March 12, 2021
‘Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets’ Charity Launched to Help Pastors Facing Uncertain Financial Futures.
Brooklyn, New York — Citing the alarming number of pastors struggling financially and facing uncertain retirements, Rev. Dr. Sophony Lamour announced the formation of a groundbreaking new non-profit, ministry-based organization called Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets. According to Lamour, the charity’s founder and CEO, Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets was launched to help establish retirement planning and funding for the grassroots work of church leaders such as pastors, bishops, and apostles. Additionally, it aims to support grassroots community work in the field.
“Many pastors were on shaky financial footing pre-pandemic, and things have only grown worse since then,” said Lamour, who has served as a liaison to the United Nations. “There’s a perception that pastors, like a handful of TV ministers, make lots of money, drive fancy cars and have large homes. Nothing could be further from the truth. While some denominations do enroll clergy in retirement plans, a staggering number of small churches worldwide offer nothing to help secure a pastor’s future.”
Lamour points to a study by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) that reveals only 18 percent of pastors are confident about being financially okay in 10 years. Just as unsettling, 50 percent surveyed have salary and housing packages under $50,000. “Clearly, pastors aren’t in it for the money, but having enough to retire speaks volumes not only about pastor’s financial health, but the stewardship of the church and community,” she added. “Sadly, it’s estimated that 70 percent of pastors know pastors who have left their ministry due to financial issues.”
According to Dr. Lamour, who is mentored and inspired by her father, Bishop Dr. Stanley J. Gorrell, pastors continually tap their own savings to help others. “I’ve known immigrant pastors, for example, who work all day at their small churches, and then hustle to a second job so they can send money home to help support charitable work. It’s a precarious financial balancing act, but these are individuals unwilling to merely quote Scripture and walk away while children are going shoeless.”
She says that life isn’t much easier for many U.S. pastors. “The vast majority of pastors don’t have ministries at wealthy churches supported by affluent communities. All too often, they struggle just to keep church doors open, pay rent and provide for their families,” she said. “Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets arrives at a critical time, because the need is so great among pastors globally… and their work is so important.”
In addition to helping establish retirement planning and accounts for pastors, Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets also helps to support ministries worldwide. “For example, there are many impoverished nations where governments make no provisions for food, education, shelter — nothing,” she laments. “Any assistance must come from local churches and pastors on the ground.”
In addition to retirement planning and funding for pastors and church leaders turning 65, Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets provides philanthropic support for causes globally, such as literacy outreach programs, orphans with no beds, single mothers, safe housing, abused children. The charity is also concerned about the disabled, who she says are often bound indoors without wheelchairs or canes.
“Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets is about doing the right thing for people doing God’s work, who are often going broke in the process,” she says. “The phrase, ‘Hidden Halos’ speaks to the fact that we are living around angels and don’t even know it — those angels being you and me. And ‘Kingdom Assets’ are the often-hidden talents and resources that all of us bring to the table. In short, God didn’t put us here to live in isolation, but to be together and help each other.”
For more information about Hidden Halos Kingdom Assets, or to contribute to the futures of pastors worldwide, go to hiddenhalos-kingdomassets.com or call 646-470-9035.
