Supporting the Cogdells

What Is Needed

In the fall of 2022, Thomas transitioned from full-time employment + part-time ministry, to full-time ministry + part-time contract employment. Since then, we have had three sources of income:

  1. Wages from part-time work

  2. Sales of books and other creative endeavors*

  3. Support from individuals, churches, businesses, and other ministries and communities

Our goal for income source #3 is to raise $5,000 / month in support through sustaining monthly gifts along with occasional one-time gifts.

We are so thankful for our supporters! In the wonderful economy of God’s kingdom, you have a share in any fruitfulness that comes through our efforts. May the Father reward you as only He can!

* Note that we consider income source #2 (books, games, etc.) to be a long-term investment; currently it costs us more money than it generates in sales.

How to Give

There are two ways to support Amy & Thomas. Thank you 🙏 !

Give (online or by mail) through Christ the Reconciler

Christ the Reconciler is a 501(c)3 non-profit ministry dedicated to reconciliation and unity in the body of Christ. A special account has been set up to help cover recurring daily expenses (food, gas, insurance, etc.). Direct your gift to “Account #1721” by fund or memo on a check.

Give (online or by mail) through Antioch Network

Antioch Network is an established missions agency supporting workers around the world. A special account has been established to make the ministry of the Cogdells sustainable in the long-term. This money is targeted to travel for ministry, local ministry expenses, and sporadic large family expenses (car repairs, education bills, vacations, etc.). Direct your gift to “Cogdell Sustainability Fund” by fund or memo on a check.

Subscribe to Amy & Thomas’ Newsletter

Would you like to stay informed about the Cogdells’ life and ministry?

Amy & Thomas are committed to:

Integrity

Since 2001, Amy & Thomas have invested thousands of pro-bono hours into Austin House of Prayer, Wittenberg 2017, Christ the Reconciler, and Cielo / Day & Night Waters.

Through these two decades, God has provided for their needs through “tentmaking,” as Thomas has worked in the private sector for Athens Group. His full-time employment with Athens Group ended on Nov 30, 2022 - the 24th anniversary of his hire date. After seeking the Lord together and gathering counsel from pastors and trusted mentors, the Cogdells determined that this job loss represented God’s invitation to devote more time to the ministry of reconciliation.

The money provided by God through Thomas’ job with Athens Group has also enabled them to take the lead on financial contributions to these works of God. They have directly contributed almost $200K to AHOP/CTR. They funded the startup of Cielo through friendly loans that are still on the books, while refusing any ownership to avoid a conflict of interest.

The year 2023 was the first time they received any sort of salary or compensation from these organizations.

If you are interested in learning more details about this history, contact Felipe Adams, treasurer of CTR and co-founder of Cielo.

Sustainability

Amy & Thomas want to be giving their lives to God 20 years from now … not just next month. How to do this?

Diversify Sources of Income

While monthly financial support is an important component of sustainability, Amy and & Thomas are also developing additional streams of income. The first one, which is already bringing in income, is tent making - Thomas has part-time contract work in the private sector, as well as part-time employment at Cielo.

A second, more long-term, stream of potential income is books and other creative endeavors. In addition to their currently published books Unity Through Repentance (by Thomas) and In the Bosom of Abraham (by Amy), Amy is working on another book for publishing in 2024 (Runaway Bay). Thomas is also working on a game, currently called ShouldaBeen.

Save Money for “Retirement”

Not that Thomas & Amy ever plan to retire to a golf course … they hope to give their life to Christ’s kingdom until the end. But even doing that requires some sort of pension once Thomas’ income-earning years are over. The Cogdells had a multi-year investment that they had hoped would fund their later years, but it didn’t pay off as expected. So they are saving starting in late 2022, making maximum contributions to their IRA and consulting financial advisors to develop other savings / investment vehicles.

Continue Developing Community

The development of intentional community at the Christ the Reconciler in Elgin is a third important aspect of sustainability. Living in community allows Christians to share together the burdens of life, rather than each facing them alone.

If you would like to talk to their financial advisor about how they are creating sustainability, contact Amy & Thomas so that they can make that connection.

Transparency

It is important that Amy & Thomas “walk in the light, as He is in the light.” This works itself out practically in two areas.

How They Spend Their Income

The Cogdells have a specific, categorized budget. Their expected “daily bread” expenses (food, insurance, cell phone, recreation, etc.) come to $4,200 / month on average. Of course, there are also sporadic large expenses that are unavoidable, like car repairs, large health bills, tuition for their daughter’s education, and the like. These come to $3,450 / month on average.

Anything above and beyond these two categories of expenses will be put in savings, to increase long-term sustainability.

The Cogdells are debt-free, have life insurance, and use Accenture for their health insurance.

How They Spend Their Time

In addition to tracking their expenses, the Cogdells also track their time. Thomas has long been in the habit of tracking his time down to the half-hour, because this was required by Athens Group. He has since transferred this discipline to this new season of life.

Tracking time enables transparent reporting on time. For example: Thomas and Amy have together worked over 100 hours / week and spent over 70% of their time focused on the ministry of reconciliation, since leaving full-time employment with Athens Group.

If you would like to view the details of their expenses vs. budget, or their time tracking, just contact us. We would be happy to respond to this type of request!

Accountability

Thomas and Amy believe strongly in the New Testament model of team leadership, with mutual submission. This gives them accountability from a number of perspectives.

Their Faith Communities

Amy is a committed Catholic, and is submitted to her priest and the leadership of the Catholic Church. Thomas and Amy also attend Hope Chapel, and have good relationships with the pastoral staff and elders there. Hope Chapel has invited Thomas and Amy to give sermons multiple times in recent years.

Christ the Reconciler (CTR)

Two different leadership structures provide accountability within CTR. The first is the spiritual leadership team, which is composed of Amy & Thomas along with Phillip & Caroline Owens. The second is the Board of Directors, which carries the fiscal responsibility for the organization and sets their salary. Amy & Thomas are both members of the board, along with four others, and they are careful to follow the corporate Conflict of Interest Policy (e.g. recusing themselves from voting on their own salary).

Antioch Network

Thomas and Amy are also members of the leadership council of Antioch Network. Currently they are serving a rotation as co-chairs. Their life and ministry is well-known through the deep relationships they have developed with the other members of the council. They consider George & Hanna Miley to be important mentors and have a monthly Zoom call with them.

North American Network / IPECC

Christ the Reconciler has joined the North American Network (NAN) of communities which is a member of the International Partnership of Ecumenical Charismatic Communities (IPECC). Thomas & Amy are in relationship with the leadership of both of these networks.

Day & Night Waters (DNW) / Cielo

Thomas serves as the Chairman of the Board for DNW. His salary for part-time work is set under the supervision of the full Board.

Please don’t hesitate to contact any of these boards / organizations / networks / individuals to inquire about their relationship with the Cogdells. Reach out to them directly, or contact Amy & Thomas if you need email addresses etc. for this purpose.

Quotes of Recommendation

Dan Davis
Founding Pastor of Hope Chapel, and Founder of Pastors in Covenant

“Thomas and Amy Cogdell have given themselves to the costly work of reconciliation. Theirs is a work of love that has crossed many boundaries of entrenched pain in the body of Christ. Theirs has been a journey that dares to peacefully question the value of adversity between various ethnic groups, and more, between Catholic and Protestant. Their journey has not compromised on the hard-held doctrinal differences between the various groups, but seeks to simply celebrate the unity that Jesus prays for in John 17.”

Fr. René Constanza C.S.P.
President, Paulist Fathers

“Theologian Yves Congar once said, "the way through the door of unity is on our knees." The quintessential passion of prayer and discipleship have pervaded all my interactions with both Thomas and Amy Cogdell, whom I feel fortunate to call friends. Amy was one of my parishioners at St. Austin Catholic parish; and Thomas and I were partners at the annual Lausanne Catholic-Evangelical dialogue in Chicago. Through prayer, fellowship and respectful dialogue we continue striving to respond to the prayer of our Lord Jesus that ‘they may all be one.’ (John 17:21) I look forward to seeing the beauty and scope of the Holy Spirit's work and their humble yet firm response in making Christ visible through this holy retreat grounds in Central Texas.”

Dr. Rich Carney
Former Executive Director, ABBA
(Austin Bridge-Builder's Association)

“Thomas Cogdell is the real deal, a genuine man of peace. When you first meet him you sense a great spiritual reservoir of grace and dignity. This is combined by an all insatiable determination to see and experience the reconciliation of the Body of Christ. He is Protestant and his wife is Catholic. Their devotion and love for Christ’s Body is both compelling and joyous. Restoration is the work of the heart and it is with heart that we will experience the reconciliation of the Body of Christ. I highly commend Thomas and Christ the Reconciler to you.”

— John Dawson
President Emeritus of YWAM (Youth With A Mission)
Founder of the International Reconciliation Coalition (IRC)
Ambassador for YWAM Medical Ships Australia