Egiving.com, a division of Egiving Systems, has been providing a much-needed ministry to ministries through electronic giving strategies. Providing both recurring and online giving services, along with professional consultation and coaching support since 2000, Egiving.com has become a one-stop online locale for giving expertise. George and Louise Eusterman have been helping both churches and para-church organizations with this valuable service at ministry-friendly rates unavailable through banks and other businesses. A brief overview of the Eustermans’ background will help you see how God has equipped them with the experience and passion that enables them to serve Him in this unique way.
George and Louise Eusterman began their journey of faith in the 1980s, around the same time they began experimenting with EFT (electronic funds transfer) payment options for dues at their health club in Mount Vernon, Washington. The Eustermans were pioneers in using this type of funding within the health club arena, and their attempts were met with the desired—but seemingly far-fetched—results: 100% conversion to EFT payments. After switching from the antiquated funding model of chasing down health club members in order to collect monthly dues, Riverside Health Club began enjoying monumental growth. After 15 years of successfully implementing this method of payment collections, George and Louise retired from the health club industry in 2000.
As the Eustermans’ business was growing, so was their burden for greater biblical stewardship and missions funding. They learned that many believers faltered in their faithfulness. Their frustration over this issue met a turning point in 1995, when a friend returned from the mission field mid-term due to losing half of his pledged funding. This event startled the Eustermans into putting action to their burden and developing a model for electronic recurring giving for the good of Christian ministries.
A few underlying facts that make recurring regular giving options necessary include the financial situation of most Americans, as well as the reason for much of the unfaithfulness in giving. Around 80% of Americans live at income levels and monthly budgets that prohibit them from being able to make significant gifts. However, by giving on a monthly basis, the significance of their gifts can truly make an impact. Unfaithful givers often aren’t due to purposely negligent givers, but simply forgetful ones. Often, like those joining a health club, givers have the best intentions, but myriad other priorities intervene, causing broken commitments, a suffering relationship, and—by extension—funding to the ministry at hand. Based on this principle, Egiving.com has seen a 95% retention of givers over a 5-year period, making these stewards’ gifts able to effectively fund the cause of Christ.
The Eustermans are using their business savvy and God-given retirement years to help alleviate some of the issues faced by ministries’ lacking funding. Always quick to give the Lord the credit as the true giver of the increase, the Eustermans are delighted that the tools they have developed have played a part in funding numerous missions, pregnancy centers, churches, and other Christian organizations throughout the U.S. for the past decade. They look forward to seeing how God will continue to use Egiving.com in the years to come.
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