A board-designated fund, the Gavel Fund was established in September 1997 with the mission of providing “technical training, logistical, pastoral and limited financial support for strategic peacemaking ventures around the world involving indigenous Baptist leadership.” Originally named the Gavel Memorial Peace Fund, the initial money came from the estate of Victor and Eileen Gavel. The board of directors decided to end this fund in 2003, when the assets of the fund were very reduced. In 2008, the BPFNA received a bequest specifying that half be put toward the work of the Gavel Memorial Peace Fund. We are currently working to rebuild this fund.