closed in celebration of Christmas.

January 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

January 1 – December Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

January 8 – Missionaries will receive their statements of December Support Received.

January 13 – All missionaries will receive their final December support on this day, regardless of the day they normally receive support.

January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2020.

February 1 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2020 tax year will be available.

Medicare Enrollment

We have recently learned that US individuals who fail to sign up with the Social Security Administration for Medicare benefits at least three months prior to their 65th birthday may owe a monthly late penalty for the rest of their years while they are on Medicare. If you are nearing your 65th birthday, we recommend that you click here to learn more. We are not sure how Medicare benefits affect individuals overseas. However, if you are in the US, you may wish to look into supplemental insurance coverage to help with medical needs not covered by Medicare. If you do not already have a company or agent for insurance, please let us know and we can send you contact information for companies who may be able to assist you.

Financial Report Reminder

As we enter the last quarter of the year, thoughts turn to year-end tax procedures. Many people begin thinking of last-minute deductions that will affect them. For our US Missionaries, if you anticipate making large ministry purchases and you desire the purchase to be a deduction in the year 2020, you may wish to make the purchase by the end of November. Because of the way our 1099s are calculated, December expenses are “reimbursed” out of January income, so the tax benefit on your 1099 would actually be considered a 2021 reimbursement. Regardless of when the purchase is made, you will still receive a tax benefit. However, we wanted you to be aware of these deadlines as you plan your expenses over the next few months.

Please keep in mind the due dates for financial reports. With the holidays approaching it is easy to let these slip past, but our CPA has encouraged us we need to keep to the due dates, per IRS regulations. The best situation is for you to report all ministry expenses through WW, thus providing the fullest tax benefit. If you do not submit an MFR on time, you can still submit it on your personal taxes on a Schedule C. If you are not currently submitting financial reports we suggest you consider this option. If you have questions about this, please contact Naomi Torberson.

Celebrating 50 Years

In 1971, God brought to fulfillment the dream He had planted in Bill Wingard’s heart to start a missions agency. That same year, Calvary Baptist Church of New Bern hosted the first annual Family Fellowship Week. The Lord willing, June 21-24, 2021, New Testament Baptist Church of Kinston will co-host the 50th Family Fellowship Week, along with Calvary of New Bern. The week will celebrate the completion, rather than the beginning, of our 50th year of service. Mark your calendars and make plans now to attend!

Uplift Podcast

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Hard Days, Hurting Days, Humble Days by Jeremy Kobernat

Christ’s Righteousness by Josh Wagar

Deputation Email Using MailChimp by Kevin Taylor

God Provides by Matthew Rose

Christ is All I Need by James Grandinetti

Meekness by Jonathan Earnhart

A Chance to Reassess by Ken Sparks

Bible Translation by Steve Zeinner

Being Real on Deputation by Jacob McKinney

Success or Failure? by Ghassan Haddad

Where is Your Focus? by Daniel Fetter

Dates to Know

September 7 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Labor Day.

October 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

October 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

November 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

New Staff Member

Mrs. Hannah Brenneman joined the WWNTBM office staff on Monday, August 17, 2020. She and her family recently moved to Marion, NC, where her husband Daniel is pastoring the Maranatha Baptist Church. The Brennemans have three children: Alec (13), Ariana (9), and Ava (5). As an office assistant, she will review and communicate with you about your monthly financial reports. She will also help schedule you for our online missions conference and Uplift. Her email address is [email protected]. We are excited to have her as a part of our staff! Click here to watch an interview with Bro. O’Malley.

New Baby!

Selicia Leseli Ortiz was born on August 24. Her name means salt and light, and she is the daughter of Rolando and Hannah Ortiz, who minister in Mexico. The Ortizes have three other children: Azelia (6), Viana (5), and Amadeo (2). Selicia is the granddaughter of Fred Jr. and Beth Daniel.

Notice from the IRS about 2019 Tax Returns

If a taxpayer mailed a check with or without a tax return, it may be unopened in the backlog of mail the IRS is processing due to COVID-19.

Any payments will be posted as the date the IRS received them rather than the date the agency processed them. To avoid penalties and interest, taxpayers should not cancel their checks and should ensure funds continue to be available so the IRS can process them.

To provide fair and equitable treatment, the IRS is providing relief from bad check penalties for dishonored checks the agency received between March 1 and July 15 due to delays in this IRS processing. However, interest and penalties may still apply. See www.irs.gov/payments for options to make payments other than by mail.

Uplift Podcasts

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

We had several problems with the Uplift audio files over the past several months. Many of these were recorded at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020. Thankfully, we were able to get the audio sorted out so that we could share these times of encouragement and idea-sharing with you.

A Great Burden by Jim Davidson

I Feel Alone by Josh Wagar

Biblical Leadership by Joel Dickens

Reasons to be Thankful by Gene Krachenfels

Fear Not by Daniel Fetter

The Birth of Christ and Revival by Edgar Feghaly

Dates to Know

September 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

September 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

September 7 – the Office will be closed in celebration of Labor Day.

October 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

October 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

New Baby!

Leire Bonikowsky was born on June 29. She is the first child of David and Raquel Bonikowsky, who minister in the Basque region of Spain. Leire is the granddaughter of Andy and Mimi Bonikowsky, and the great-granddaughter of Al and Helga Bonikowsky, all of whom have served with World Wide for many years.

New Engagement!

Garrett Conley and Katlyn Payton are engaged to be married. Garrett is currently receiving training as an assistant pastor at Southview Baptist Church in Statesville, NC. Their goal is to go to Ireland after they have the qualifications to obtain a visa. Pray for this couple as they prepare to be married and make plans for their future together!

Dates to Know

July 3 – Our Office and US banks will be closed in celebration of Independence Day.

August 1 – June Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

August 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

September 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

September 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

Things to Consider When Mentioning Financial Needs to Donors

You may occasionally have financial needs that are not covered by your regular support funds. WWNTBM asks that you contact us prior to seeking designated funds from donors. It is good for your donors to be aware of the needs of your ministry. However, there are some things that you should think through when mentioning such needs to donors. Please keep these in mind, and contact our office if you have any questions.

First, if you are asking to raise funds for a specific project, we request that you confirm for us in advance that your sending pastor is aware of and behind the project. In order for WW to issue tax receipts for specially designated funds, the Executive Board has to include it in our minutes, and they prefer to know that your sending pastor is aware of the situation.

Second, there are many logistical items the Office can assist you with. For instance, it may not be advisable to ask donors to mark a gift as “France Building” because we may already have another missionary raising funds with that designation, and it could create confusion for how we would post the donation. Therefore, it is always best to confer with the Office prior to contacting donors, so that we can help advise on the best way for funds to be designated. In addition to the designation, there may be tax implications to you based on the manner in which funds are designated. We can help ensure the best tax situation for you as funds are received.

Third, we always recommend that donors make checks payable to WW, rather than to the individual missionary. Although we do have the ability to cash checks in your name, this makes for a smoother process and can avoid unnecessary tax paperwork for the church and the missionary. (If a church makes funds payable to you in the amount of $600 or more over the course of the year, they are required to issue a separate 1099 to you, even if the funds came through WW. In addition, if you are not a US citizen, there may be other tax and visa implications for you.)

How to Record Canceled Flights on Your MFR

Many of our missionaries had flights that were canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. This creates a unique situation for MFRs. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

If you received a cash refund of the costs but had not yet listed the ticket purchase on your MFR, you can simply leave all records of the transaction(s) off of the reports.

If you received a cash refund of the costs and had already listed the original purchase as an expense on a previously submitted report, you should list the refund as “income from other sources” in the month you received the refund. This shows a full paper trail of the financial transactions.

If you received an airline credit, rather than a cash refund for the tickets, you may still list the cost of the ticket on your report. However, you should ensure that you only exchange the credit in the future for the purchase of another qualifying ministry flight. Because the cost was already accounted for, you would not list the cost on a future MFR when redeeming the credit later on, which would result in a duplication of the expense. However, ticket change fees or mileage redemption fees related to using the credit may still be listed as additional costs on your report.

Software Policy

Microsoft allows WWNTBM, as a non-profit, to provide discounted software to our missionaries. After an audit from Microsoft, we realized changes in their policy cause us to make adjustments in our policy.

Missionaries and their nuclear family are eligible to receive discounted software through WWNTBM. Children out of the home are not eligible.

Board members are eligible to receive discounted software for their personal computers; however, their ministries and families are not eligible to receive discounted software through WWNTBM.

Ministries such as churches, schools, orphanages, etc., are considered separate entities and are therefore not eligible. If your non-profit ministry needs discounted software for its office, you can seek to establish a non-profit relationship directly with Microsoft.

If you are interested in obtaining discounted software or have questions about the above policy, please contact Rebekah Tolley.

New Baby!

Elijah Thomas Elwart was born on June 1. He weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. Elijah is the first son of Jackie and Brittany Elwart, who are on deputation to go to Big Bear, CA. He joins his sisters Charlotte (13), Audrey (11), and Sadie (9). Pray for the Elwarts as they travel and raise their support.