Donor Stories

Somewhere near the JAARS* center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, sits a piece of property that used to belong to Al and Janet Walker. Though small in size and believed to be small in value, the Walkers decided to leave the property, through Wycliffe Foundation, to fund a missionary support plan that will benefit nearly thirty missionaries serving around the world. 

Growing up in West Virginia during the Great Depression, Al saw his mother model sacrificial giving. Janet grew up in the same area and also understood the importance of missions.

"It never dawned on me that [missions] wasn't important," said Al, surprised that giving like theirs would draw attention. In fact, Al and Janet view giving as a benefit that God has bestowed on everyone. "We have the great privilege of investing His money," they said. 

Al and Janet gain inspiration from Matthew 25:35–36: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (NLT).

Over the years, these verses have encouraged Al and Janet to give to ministries for children, the Deaf, the imprisoned, and others in great need. And considering they also support twenty-nine missionaries serving with Wycliffe, Al and Janet clearly believe that "the Word is central." 

Al met and married Janet while attending school at Indiana University. He later became a chemistry teacher at the university level—a career he pursued for more than forty years. Janet, who was also a teacher, spent most of her time at home raising their two sons. 

The Walkers’ connection with Wycliffe began in the late 1950s while they were still attending Indiana University. Because of the school’s strong linguistics department, Al and Janet knew many translators personally, living near some of them in the old army barracks and attending church with others.

It was at that church that one of their friends gave a presentation about joining a mission group as a Bible translator, and so began the Walkers’ relationship with Wycliffe. 

Al and Janet personally know many of the missionaries they support. But that has not always been the case. Dave McNeill, who works at the Wycliffe USA office in Orlando, is one exception. Dave met the Walkers more than twenty years ago while giving a tour of the JAARS center. Though they have not seen each other since, Dave says the Walkers have remained faithful monthly supporters of his ministry.

Though they have never gone into full-time mission work themselves, Al and Janet have dedicated much of their lives to spreading the word about the importance of missions. Through correspondence, local mission activities, and personal visits, the Walkers stay updated on the missionaries they support. 

Al and Janet have also donated their time, volunteering at the JAARS center in Waxhaw, where Janet helped with housekeeping and hospitality and Al spent his time in the computer department. They also did all they could to create interest in JAARS, taking teams of friends to visit the JAARS center and planning speaking engagements for missionaries at their church.

This involvement is what prompted the Walkers to purchase land near the JAARS center, with plans to eventually volunteer full-time. But when those plans did not materialize, Al and Janet were advised that they should not leave property behind in two states. The property would be probated in both states, increasing the estate costs—including legal and court fees—and ultimately reducing the amount of money for Kingdom impact.

This advice prompted the Walkers to contact Wycliffe Foundation about the possibility of giving the property to the ministry. In doing so, they would be able to set up a missionary support plan that would continue their support of Wycliffe missionaries even after the Walkers’ lifetimes. 

After meeting with a Wycliffe Foundation gift planning associate, Al and Janet had their property appraised—and they found it was worth three times what they originally thought. After hearing this news, the Walkers still wanted Wycliffe to receive all of the proceeds.

"The idea was for service, and when we weren't going to use it, we still wanted it to go to the service," Al stated. After deeding the property to an agent of the Foundation, the Walkers received a tax deduction. They have the ability to advise the Foundation on how they want the money to be used once the property is sold. 

The Walkers exemplify the importance and impact of faithful giving. As seen in the example of this piece of property, the Lord can turn what seems to be a small gift into something that advances His kingdom.

*JAARS is a Wycliffe partner organization.