Experience in Ministry Finance
For over ten years, Denise Moore has served as the Executive Director of the Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation. Founded in Birmingham, Ala., in 1973, the IPC Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the Presbyterian Church’s ministries and missions through foundation endowments.
In 2023, the IPC Foundation awarded 98 grants of $2.1 million to organizations like the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project, HOPE International Rwanda, and Manna Ministries.
Outside of her charitable work, Denise has more than 20 years of professional experience as a CPA and financial consultant. Thus, she understands the importance of financial support for mission organizations, both locally and internationally.
A Dedicated Board Member
As if that weren’t enough, Denise has also served for several years on the Friends of Forman board of directors. This group of dedicated volunteers helps to oversee Friends of Forman’s leadership and raise support for our mission.
“What drew me to be involved is to help Christians get educated and have a better life,” said Denise. “The students in this school are the future of this country. They’re the leaders of the next generation.”
Visiting the FCCU Campus
In February 2024, Denise visited the Forman Christian College campus in Lahore, Pakistan. Although she was initially hesitant, the trip turned out to be transformational.
“I was nervous to come to Pakistan,” she admitted. “I had to pray about it, but I knew I had to experience it firsthand as a board member. I would encourage anyone who can visit to do so.”
The flight from Atlanta to Lahore took approximately 25 hours there and more than 28 hours back. The group had a layover at the Doha airport in Qatar, which includes an indoor botanical garden.
While on campus, Denise and the rest of their group worshiped in the chapel with over 200 FCCU students and faculty. They scheduled meetings with university deans and professors, as well as several Christian scholarship recipients.
“The people and their hospitality have been more than I’ve experienced anyone else,” she said. “The FCCU campus feels like a normal American university. It’s a remarkably safe environment. The students are engaged, smart, and excited to be here.”
Experiencing the Needs in Rural Pakistan
The trip wasn’t restricted only to the FCCU campus. Denise and the mission group ventured to a small village about an hour south of Lahore to meet with FCCU student Shafiq and his family.
Shafiq’s Christian family works in brick kilns in their village. There, they experience horrid working conditions for little pay. This work is akin to indentured servitude that never ends from generation to generation.
Shafiq’s only hope for escape from this poverty cycle is through education. His family would not be able to afford to send him to FCCU without financial support. Meeting this family and seeing their life firsthand only further demonstrated the importance of their work.
You don’t have to be a board member or visit Pakistan to support students like Shafiq. Donating or helping to spread the word of Friends of Forman is a proven way to make an impact.