Word&Way has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation to undergird its Truth Matters campaign.
The gift represents a 10th of the annual campaign goal of $500,000, according to Editor Bill Webb.
"Truth Matters is an effort that builds on our 115-year heritage of reliability and accurate reporting, exemplified by Founding Editor Sanford Brown," the editor said.
Word&Way has relied upon donor gifts from individuals and families, churches and organizations to augment subscription and advertising sales for nearly 10 years.
Increasing donor gifts to $500,000 a year for five years will help place Word&Way on a sound financial footing not only for the present but for years to come, Webb said.
Baugh Foundation funds are administered by the late John and Eula Mae Baugh's daughter, Babs Baugh, and her daughters, Jackie Moore and Julie Ortiz, of San Antonio, Texas.
"We want to encourage you to continue your support of free and Faithful Baptists," Babs Baugh wrote in a letter announcing the grant.
"Babs, Jackie and Julie are permitting us to use this generous grant to challenge friends across Missouri to, in turn, give generously to support our valuable ministry to Baptists in the Show-Me State," Webb said.
"Word&Way is certainly grateful for this $50,000 gift, but we are equally indebted to hundreds and hundreds of friends whose faithful gifts have ranged from a few dollars to considerably more over the last 10 years," Webb said.
"We need the assistance of all who value a free and responsible press among Baptists in our state if we are to continue to serve present and future generations," he added.
The Truth Matters campaign encourages participants to make pledges of up to five years and to consider including Word&Way in their estate plans. "Many supporters have already done both," Webb said.
John Baugh, who died March 5, 2007, was a member of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston and founder of the SYSCO Corporation. "He and his wife were major benefactors of a number of Baptist causes and institutions," the editor said. "Mr. Baugh championed Baptist principles and encouraged those who shared his passion."
