Our Vision

We envision thriving Moravian ministries that glorify God.

Our Mission

We help individuals, churches, and agencies grow and sustain the ministries that are central to our Moravian faith.

Our Values

  • Trust: honesty, integrity, and transparency in everything we do.
  • Christian Service: commitment to practices that share God’s love with others.
  • Impact: dedication to delivering meaningful results.
  • Stewardship: developing, managing, and sharing gifts of time, talent, treasure and testimony.
  • Partnership: leveraging talents and building relationships while connecting tools and resources.
Candid (formerly GuideStar and Foundation Center) has designated your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America as Platinum Transparency. You can support our work with trust and confidence.

Moravian Ministries Foundation History

Before 1997 the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in North America operated two independent planned giving programs. The Rev. Gene Glasser led the Northern Province’s effort and Dick Gillett led the Southern Province’s program.

25-year anniversary logo Moravian Ministries FoundationIn 1998 the Synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces authorized the formation of the Moravian Ministries Foundation, which replaced the two planned giving programs. The decision to create the Foundation was rooted in the beliefs that it would result in:

  • A wiser use of both Provinces’ resources, and
  • A more effective voice to speak to Moravians about planned giving and other services that would foster personal and institutional (churches and ministries) stewardship.

Your Impact

As of December 31, 2022 Moravians have $176,936,310 under investment through MMFA. These assets represent your collective endowments, trusts, scholarship funds, donor advised funds, gift annuities, pensions, and various other investment accounts — all invested for the glory and advancement of the kingdom of our Chief Elder, Jesus Christ.

Pie chart showing how distributed funds were allocated.

MMFA oversaw $12,102,997 in distributions for 2022, represented by the pie chart at right.

MMFA-controlled funds distributed $1,189,374 in 2022. This included the following field of interest fund distributions:

  • Hunger & Thirst, $529,945
  • Healing & Health, $6,100
  • Housing & Shelter, $6,000
  • Prison Ministry, $4,000
  • Racial Awareness, Equity & Reconciliation, $4,000
  • Environmental Stewardship, $2,500
  • Clothing, $1,950

Click here to view the full Impact Statement.

Our strategic focus through 2026

  • Promoting our identity to strengthen our base
  • Providing programs to enhance Moravian ministries
  • Equipping constituents to invest in and with MMFA

Administrative Staff

Who we are: Chris Spaugh

Chris Spaugh, President

Chris joined the Moravian Ministries Foundation on June 1, 2017. A lifelong resident of North Carolina, Chris spent 22 years in increasing positions of responsibility at Wells Fargo Bank NA, and its predecessor, Wachovia Bank. He is a passionate leader of relationship-driven philanthropy in the areas of charitable giving and financial solutions. Chris has vast experience with visionary leadership, staff management, nonprofit governance, financial management/oversight, client service, partnership-building and strategic planning.

When Chris is away from the office he enjoys spending time with his wife Kelli and their four children on their small, family farm.  Chris also volunteers his time with his church and Boy Scouts of America in multiple areas.

Who we are: Laura Watson

Laura Watson, Vice President/Director of Programs

Laura joined the Foundation in April of 2012. A native of Winston-Salem and member of Home Moravian Church, she has worked in the Florida school system, at Salem College, and as Assistant Director of Laurel Ridge, the Southern Province’s camp and conference center.

When she’s not busy with stewardship for the Foundation, Laura enjoys running and fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), as well as traveling with her husband, Mark. She has served on the Salem Academy and College Board of Trustees, the Salem Academy Alumnae Board, and the Triad JDRF Board of Directors.

Valerie Davis Kiger, CPA, Director of Finance, Moravian Ministries Foundation in America

Valerie Davis Kiger, CPA, Director of Finance

Valerie joined our team in January 2022. She’s responsible for MMFA’s financial and operational effectiveness, leading strategic and work planning processes, and directly managing finance, administration, investments, and information technology.

Valerie has more than 20 years’ experience in audit, tax, and financial management within the contexts of manufacturing, non-profit, government, construction, and healthcare. She was most recently an Audit Partner with Cannon & Company, LLP. She also previously served as the Controller for Davie Construction Co. and Tax Manager at Bernard Robinson & Co., LLP.

Valerie holds a Master of Science degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Catawba College. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, and two daughters, Emma and Noelle.

Moravian Ministries Foundation in America Libby Davis having fun

Libby Davis, Administrative Accountant

North Carolina native Libby Pike Davis joined the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America in August 2020 as Administrative Accountant. She’s a lifelong, ninth-generation Moravian from the oldest congregation in the Southern Province, Bethabara Moravian Church. She has been Treasurer for Bethabara since June 2010. When she is not working for the Foundation or her congregation, Libby is also Senior Tax Analyst at H & R Block in Clemmons, NC.

Libby studied accounting at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem. She has a son, Ryan, who lives in Gastonia, NC with his wife, Jaime and six children; a daughter, Sara, who lives in Durham, NC with her husband, Ashton. Libby and her husband, Chip live in Winston-Salem, NC and enjoy spending time with family and working in their vegetable garden.

Hanna - Greenway.v2

Hanna Jackson, Communications and Marketing Specialist

Hanna Jackson joined MMFA in September 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience within the Moravian Church community. Prior to her role at MMFA, Hanna served as the Communications and Special Projects Manager for the Board of Cooperative Ministries in the Southern Province from 2017 to 2021. Additionally, Hanna is an enthusiastic and active member of Calvary Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, a place of worship that has been a cherished part of her family’s tradition for many generations.

Hanna is an alumna of Appalachian State University and boasts over a decade of successful experience in the fields of communication and marketing. Her most recent position was as the Marketing and Communications Specialist at Commercial Realty Advisors, a prominent commercial real estate and development company based in Winston-Salem.

Outside of her professional life, Hanna is a devoted mother to her two young children, Ford and Norah, alongside her husband, David. She dedicates her time to serving on various boards at Calvary Moravian Church and her children’s preschool, Messiah Moravian. In those rare moments of free time, Hanna indulges her passions for baking, crafting, and taking on DIY projects around her home.

Board of Trustees - 2023

MMFA Board of Trustees

Trustees

Brenda Genemans
Thurmont, Maryland
Congregation: Graceham

Keith Gohdes
Davenport, North Dakota
Congregation: Canaan (PEC Northern Province)

Lou Jackson
Clemmons, North Carolina
Congregation: New Philadelphia

Larry Johnson, Treasurer
Staten Island, New York
Congregation: Castleton Hill

Keith Kapp, Esq.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Congregation: Raleigh (PEC Southern Province)

William W. Matz, Jr., Esq.,
Vice Chair
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Congregation: East Hills

Cindy Miller
Lake Mills, WI
Congregation: Lake Mills

Justin Peart
Parkland, Florida
Congregation: Prince of Peace

Gail Theard, Secretary
Mt. Airy, NC
Congregation: Grace

The Rev. Virginia Tobiassen
Winston-Salem, NC
Congregation: Home

Bruce Shoger
Lake Auburn, MN
Congregation: Lake Auburn

Brent Waddell, Chair
Lexington, NC
Congregation: Friedberg

Staff

Christopher W. Spaugh, President
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Investment & Finance Committee

Larry Johnson
MMFA Board

Brenda Genemans
MMFA Board

Cindy Miller
MMFA Board

Bruce Shoger
MMFA Board

Robyn Glance & Brenda Cahill
Ex-Officio Members

Governance Committee

William W. Matz, Jr., Esq.
MMFA Board

The Rev. Virginia Tobiassen
MMFA Board

Keith Kapp, Esq.
MMFA Board

Keith Gohdes
MMFA Board

Justin Peart
MMFA Board

Lou Jackson
MMFA Board

Executive Committee

Brent Waddell
Chair

William W. Matz, Jr., Esq.
Vice Chair

Gail Theard
Secretary

Larry Johnson
Treasurer

Grant Advisory Committee

Caroline Averitt

Jane Gehler

Bill Matz

John Mickey

Emily Rector

Zach Routh

Chris Spaugh

Pam Streich

David Whittle