Sunday, April 6 will mark a Unified Message Day, bringing together local pastors throughout the St. Louis community to raise their collective voices from their pulpits, urging families to work toward a healthier financial lifestyle. This effort is all a part of “Money Smart Week,” April 5 through April 12.
Money Smart Week was developed as part of the Bank-On Save-Up initiative, along with the partnership of the St. Louis Regional Unbanked Task Force. This third annual event will stress the importance of financial literacy, inform consumers about where they can get help, and provide free educational seminars and activities. Local financial institutions will offer valuable tools and solutions to help families learn how to budget, save, plan for their future and become financially fit.
“It is time to be proactive in turning our financial woes into financial success,” said Veta Jeffery, St. Louis Regional Unbanked Task Force Steering Committee member and co-chair of the Faith-Based Initiative.
“We understand that it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to sustain a community and keep it moving upward.”
A breakfast was held on March 13 at the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation building, with 30 pastors and bank representatives in attendance. Jeffery said the clergy breakfast “was the first of several steps to developing solutions to address the mindset and habits of the impoverished as well as the working poor.”
When families lose or reduce their primary or only source of income, the stress of trying to meet the financials needs of the household often takes a serious toll in the form of mental health problems, divorce and more.
“An individual’s self-confidence and inner security is often compromised because of financial insecurity,” said Doug Petty, senior pastor of Fresh Start Bible Church and a Christian counselor.
“Substance abuse, gambling, the use of pawn shops and payday loans increase dramatically as a result. Those in the role of pastor must see this as a biblical mandate because it impacts the whole person.”
Participating churches preaching the Unified Message on family finances on April 6 include: Trinity Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Word of Life Christian Church, The Antioch Baptist Church, Central Baptist Church, Ramoth City of Refuge C.O.G.I.C, Fresh Start Bible Church, Star
Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Third Presbyterian Church, Inspiring You Christian Church, Christ The King United Church of Christ, Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, Refuge & Restoration Church, Solomon’s Temple Church and Rescued Church.
For more information, visit MoneySmartWeek.org.
