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2008-the “Year of Love” for FHL International, Inc. and its Mission to our City

nativity3FHL International, Inc. has opened its heart to allow the Lord to work through us in lavishing Indianapolis with love throughout the 2008 year. Through the Mobile Food Pantry, Kindness Days, ESL, Alpha Classes and FHL International Inc.’s signature event-‘FHL Week’, thousands of individuals were served.

God is doing mighty things through FHL International, Inc. in spite of the current economic conditions. I think the Lord birthed Faith, Hope and Love, International, Inc. during the boom in 2005 as part of our preparation for the current recession.

As I was sharing a vision with one of our partners about using their facilities as a storehouse, someone mentioned how the Lord had used Joseph during the famine in Egypt. Please read Genesis Chapter 41 to see how God prepared Joseph to build store houses around Egypt. This has been the vision of FHL-not to build a conglomerate ministry but a network of centers to work together towards the common good for local areas and their needs. This is what I mean about “building communities of faith, hope, and love around the world.”

Please read Acts Chapter 2, also. The current economic condition is a wake-up call to our churches and ministries to bannerimagelgstart working more closely together (See our future article: 2009 is the ‘Year of Hope’.) With the addition of Cars Ministry and the employment of Bill Farrar as Missions Director, FHL is now poised to expand instead of shrink in these tough economic times, leveraging our god-given resources and talents in serving others rather than using them for self-preservation. Jesus said, to “seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and everything will be added unto you.”

We just need to be reminded of the second Greatest Commandment – love God and others, Mark 12:29-31, “30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[b] 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c]There is no commandment greater than these.”

I give glory to God who provided FHL International, Inc. so much. As you have read and heard on the news, countless food pantries are drying up but FHL International, Inc. is now receiving much more than any other time in its existence. God’s economy cannot be explained by human intellect and reasoning. This is the time to have more faith and to rely more on God’s provision rather than men’s wisdom and intellect. (Psalm 146:3)

christmas-boxSomeone said “You cannot out-give God” and it has resonated through FHL International, Inc. throughout the 2008 year. 2009 is the Year of Hope. As vessels of hope, you and I can be conduits of God’s grace and come along side Him in giving hope to our neighbors. As 2008 come to a close, it is not too late to bless others through your prayers and tax deductible contributions. When you consider your year-end giving, please keep FHL International, Inc. in mind.

Please send your contribution to:

FHL International, Inc.
8383 Craig St Ste. 335,
Indianapolis, IN 46250

On behalf of FHL International, Inc., its staff and volunteers, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

God bless,

Merlin Gonzales

President, FHL International, Inc.

Merlin Gonzales2008-the “Year of Love” for FHL International, Inc. and its Mission to our City
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Simple ABC’s of Ministry

Identify needs and identify resources. From the very start of the ministry that God had me started, the ministry had been focused on 2 items: Needs and Resources. So I contacted several pastors and community leaders and asked them to meet together to identify those 2 items in our community. We came up with less than a dozen projects, mobilized 7 churches and inspired 200+ volunteers to serve unconditionally. What turned out to be just a one-time ‘local mission’ became an international ministry within 3 years. The concept (which is not new) is now adopted as far as Cartagena, Colombia.

Join in with what God is doing (and with others who has the heart to transform our community).  Two quick stories….

Southport Presbyterian Church (SPC) was looking for additional projects for their youth. I hooked them up with Jerome Jorman to paint his newly purchased house to be used as ‘Group Home’ and with David Woodrupp to paint a house of an elderly near the urban area. The result: 2 houses were painted and several changed lives.

Northview Christian Life Church in Carmel was looking for additional projects to mobilize their congregation (see www.nvcl.org for more info on Life on Loan). I contacted the city of Indianapolis Neighborhood Liaison Office and shared with them the opportunity. They came up with projects, hooked them up with Northview. On the 18th & 19th, dozens of volunteers will be helping our city unconditionally.

Identification, connection and mobilization. Identify the needs and resources and connecting them through mobilization of the community. Simple ABC’s of Ministry…

Merlin GonzalesSimple ABC’s of Ministry
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