MEMPHIS — The Church Of God In Christ, Inc. (COGIC), the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, today announced a multi-year partnership with Thrivent, a Fortune 500 financial services company that puts generosity at the heart of saving and investing. Building on years of collaboration, the new partnership brings together Thrivent’s purpose‑based advice and generosity with COGIC’s national church network.
Through this partnership, Thrivent will provide a virtual, faith-based financial education curriculum to COGIC members and provide charitable giving support, including matched giving and a future endowment, to strengthen stewardship across the denomination.
“At the Church Of God In Christ, we believe spiritual, physical and financial wholeness is the inheritance of every believer,” said Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Church Of God In Christ. “Financial education and economic empowerment have been missing chapters in the story of too many of our families and congregations, so this partnership is a decisive and meaningful step toward changing that narrative. Alongside Thrivent, we will equip our 12,000-plus churches and our adherents with the knowledge, tools, and resources to make informed financial decisions today and for generations to come.”
“This partnership reflects Thrivent’s longstanding belief that everyone deserves a financial plan and is a meaningful example of why Thrivent exists – to empower lives of service and faith,” said Thrivent’s Chief Growth and Generosity Officer Carolyn Sakstrup. “COGIC shares our commitment to purpose, faith, stewardship and service to others. By elevating our work together, Thrivent can deliver financial education and resources through a trusted, nationwide church network with deep community roots. Together, we will help church leaders and families plan stronger financial futures for generations.”
A collaboration built on shared values
The partnership is designed to make financial well‑being as integral to church life as worship, service and fellowship, and includes:
• Thrivent will offer COGIC leaders a co-created virtual, faith-based financial education curriculum that will focus on the importance of stewardship and personal retirement planning. It also will tackle financial topics such as debt, saving and spending to help build a financial foundation that helps participants invest for the future and leaves a legacy. Church leaders will see the curriculum first before it expands to congregants in 2027.
• Thrivent will share financial education and purpose-based advice at COGIC conferences from the mainstage, through workshops and within one-on-one consultations.
• Thrivent will support COGIC’s charitable efforts and match the denomination’s donations up to $65,000 annually. Additionally, Thrivent will work with COGIC to create a future endowment fund to amplify generosity.
Removing barriers to financial well-being
COGIC recognizes the profound responsibility it holds to equip its members with the knowledge necessary to make informed, forward-looking financial decisions, especially for those who have historically faced systemic barriers to financial access and advancement. Through this partnership, Thrivent’s offerings of purpose-based advice, investments, insurance, and generosity programs will be provided to COGIC’s vast network of pastors, clergy, church administrators, and lay members. It will bring expanded access to financial education resources across communities that stand to benefit from them most.
