Kingdom-Minded Stewards: Chester & Betty Kitchen

Chester considers himself a native Louisvillian having moved here from Bowling Green when he was a baby. He graduated from DuPont Manual Training High School in 1945 and spent a big part of his work life at V. V. Cooke Chevrolet.

Each of these services are very well attended from believers and non-Christians in the community. I believe it is valuable lesson for church leaders to consider.

Betty grew up in Williamsburg, Kentucky, attending Williamsburg High School and Cumberland College. She moved to Louisville in 1955 to work for the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky (now Kentucky Baptist Convention). When the KBC moved its offices from downtown to Middletown she went to work for the federal government.

Chester has been a faithful and active member of Walnut Street Baptist Church (WSBC) since he was baptized there in 1938. Betty joined WSBC the first Sunday after she moved to Louisville in 1955 and has been actively involved ever since. Both have served in a variety of roles at WSBC.

When WSBC renewed its efforts to cultivate a culture of generosity and Kingdom-minded stewardship among its members, the Kitchens’ interest was piqued. They had begun to talk about using a trust in their plan and, after attending a half-day estate and financial planning conference at the church, wanted to learn more about ways to accomplish their estate and charitable giving objectives. The stewardship pastor suggested they talk to someone at the Kentucky Baptist Foundation (KBF).

The KBF worked with the Kitchens and their estate planning attorney to develop a plan to accomplish their goals of providing lifetime income for their children, and making a future charitable gift that will be an investment in Kingdom work through the ministry of WSBC.