All posts tagged: Merlin Gonzales

5 things schools don’t (normally) tell you about starting a non-profit

Till the land, plant the seeds and take care of it regualrly.

Till the land, plant the seeds and take care of it regularly.

Starting a new ministry or a charitable non-profit organization is very rewarding and yet very challenging.

You may be one of many people who can relate to this. First, a person or a group of passionate people comes up with an idea to solve a problem or to address an issue or to help those in need. Then, this person or this group of people started talking to others about their passion and start working on it. They are so enthusiastic that they were able to bring a few more people onboard.

Is this sound familiar? Your passion is contagious! You are helping a lot of people and are being recognized by the community.

I was there in the late 2004. I thought why not find a solution to the ever growing division in the churches. I thought I would be a conduit to the unity in the Body of Christ. Although I was not thinking of starting an organization, I found myself starting a non-profit organization through the encouragement of peers and those who benefit from the cause.

So, I was put in a strange place where I have not been before. I have never been a board member in the past and now, I have to put a board together, create By Laws, Statement of Faith and file Articles of Incorporation. However, I was convinced that my idea was exceptional. I continued to plow the ground. Then, reality hit and I found myself driving a vehicle with no instruction or manual how to sustain it and to keep my dream alive.

Things I learned that were not (normally) taught schools and universities:

  1. It is not too hard to do a one time event but extremely hard to sustain it. Many people can do a large event just one time. The challenge is how can you sustain and get it going? For example, many non profits start food pantry but after a few months, it fizzle out.
  2. Having a non-profit requires money (unless you have millionaire parents or have lots of money in the bank); it’s not easy to raise funding. Doing good is commendable but sustaining it is very difficult without funds in the bank. My first big outreach resulted in a deficit of $400 and I have to pay it myself.
  3. Founders of organizations sometime find themselves lonely and alone. After a big outreach and the accolade, then the hard work of clean up, follow and reporting come. At times, the leader is left with tons of work to do all the stuff by himself/herself.
  4. After giving all you got, the founder often gets all the criticism and accused of bad management and leadership. As a leader, you need to have broad shoulders, willing to tolerate small things and brush off the negative comments.
  5. One of the things to tolerate are those people whom you helped and you felt you delivered more than what was promised. However, those whom you helped talk bad about you because they expected a lot more than what they asked for. What do you do with this situation? Don’t get stuck on a pity party, move on.

There many more things that are not talked about in the non-profit world but are very real once you are in the arena of charitable organizations. Once you weather all of these, you may be able to create a legacy that will continue on long after you’re gone. It’s like a garden, you cultivate the soil, plant the seeds and take of the plants on a regular basis. So after all the hard work and endurance, you may find yourself sitting at a beach looking at the horizon asking God what else you can do in the future.

 

Merlin Gonzales is an Author, a Church/Ministry consultant, a teacher, a preacher and conference speaker who developed the concept of “Mission Trip in Your Own Backyard” and “Incubating Self-Sustained Food Pantries.” Contact him at [email protected] for assessment of your ministry.

 

 

Merlin Gonzales5 things schools don’t (normally) tell you about starting a non-profit
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Miracle on 34th St.

The one stooping down and the one being prayed for accepted Jesus.

The one stooping down and the one being prayed for accepted Jesus.

I just got back from mission field – West 34th St, Indianapolis, Indiana. FHL had started a food pantry at Monte de Sion Church on 3307 Lowry Rd. This pantry has been serving their neighborhoods for almost 2 years now. It has become a part of their community. They have served dozens of families and have touched hundreds of individuals along the way.

This morning (02/15/14) I visited this particular pantry. The clients started to come before the scheduled time, 10am. I led the prayer before the start of the pantry. I thanked the Lord for His provision and asked Him to fill the church with His presence.

At around 11am, 3 ladies who speak very little English came. They filled out the Registration Form and started to talk with the Pastor. Then, I was introduced by the Pastor to one of the ladies. She said that she was the one who was healed of her aching knee last month after Donna, FHL ministry leader prayed for her.

I saw the excitement in her whole being and asked her if she would like to receive more healing. I then proceeded to introduce her to the Lord Jesus Christ. She accepted the Lord in front of her friends. As I was observing what was going on, I asked her friend if she knew Jesus and she said No. After a brief conversation, she accepted the Lord as well.

While praying for her, the youngest of the three was being touched by the Lord also. I saw her eyelids started to twitch and saw tears started to flow through her cheeks. I asked her if God was speaking to her and she said Yes. She thought that she would go to heaven because she is a good person. I told her that there’s only One way to go to heaven – Jesus. She accepted the Lord as well!

At that time, the entire place was charged with faith and one of the volunteers came and asked for prayer for healing for her right arm and left toes due to diabetes. He faith rose up as she was witnessing the power of the Holy Spirit all over the place. We prayed for her as well and she said she felt  a lot better!

The three ladies came for groceries but they received who they have been looking for – the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth who came in the flesh.

Matthew 10:7-8, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

We are witnessing that the harvest is coming. God had already prepared the hearts of the people to receive Him. We just need to be willing vessels for the Lord to pour out His love for His people.

I will write it again, “It’s not just about food, it’s about relationship with God and with others. If we keep the major thing the major thing, we will see more of the tangible manifestation of God in our midst. Three people were saved today not because of food but because of people who authentically care for them.

God bless you,

Merlin

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Merlin GonzalesMiracle on 34th St.
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The final separation

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” – Matthew 25:32

This verse resonated when I recently read 2 articles about large organizations focused on boys and girls. The first one was about a teenager receiving the highest award for coming out of the closet and the later for voting on a person for a national award but is a pro choice.

Just today, a friend of mine said that he was surprised to find out that an executive of a nation wide organization that was founded as a Christian organization is not a Christian! In addition, this same person was transferred to another region as an executive of the same organization.

When the Kingdom of God reached its fullness here on earth, there will be final separation. There will be no more lukewarm, wishy-washy and gray line. He will part the goats from the sheep, the tares from the wheat and the passionates from the lukewarm.

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” – Matthew 7:22-23

 

If you like this article, please share. Feel free to make a Comment or suggestions. Let me know what topics you would like to read in the future. God bless you! Merlin

 

 

Merlin GonzalesThe final separation
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Introducing…(your organization)

Introducing your organization takes planning and follow ups. Many organizations, including ours are challenged to find workable process to expand its reach and its network.

I have taken the privilege to borrow some of the ideas from Raising More Money book by Terry Axelrod. This will be an introduction to a workable plan that’s proven effective by many organizations.

The Entrance door

This is designed to introduce people to your organization. It is a door opener for people who have not heard of your mission or just know a little about it. Your board members, current donors or your advocates are your main players to invite their business partners, families, friends, church members, or neighbors. If your organization does not have an office to bring several people to, you can hold this event at a restaurant or a nice conference room. It is ideal to provide drinks and small meal or snack.

For example, if you have a friend who owns a restaurant or a building, ask him/her to consider sponsoring the informational meeting. It is important to let the guests know that this is an introductory  session about the organization and they will not be asked for donation but they will receive a follow up call to see if they have an interest to find out more.

Conversion Session

After the introductory session, follow ups are very important. This should be done within 5 days of the first session. The board members or the advocates are the best persons to follow up since they already have relationships with their guests.

Two ways to use this session:

  • Ask for financial donations or find out how the guests want to get involved
  • Ask them to be Table Captains for your future fundraiser event.

Table Captains basically those who buy-in to the mission of your organization and are willing to invite people who may be  interested in the organization.

I will be writing more about who is an ideal Table Captain soon.

PS. If you have comment or suggestions, please feel free to post below or email [email protected] Please Share this link on your social media if you think this is helpful. Let me know if you want other topics for my next blog.

Merlin Gonzales

Merlin GonzalesIntroducing…(your organization)
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The Paradox of Giving

Doing illegal thing while driving a car

An Indy policeman giving so much of himself for others

In Acts 20:35, Apostle Paul wrote – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Many things had transpired in the past few days:

  • 4 food pantries
  • 4 Kindness Days
  • Ride along with IMPD Police Officer at one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Indy
    • I’ve seen people put in jail, smoking marijuana while driving, small children in a car without car seats, theft, domestic violence, hunger, homelessness, etc.
  • I have shared MORE DETAILS here

Just in 10 days of seeing the hurts and the needs surrounding us, the verse above spoke to me in a deeper level. I thought of asking you rhetorical questions. Feel free to make Comments on this Blog as well.

  • Which one would you rather be:
    • a person who has the ability to donate food and time or a person who rely on others for the next meal?
    • a legally blind person living by yourself or a person who has good sets of eyes and able to help a blind person?
    • a person who can help someone to do strenuous physical activities or someone who is hindered physically?
    • a person who give his/her time, talent & treasure because God had graced you or a person with different circumstances who receives from you?

Keep in mind that it could be reversed. For example, by helping those who are “weak”, you realized you are strong. By giving of yourself to others without expecting anything in return, you suddenly receive blessings in unexpected ways.

I’m actually writing this to remind myself of the paradox of giving. Sometimes, I question myself, “Why am I doing all these?” It’s easy for us complain and make excuses rather than see the blessings in disguise. And, in many instances, transcendence happens in the act of giving one’s self.

In the next few weeks, ask yourself:

  • “Who can I bless today?”
  • “Where is God calling me to gather resources for others?”
  • “How can I see the blessing in disguise?”

God bless you!

Merlin

Merlin GonzalesThe Paradox of Giving
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