“Honour the Lord with your wealth.” Proverbs 3:9
Leave a Legacy of Love
Including ECM in your will has life-changing and eternal impacts. Your gift will be so much more than a financial donation—it will leave a legacy of love and make a lasting impact to ECM's work in New Zealand and in Europe.
Leaving a legacy that impacts eternity with the gospel
Once you have taken care of your loved ones, you may be thinking about the causes close to your heart and how you can help through leaving a gift in your will.
Thank you for considering European Christian Mission New Zealand (ECM NZ) as one of these causes, and for your desire to see lives transformed through encounter with Jesus Christ for generations to come.
If you have further questions about financially supporting the work of ECM in New Zealand, or in Europe, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you do include us in your will, we would appreciate you letting us know so that we can make a record of it.
More information
What is a Will?
A Will is a legal document that sets out your instructions for what should happen to your possessions and money after your death. You will need to appoint ‘executors’ to handle your estate – friends or family who you can trust to ensure that your wishes are carried out. Your Will can also include any details of what you would like by way of a funeral or whether you wish to leave any organs for transplant or medical research. You should also include arrangements for guardianship of any dependent children.
When should I make a Will?
The sooner the better. If you are married or separated it is especially important. Both partners should make separate Wills. Wills are not just for those who are elderly. Anyone who has any significant assets (a house, a car, any savings etc.) or any financial responsibilities should have a Will.
If you do not have a valid will, the NZ government distributes your estate through a legislated formula that may not always reflect your personal wishes. It may take up to 24 months from the person’s death to the closing of the estate, or longer if next of kin cannot be confirmed or located.
Making a Will now will give you the peace of mind of knowing your affairs are in order and your next of kin will not be left with added stress at a time when they might already be experiencing much grief.
We know that planning for the future is important to you. It is important to us also. That is why we are taking this opportunity to share this information with you. We believe that having funds secured for the future will help us make long term plans that could change the shape of the church in the needy places where ECMNZ missionaries are working.
Writing a Will
Using a solicitor is by far the safest way of getting it right. Solicitors are bound by law to put their clients’ interests first.
Your Will should name an executor or executors. They are the people who will be responsible for seeing that your instructions are carried out as specified in your Will.
Your Will should provide for payment of your liabilities such as mortgages, overdrafts, and debts, and your funeral expenses.
Your Will should make provision for your spouse and any dependents (as well as naming a guardian(s) for your children if they are still young).
