The C4SO Forward Fund, led by Bishop Emeritus Todd Hunter, has now surpassed $1 million in total commitments, with every church in the diocese contributing to the campaign. Bishop Todd spearheaded the historic diocesan capital campaign during his last six months as Bishop to ensure that the next generation of leadership has ongoing resources for C4SO’s three core mission priorities: church planting, leadership development, and clergy care. In addition to extending personal invitations to all C4SO congregations, Bishop Todd asked key donors to participate in the Forward Fund, which concluded on Pentecost Sunday, May 24.
This milestone effort represents the first time C4SO has undertaken a coordinated diocesan fundraising effort of this scale. While regular diocesan giving supports ongoing operations and ministry, the Forward Fund will advance new infrastructure for mission priorities that will bear fruit for decades to come.
“Bishop Jeff and I share a common vision, and it has been my delight to ensure that C4SO is well capitalized for the priorities he will execute in this next season,” Bishop Todd says. “Our goal is to cultivate churches that are sources of God’s kingdom goodness in cities across America, led by pastors and leaders shaped by deep spiritual formation.”
Bishop Jeff expressed gratitude for how the funds will impact C4SO’s future.
“This kind of whole-diocese participation doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects something real about who we are: A people bound together by a common mission, not just a common structure. Bishop Todd has handed us extraordinary fuel for the road ahead, and we will not only steward these resources, we will build on them, to carry C4SO’s mission forward for this next generation.”
The Rev. Matt Brown, C4SO’s Chief Financial Officer, affirms the significance from a stewardship perspective.
“A million dollars in the Forward Fund sends the diocese running into this next season of church planting, leadership development and clergy care. For the momentum that it gives us, and the generosity it represents, we are deeply thankful.”
With the $1 million goal now surpassed, the diocese is ready to take tangible, Spirit-led action in each of its three mission priorities:
1. Church Planting
C4SO aims to plant new churches in strategic locations across North America over the next several years. Our church multiplication team will award grants on a case-by-case basis, investing in fruitful opportunities. These funds will help support launch costs and coaching for new Anglican communities, to reach the growing number of Americans disconnected from the Church.
2. Leadership Development
Funds will be used to identify, recruit, train, deploy and nurture rising leaders. This will include grants for residencies and curacies at C4SO churches; theological and pastoral training; and coaching/mentoring that develops diverse, Spirit-filled leaders who are theologically grounded, evangelistically oriented and pastorally resilient
3. Clergy Care
Funds will be invested in wellness resources aimed at promoting long-term health and fruitfulness. The goal is to prevent burnout and facilitate clergy flourishing.
“Through all these efforts, I long to see tens of thousands of people encountering Jesus through new, mission-minded churches led by emerging leaders steeped in Scripture and cultural discernment,” Bishop Jeff says. “I hope to see communities transformed by churches that are instruments of kingdom renewal in their neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and families, demonstrating the holistic, healing power of Christ.”
Over the last 15 years, C4SO has grown from a small band of congregations into the largest and fastest-growing diocese in the ACNA. The whole diocese—with more than 13,000 constituents spanning missional communities, established congregations and church plants across the country—will benefit from the Forward Fund, either directly or indirectly. A strong financial foundation undergirds congregational health and kingdom growth at every level, and positions the diocese to continue its ongoing mission in North America.
Join us in thanking God for our churches’ incredible generosity and Bishop Todd’s hard work! Pray that the funds will bear much fruit in the years to come.