Dr. O.S. Hawkins, author of The Believer’s Code: 365 Devotions to Unlock the Blessings of God’s Word, spoke with Todd Starnes on Wednesday about how the proceeds from his new book aids pastors and their families in financial need.
Hawkins has authored several devotionals and other books dedicated to helping Christians strengthen their faith and stay in the word of God. More than a million copies of his Code books have been sold.
Hawkins, who is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, explained that proceeds and royalties from The Believer’s Code goes to Mission:Dignity, an organization dedicated to helping pastors, their wives, and their widows during times of financial hardship.
“Here at GuideStone we are on a mission to bring dignity to some forgotten folks,” Hawkins said, noting that about sixty-percent of the recipients of aid from the program are widows of pastors and the average recipient is eighty-five years old.
The recipients have served God faithfully throughout their lives and struggle to make ends meet once they have retired.
“Sometimes we forget that they have needs too,” Starnes said. Hawkins added that Mission: Dignity seeks out former pastors or their widows during times of hardship because they themselves are “so good and godly that they will never ask anybody for anything.”
Ten years ago, recipients of the program received $50 a month. Now, Hawkins says the neediest of the recipients receive $600 a month to pay bills and buy groceries. Hawkins said the program raises about $8 million a year for its recipients.
Hawkins noted that purchasers of the book can take comfort in knowing that “every single penny” from the Code series goes to support pastors and their widows in their final years.