ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
Page 18
August 2022
HOT OFF THE CHRISTIAN NEWS WIRE Mississippi before reaching Florida via the Southern Tier Route. James is a retired father and grandfather. He visits local restaurants, bike shops and campgrounds on his ride, as well as organizations fighting trafficking in their local jurisdictions. To donate and see his journey, visit www.bike4silentbridge.com or his Instagram page @ bike4silentbridge.
Win A Trip To The GMA Dove Awards Bike Ride From Washington State To Florida Keys Raises Awareness Of Sex Trafficking
Silent Bridge, a Washington-based nonprofit that fights sex trafficking, has a supporter who is biking more than 5,000 miles from Blaine, Washington on the Canadian border to the Florida Keys. The #Bike4SilentBridge ride is self-funded with a goal of spreading awareness of sex trafficking and to raise at least $50,000 for Silent Bridge. James (who only goes by his first name) has biked more than 1,500 miles. On day 25 of his ride, James crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and turned inbound. On day 32, he crossed the California-Nevada state line and went into Utah towards Colorado. His route will take him on the TransAmerica Trail through Kansas, Missouri and Illinois until he reaches the Underground Railroad Trail in Kentucky. From Kentucky, he’ll cut south through
CCM Magazine and UMC Global Ministries are giving away two free tickets for a lucky couple to fly to Nashville, Tennessee for the 53rd annual GMA Dove Awards on Tuesday, October 18. The Dove Awards honors outstanding achievements and excellence in Christian and gospel music. The couple will receive round trip airfare to Nashville, two nights hotel stay, two premium tickets to the GMA Dove Awards and a $200 gift card for ground transportation during the trip. The contest allows entering once each day through Monday, September 5 by completing bonus entry options. The 53rd annual GMA Dove Awards will take place at Allen Are-
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Lauren Daigle Announces Five Additional Performances For Fall Tour
Two-time Grammy Award winner and multiplatinum selling artist Lauren Daigle has announced five additional performances for this fall, adding to her previously announced two-night special engagement at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. The exclusive shows will feature Daigle’s extensive catalog of her award-winning Christian music. Of the five new dates announced, three are in Florida, including in St. Augustine on Wednesday, November 2 and Thursday, November 3 as well as in Hollywood on Friday, November 4. For other tour information and to purchase tickets, visit www. laurendaigle.com.
By Kelly Wise Valdes
“The message of the song, I feel, is able to speak to people no matter their age, their race, their background. It’s able to communicate a message of hope,” said Waites. Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and bound to a wheelchair, Waites offers hope through the message of Christ. Vergara cried, expressing how powerful the performance was. “I’m carrying a lot of weight on my shoulders over it, not in the sense of being overly nervous or caring about winning,” said Waites. “That stuff doesn’t matter to me. What I’m more concerned about is appropriately and effectively showing the Gospel of Christ through this opportunity.” For more information, visit www.benwaites.com.
Gospel Singer Leaves America’s Got Talent Judge In Tears Following Inspiring Performance
America’s Got Talent (AGT) judge Sofia Vergara was left with tears in her eyes following an inspiring performance on the talent competition show by 33-year-old Nashville, Tennessee-based gospel singer Ben Waites. During the July airing of AGT, Waites performed a rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” a song Waites — a Southern gospel singer and vocal coach — said is about hope.
FINANCIAL FOCUS
529 PLANS: UNDERUSED BUT VALUABLE In just a few weeks, students will be heading off to college – and parents will be getting out their checkbooks. Without a college-bound student in your home right now, you might not be thinking much about tuition and other higher education expenses, but if you have young children, these costs may eventually be of concern – so how should you prepare for them? It’s never too soon to start saving and investing. Unfortunately, many people think that they have a lot of “catching up” to do. In fact, nearly half of Americans say they don’t feel like they’re saving enough to cover future education expenses, according to a 2022 survey conducted by financial services firm Edward Jones with Morning Consult, a global research company. Of course, it’s not always easy to set aside money for college when you’re already dealing with the high cost of living, and, at the same time, trying to save and invest for retirement. Still, even if you can only devote relatively modest amounts for your children’s education, these contributions can add up over time. But where should you put your money? Personal savings accounts are the top vehicle Americans are using for their education funding strategies, according to the Edward Jones/Morning Consult survey. But there are other options, one of which is a 529 plan, which may offer more attractive features, including the following: • Possible tax benefits – If you invest in a 529 education savings plan, your earnings can grow federally income tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified education expenses. (Withdrawals not used for these expenses will generally incur taxes and penalties on investment earnings.) If you invest in
your own state’s 529 plan, you may receive state tax benefits, too, depending on the state. • Flexibility in naming the beneficiary – As the owner of the 529 plan, you can name anyone you want as the beneficiary. You can also change the beneficiary. If your eldest child foregoes college, you can name a younger sibling or another eligible relative. • Support for non-college programs – Even if your children don’t want to go to college, it doesn’t mean they’re uninterested in any type of postsecondary education or training. And a 529 plan can pay for qualified expenses at trade or vocational schools, including apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. • Payment of student loans – A 529 plan can help pay off federal or private student loans, within limits. Keep in mind that state-by-state tax treatment varies for different uses of 529 plans, so you’ll want to consult with your tax professional before putting a plan in place. Despite these and other benefits, 529 plans are greatly under-utilized. Only about 40% of Americans even recognize the 529 plan as an education savings tool, and only 13% are actually using it, again according to the Edward Jones/Morning Consult study. But as the cost of college and other postsecondary programs continues to rise, it will become even more important for parents to find effective ways to save for their children’s future education expenses. So, consider how a 529 plan can help you and your family. And the sooner you get started, the better.
edwardjones.com/adam-benabram
