Saturday, October 16, 2004
ONE PERSON CAME
10-16-04
On Friday night one person came to the first Friday Community Gathering.
We did not know how many to expect. But one was a shock.
There was enough wonderful food for 40 guests.
The church members prayed and grieved with me.
Like I said before the Fall Festival was on campus that same time. For one week I had put out more than 100 flyers and told many in person. A few said they had other prior commitments and may come another Friday. I learned that many married couples use Fridays as date night. I rejoice in that news.
Upon prayer and reflection here is my best thinking now.
This was a learning experience.
By the grace of God today know a wonderful group of loving Christian very near the campus.
The needs of the students have not changed. At the end of the week they are very tired from all their studies. They can still use regular opportunities for food, fellowship and testimonies. These activities plus prayer will lead to a greater sense of community.
I am back to the FOCUS. I cannot do many things well. SO I shall put this on the back burner until next year. Instead I shall put on the blinders and go after the seed capital with ALL my might until New Years Eve. Those funds will lead to the web platform. From the web I can better promote and follow up on the Friday Community Gatherings.
I am not abandoning the idea. I believe rationally that the concept is still valid. And I believe spiritually that God has been leading me to provide this service for several years. But I need not have too many irons in the fire at this time.
I will admit that my emotions have been down. I felt very hurt. I did feel discouraged and depressed.
I am reminded of the saying that God uses greatly whom He first wounds deeply. I embrace this as yet another wound. I know that it is my destiny to be used greatly. I have been avoiding that most of my life.
Afterward at home I saw the DVD of the novel Jane Eyre. It was good to ride that emotional roller coaster just then. Normally nature videos are the best tonic for me. But there are times that the classics of literature are just right.
I refuse to get angry at God or people. I shall walk in the light that Jesus has shed on my path. Sad feelings can come and go. That is okay. Jesus is Lord of ALL. My Redeemer LIVES. Amen?
John 9:26 AM
Friday, October 15, 2004
BIG PUSH
10-15-04
There has been significant progress on the Weekly Game Plan.
Thanks to God for answering prayers.
There are links at the end of this message to some of those fruits.
And this weekend there will be important progress on the remaining items.
After much prayer, reflection and discussion with the directors there is a new target for your prayers and my actions. From NOW until the end of the year December 31,2004 there is a BIG PUSH to raise the seed capital needed to give this ministry a strong start.
Like I have stated many times the number that God gave me years ago was 40 thousand dollars. Those funds go into four areas equally at 10K each – Consultants, Web Development, Hardware & Software and Initial salaries.
Consultants
The business consultants will take the zillions of pages of notes from the many possible ministry plans over the last 20 years. They will ask me tough questions. Together we will craft a Strategic Plan for the long-term roll out with emphasis on the short term projects. Their work will also include short sweet and simple ways to communicate the vision for the emerging ministry to others. There will be a short and long version of a business plan that we will use as a working document. It will also appeal to prospective donors who are business owners.
Web Development
In order to fulfill the complex mission of the emerging ministry then there must be a professionally designed web site. Part of the output from the consultants becomes input for the web designers. The core of the web site will be able to easily add dozens of speakers each week. The new testimonies, interviews, teachings and sermons are stored and woven into Internet radio broadcasts. We will likely use the largest vendor for that www.live365.com The listeners can hear it for free streaming or pay for a download or CD. We may also piggy back with other vendors like www.christianity.com and www.sermonaudio.com The speakers that are preparing for the ministry will have the option to have a profile web site that will attract a growing support base of intercessors, advisors and donors. This will require segmenting the various email newsletters according to how the various people choose to opt into them. Vendors that emphasize that include www.convio.com and www.constantcontact.com
Hardware & Software
Along the way the consultants and web developers will be recommending all sorts of hardware and software. The initial 10K will provide a strong start. During the coming months other equipment and software will be added as needed.
Initial salaries.
The ministry is designed to pay for its own costs of operation after it gets going. You could not expect a new bookstore or restaurant to pay all of its payroll from the sales during the early phase. The income streams that the consultants and web developers will be working with from the start include: donations, sale of products like downloads and audio CDs, Memberships and advertisements.
DEADLINE
The end of the year is a build in dead line to receive tax deductions for 2004. Studies have shown that by far December is the biggest month for charitable contributions for most nonprofits. There are wealthy donors that wait until the end of the year to see how their investments have done before writing large checks. I seek to be under consideration for many of those. Like my accountability partner said it would be best to have that out before Thanksgiving when the flood of other appeals come.
I know from various fund raising seminars taken over the years that those who write the largest checks want to have personal contact with the leader of the nonprofit. They want the presentation to the short and emotionally based. I am moving toward that this weekend.
SUMMARY
Last night I was on a conference call with more than 20 Christians for al over the globe. WE were dealing with Bruce Wilkinson’s book Dream Giver. It is helpful to hear from others that are moving outside of their comfort zone toward their God given dream. The challenge had been to state your dream in just a few words. Last night I shared the following statement. Making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ online and equipping them to make disciples offline. That was okay and much closer that the previous rambling paragraphs.
Then this morning God have me this Building communication bridges for connecting Christian workers with their harvest fields and support partners. That is much more specific and resonates with me. I will be using that concept with the core diagrams this weekend to get ready for face-to-face presentations.
TONIGHT
Tonight for 6 to 8 is the first Friday Community Gathering at Haziel Cathedral 1213 N Washington. Please pray for God to draw the right people. May we come together in the name of Jesus and love one another. May the recordings go well. Surely the food will be wonderful.
PROGRESS REPORT
Graphics for goals
http://ears2hear.homestead.com/Launch_Team.html
New Wish list blog
http://earstohearwishlist.blogspot.com/
John 10:46 AM
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
TUESDAY BRIEFING from John S. Oliver on October 12, 2004 BLESSINGS | ALL glory to God in Jesus Name! May you BELIEVE when you pray. May you FORGIVE those who sinned against you. May God assure you of His intimate love for you. Amen?
| | COMPLETED | · THANK GOD the Internet radio station has begun http://www.live365.com/stations/truthinlove?play
| | CURRENT | · Just do it … FOCUS on the items on the Weekly Game Plan. · Especially line up the steps and MOVE toward effective fund raising ASAP. | | UPCOMING | · The FIRST Friday Community Gathering is THIS Friday at the Haziel Cathedral 1213 N Washington across the street from the seminary and near the Fina gas station. ALL students, graduates, staff, spouses and their friends are welcomed.
| | RESOURCES | wonderful Bible memory ministry www.scripturememory.com Jerry Lucus has resources to help with Bible memory http://doctormemory.com/html/bible_memory_courses.html many Bible translations online with audio versions of some http://beta.biblegateway.com/versions/ Pray for this new church plant called Church at the Village that is founded by a friend Gordon Blocker http://catvdallas.com/ I hope to have an interview with him online soon. | Here is an archive of previous Tuesday Briefings and updates between Tuesdays http://tuesdaybriefings.blogspot.com/ If you wish to unsubscribe then just let me know by reply email.
John 1:49 AM
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