THE FORGE
A Quarterly money and ministry update
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
— Ephesians 2:10
Why The Forge?
At Foundry, we believe every person is created with purpose and called to a life of meaning. Like iron in the fire, we are continually being refined, sharpened, and strengthened. That’s the heart behind The Forge—a quarterly resource designed to help every person who calls Foundry home more fully engaged in the mission.
Our aim is to help you live a Christ-centered life, intentionally leveraging your time, talents, and treasure for maximum Kingdom impact.
In each edition of The Forge, you'll find:
Stories that celebrate how God is moving through His people
Resources to encourage and equip you in your walk with Christ
Transparency about how your generosity is being stewarded for mission
We understand the deep trust it takes to give to Foundry, and we want you to feel confident that your generosity is going to eternity-shaping Kingdom work, managed with wisdom, integrity, and vision. And more than that—we want to come alongside you as you grow in your own Kingdom impact.
I’m so grateful for the many ways—through your prayers, service, and giving—we are becoming people of Kingdom impact: those who know, follow, and share Jesus in the world.
Thank you for investing in life-changing, Christ-centered ministry. I am truly grateful for you.
With joy,
Pastor Ray
2025 Giving
Jan - July 2025
What We’ve Recieved
$2,108,197.29
Given So Far
What Was Expected
$2,297,980.00
Needed By This Point
The Gap
-$189.782.71
Behind Budget
Visual Snapshot
• We are slightly behind where we hoped to be at this point in the year.
• Every dollar matters in supporting ministry, outreach, and daily operations.
Why This Matters
We are grateful for your faithfulness and generosity. If you haven't started giving, or if you feel led to increase your giving, now is a great time to help close the gap.
Encouragment
$6,146,357
Total Amount Pledged
$1,403,282
Total Pledges Received
Stewardship:
Planting for a Kingdom Harvest
Written by Tim Hudson. Tim has been a member of Foundry since 1997 and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with SilverStar Wealth Management/LifeBridge Financial Group. He can be reached at tim@silverstarwealth.com.
Regardless of our occupation, income, or level of wealth, the amount of “seeds” (money) we earn over a lifetime can be significant. But if those seeds are not managed wisely, much of what we earn can be scattered and lost. Scripture reminds us in Galatians 6:7–9: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows… Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
When we take a purposeful, biblical approach—treating our finances as seeds entrusted to us by God—we can multiply what has been given into an abundant harvest that blesses our families, advances His work, and secures our future.
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Before we can manage money well, we must understand who owns it. Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” That means our resources—our time, gifts, possessions, and even our ability to earn—belong to Him. We are merely trustees.
When we embrace this truth, financial planning transforms from a mere task into an act of worship and obedience.
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To manage God’s blessings well, we should first discover our gifts, purpose, and goals. Understanding our “why” motivates us to align our money with our values. Psalm 32:8 promises: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” Proverbs 15:22 adds: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
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Managing a budget (cash flow planning) may not sound exciting, but it is one of the most powerful tools for planting seeds of wealth and creating lasting impact. Many of us are surprised to learn how much we spend, which often leads to unnecessary debt.
The START framework provides a simple guide:
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Seek God’s wisdom and ask Him to guide our financial decisions. When we embrace this truth, financial planning transforms from a mere task into an act of worship and obedience.
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Think about where we are today and where we want to be in the future.
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Act by developing a written plan that begins with managing our cash flow—so it does not manage us. As they say in West Texas, “Big hat—no cattle” unfortunately describes far too many Americans living beyond their means. Practicing gratitude, distinguishing needs from wants, reducing unnecessary spending, and eliminating the “weeds” of high-interest and unnecessary debt all contribute to growth. Consider partnering with a spouse or trusted friend to share goals, track progress, and stay accountable. Including clear rewards for success and consequences for setbacks can provide added motivation.
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Review the plan regularly to ensure progress and maintain positive cash flow. Once the cash flow foundation is strong, we can begin planning in other areas such as risk management, investing, tax strategies, retirement, and estate planning.
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Tune the plan as life changes, aligning new opportunities and goals with God’s purpose while refining broader strategies for long-term growth.
Conclusion
Every dollar we earn is a seed. When planted intentionally—by giving first, saving diligently, spending wisely, and investing for the future—those seeds can grow into a bountiful harvest of gratitude, provision, security, and an enduring legacy.
As I was preparing this article, someone shared a story of a couple in our church. Just a few years ago, they were in serious debt, putting a child through college, and navigating the loss of a job. But instead of giving in to fear, they decided to pray. God led them to create their first budget and commit to giving consistently. Within a few years, they had eliminated all credit card debt, built an emergency fund, and increased their generosity to missions—seeing God provide in ways they never expected.
The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:6–8:
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give… And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
A First Step:
Take one simple step to sow a seed this week: pray over your finances, start a basic written budget or reach out to a trusted financial adviser or mentor. The hardest part is getting started. But once you take the first step, momentum builds. Pray, plan, act, and watch how God multiplies the seeds you sow.
From Student to Shepherd:
Jason Perkins’ Journey with Christ Comes Full Circle
Meet Jason Perkins—our new Student Ministry Director at the Fry Road Campus.
Jason grew up right here at Foundry. He spent his childhood and teenage years at both campuses—and his family is still an active part of the Foundry community today. Foundry played a huge role in laying a firm foundation for Jason’s faith.
“Even as a kid, I was always curious about God,” Jason says. “I was that 5th grader who, after every lesson, would go up to the teacher with all the hard questions. During Sunday services, I’d take my questions straight to whoever was preaching. That curiosity only grew as I got older.”
His senior year of high school, Jason got more connected with Theresa—who was leading Family Ministry—and TJ, who was on the Foundry Student Ministry staff. “They were the first people who really took the time to listen to my questions and help me see how Scripture speaks to them,” Jason recalls.
“Two mission trips to Haiti opened my eyes to the personal and relational nature of Jesus in a way I had never experienced before.”
After high school, Jason headed to Texas Tech to study economics. Like many college students, he began to wrestle with his faith.
“I began to think… I know who Jesus is and what He offers—but what does the world have to offer? Sadly, I chose to pursue what the world offered. That path led me to a place of deep emptiness. By the start of my junior year, I was struggling with depression and felt completely dissatisfied with my life.”
Then one night, everything shifted. As Jason reflected on his life—where he had grown up and where he was that day—he said: “The Holy Spirit placed this thought in my heart: ‘What are you doing?’ And I knew exactly what He meant. In that moment, everything I had learned at Foundry came rushing back. I remembered that my identity isn’t based on what I do—but on who God is.”
That moment marked a turning point. Jason got connected to a local church and started truly pursuing Jesus and His Word. Now, years later, he’s back—serving in the same ministry that once shaped him, and walking alongside students just like the church once did for him. This is what the church does.
Through consistent investment, caring leaders, and meaningful relationships, we introduce young people to a faith that lasts. Foundry helped shape Jason’s story—and now, your partnership helps him shape others.
Your giving to Foundry makes this possible. Because you give, students are welcomed into a Christ-centered community that listens, guides, and walks with them through the most formative years of life. And sometimes, they come back to lead the next generation—right where it all began.
Staying Safe in a World of Smarter Scams
Scammers are becoming more creative every day. Whether it’s a call, email, or text, the best protection is knowing what to look for. Technology is advancing quickly—and scammers are taking advantage. A growing trend is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to clone voices and impersonate people you know and trust.
These tips are designed to help you guard your finances and personal information in everyday life. Along the way, we’ll also point out how this applies to messages you might receive from Foundry, so you can always feel confident about what’s real.
A Real Life Story
One pastor in the Foundry Network—despite a strong background in finance and a solid understanding of scam tactics—was recently deceived by a highly sophisticated attack. After noticing suspicious activity on his account, he did the right thing and called his bank directly. Just minutes later, he received what appeared to be a return call, displaying the same legitimate bank number he had just dialed.
Trusting it as a follow-up from the bank, he spoke with someone who sounded professional and convincing. But it was a scam. The fraudsters had spoofed (duplicated) the bank’s number and intercepted his call, creating a scenario so real that even an experienced financial professional fell victim.
In the process, they gained access to his phone and sensitive financial information. That’s the danger of today’s AI-driven scams: they can replicate not only a trusted voice but also appear to come from a trusted phone number.
That’s why we want every member of our community to be prepared and protected.
What You Need to Know
Voice cloning is real. A scammer only needs a few seconds of recorded audio—something most pastors (and many of us) have online—to create a convincing deepfake.
Caller ID can’t be trusted. Fraudsters often spoof (or duplicate) numbers, making it appear as if the call is local or from someone you know.
Scams are urgent by design. Criminals count on panic, secrecy, and pressure to override clear thinking.
Protecting Yourself from Threats
Create a “Safe Word.”
Have a private passphrase with your family or close contacts. If a suspicious call comes in, ask for it. 👉 Why You Need a Safe WordAlways Verify.
If you get an urgent request, hang up and call back using a trusted number—or confirm by text or in person. 👉 How to Spot Voice Cloning ScamsWatch for Red Flags.
Urgency, secrecy, or unusual payment requests (gift cards, cryptocurrency) are red flags. 👉 Rise of AI Voice Cloning ScamsStrengthen Passwords.
Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and consider a password manager. 👉 Password Best PracticesMonitor & Protect Online Activity.
Change passwords after breaches, use two-step authentication, avoid phishing links, and consider monitoring credit. 👉 Seven Ways to Protect Yourself From Cyber Attack
Our Commitment to the Foundry Family
We want to be absolutely clear: No one from Foundry will ever call you asking for money, gift cards, or banking details. If you ever receive such a request, it’s a scam. And in the case of disaster relief or urgent needs, a secure giving link will always be available on the Foundry website.
Final Word
These scams are designed to exploit trust—especially within faith communities. By staying alert, using simple verification steps, and practicing digital wisdom, we can protect ourselves, our families, and our church.
And remember: if you ever get a call asking you to send money now—it’s not us.
