Advancing Kingdom Causes For 75 Years

WatersEdge exists to financially empower donors and ministries to transform lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We accomplish this through:

• Smart charitable giving solutions that help multiply donors’ gifts
• Biblically grounded investment strategies that maximize charitable distributions
• Powerful financial services like loans, investments and accounting that provide churches with practical tools to facilitate growth

WatersEdge began in 1946 as The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. For 75 years we’ve remained faithful to our calling to strengthen ministries that advance God’s Kingdom. Each year, we help Christ-followers give millions of dollars to the charitable causes they believe in.

Today, WatersEdge manages over $550 million for hundreds of Southern Baptist churches, ministries, institutions and other like-minded organizations across the United States. How can we serve you?

Our Vision

To distribute $25 million to ministry annually by the year 2025.

What does the WatersEdge name mean?

Rooted in Scripture, the WatersEdge name was inspired by the many miraculous biblical events that occurred at or near the water’s edge, from Moses parting the Red Sea to Jesus’ calling his first disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in Luke 5. The latter most directly represents the hope that illuminates the WatersEdge name — lives so transformed by an encounter with Christ that they were willing to leave everything to follow Him. It is this kind of radical change that drives WatersEdge to financially empower donors and ministries to transform lives with the Gospel. Read Luke 5:1-11.

Our History

Timeline

1946 – The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma is founded by Oklahoma Baptists (BGCO) on Nov. 6.

1947 – R.A. Lemen donates the first endowed gift received by the Foundation, land in the Texas panhandle sold for $32,400. Today, the R.A. Lemen Trust for Missions is valued at more than $174,000 and has distributed more than $430,000 to the International Mission Board since inception.

c.1950 – Charitable estate planning begins with “Make Your Will Month” emphasis.

1954 – Church loan program begins with $20,000 loan to First Baptist Church of Dewey, Oklahoma.

1975 – Foundation distributes more than $1 million to ministry in a single year.

1984 – Assets under management grow to $51 million.

1992 – An $850,000 loan to Pleasant View Baptist Church in Derby, Kansas, marks the Foundation’s first loan outside Oklahoma.

1995 – Term Investment services offered to churches for the first time.

2015 – Digital estate planning is introduced, allowing individuals and families to complete the majority of the estate planning process online.

2020 – Assets under management approach $500 million. The Foundation rebrands to WatersEdge Advisors and WatersEdge Ministry Services.

Legal Info

WatersEdge Ministry Services is a trade name of The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, a not-for-profit corporation registered and operating under the laws of the State of Oklahoma.

The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

EIN: 73-0623038