For Richard and Peggy Ziglar, Tulsa, OK, stewardship has never been a single decision. It has been a lifetime of learning from faithful people, giving generously, and supporting the ministries that have shaped their lives.
Richard’s relationship with Christmount Christian Assembly in Black Mountain, NC, began when he was a college student attending one of its first youth events. Worship was held in an old three-sided barn. Later came overnight stays in primitive cabins, directing CYF conferences, and eventually bringing Richard and Peggy’s own family to Christmount as they traveled between Texas and North Carolina.
Over the decades, Christmount became much more than a place they visited. After retiring from his pastoral role at First Christian Church, Tulsa, Richard became involved in Christmount’s leadership and continues to serve on its council today. The place has become such an integral part of their story that Richard and Peggy have chosen Christmount as their final resting place.
That lifelong relationship eventually led them to another question: How could they ensure that Christmount’s ministry would continue after them?
Through an endowment at the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation and their long-term charitable plans, Richard and Peggy are helping provide resources not only to preserve Christmount but also to make future ministry possible.
One example especially close to their hearts at Christmount is Camp Lakey Gap, which serves children and adults with autism. Peggy remembers a time when the program’s funding was threatened, and camp leadership simply said, “We’re not giving this up.” The ministry continued because people believed it mattered.
Today, Peggy says that reading letters from parents describing what the camp has meant to their children and even the opportunity it gives caregivers to step away from their responsibilities for a few days “brings tears to your eyes.”
Richard hopes ministries like Camp Lakey Gap will continue to grow, but he also hopes Christmount will be able to pursue new ministries “beyond our comprehension.”
Their understanding of stewardship began long before there were endowments or estate plans. Richard remembers his parents giving him money to put in the church offering. When he began earning his own money, giving became part of his practice. Over the years, Richard and Peggy have supported churches, theological education, scholarships, and other ministries that mattered to them.
They also remember the faithful people whose generosity made their own education possible and whose examples helped shape their approach to stewardship.
“We’ve had a lot of great people who were examples of good stewards,” Richard said, “and we tried to follow in their footsteps.”
Now they hope their children and grandchildren see that same example and, in Richard’s words, someday “do likewise”
Perhaps that’s what makes a legacy last. Someone’s faithfulness helped Richard and Peggy. Their faithfulness will help someone else. And someday, people they will never know may experience a ministry that exists because they cared enough to make its future possible.
Asked how he hopes his own life and legacy will be remembered, Richard returned to words that have guided his ministry:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
A lasting legacy doesn’t begin with an estate plan. It begins with deciding what matters enough to carry it forward.
Because building what’s next is easier when we build it together.