Grace Immanuel Ministries
Volume 1, Issue 1
Dec 31, 2001

 

Birthing of a ministry 

Several years ago, the Lord placed a burden on our hearts to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the needy.  On April 23, 2001, God brought  this desire to fruition.  Several miracles played a part in the birthing of this ministry.  

While having dinner with friends, the conversation came up about our desire to establish a non-profit religious organization.  The couple that we were having dinner with shared that they had a non-profit religious organization that they would be willing to donate to us.  We took the documents to an attorney to see what it would take to make the transfer of ownership.  During this process the attorney advised that it would be more advantageous to start a new non-profit, since the one being donated did not meet the guidelines of what we were directed by the Lord to do.  We shared with the attorney that we didn’t have any money and inquired as to the cost for incorporating.  He told us the fee he charges for this service is $500.  We didn’t have $500 and was in the process of telling the attorney that we weren’t able to go forward with this.  We received the documents in the mail from the attorney and he was only billing us for the filing fees, $85, and had given us a preferred customer discount for the $500.  Praise the Lord!  

This was only the beginning of hurdles we would need to overcome to get this ministry going.  Both of us had full-time ministry positions with Orange County Rescue Mission, making it difficult for us to effectively devote time to this new mission field the Lord had called us to. 

We prayed daily, seeking the Lord’s guidance as to how to proceed.  The Lord spoke to both of us, on separate occasions, unbeknown  to the other.  When Grace voiced to James that the Lord had told her it was time to get out of the boat, James shared with Grace that the Lord had also told him to get out of the boat.  We were both elated, but perplexed.  How on earth would we be able to pay our bills? 

After careful prayer and searching, we knew that it was the Lord speaking to us, and we stepped out on faith.  We got out of the boat. 

It has been 3 months since we stepped out and the Lord has been with us at every turn.  We were in need of computer equipment, and we received a donation from one individual of three computers and a printer.  The individual prepared the computers for use and apologized for not having monitors.  Before this individual left our office, someone called and stated they had a monitor to donate.  Praise the Lord!

We received a call from the party who donated the three computers a few days later, and they shared that they had access to a copy machine.  “Can you use it?”, was the question from the other end.  “Of course we can use it but we aren’t able to arrange transportation.:  “No problem”, the donor replied, “I will arrange to get it to you.” 

A couple of weeks later a donor called and asked if we had need for a computer with monitor and all the latest software.  Of course, we said yes.  The following week, Grace attended a meeting of the Christian Legal Aid Foundation, where she is a member of the board of directors, and shared what the Lord had been doing in our ministry and what are current needs were.  One attorney shared that he would be moving from one location to the other and would have office furniture available.  Again the question was asked, “Can you use ...?”  Without hesitation Grace answered, “Yes.” 

How would we be able to get this office furniture to the Church and up the stairs.  We asked the Church to announce the need and three men responded to service.  Grace Immanuel Ministries has now begun to show some semblance of a real office, complete with:  two 60” office desks, two executive chairs; two secretarial chairs; a fax machine; copier; and two printers.  All of which, with the exception of one executive chair, was donated.  Praise the Lord!  He is so faithful to us, and not a day goes by that He doesn’t show us His Glory. 

A family had contacted the Church to find out if someone was in need of a freezer.  The message was passed on to Grace who made contact with the family member.  At the time of the conversation, the freezer was being sold for $400, was brand new, and still in the box.  Before Grace had an opportunity to discuss this purchase with James, the family called back and said they would like to donate the 20’ freezer to us.  The family made arrangements to have the freezer delivered to us.  Praise the Lord!  Pressed down, shaken together and running over.  The blessings don’t stop. 

We have received donations of women’s clothing as well as canned food items.   We are currently going through the review process to be able to purchase supplemental food items from Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County at a very reduced price.  This will allow us to meet the needs of more low income and no income families in our community. 

Due to the amount of donations we received, since October 2001, we were able to provide  t-shirts and baseball caps, for 100 children, for “Operation Christmas Child”, and provided toys and blankets to a needy family in Orange. 

Our goals for 2002 include an Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Meal Outreach Service.  We will also be providing food boxes monthly, to low income families and weekly distribution of sack lunches to the homeless. 

God’s mercies are new every morning and we can’t wait for the day to end and the next day begin, to see what He has prepared for us. 

Keep us and the ministry in your daily prayers. 

With your support, we can  continue to make a difference in the lives of  ‘… the least of these, my brethren…’

 

1.        To reach out to the homeless in the parks, throughout Orange County and minister the Love of Jesus Christ to them. 

We were able to go out to three parks and assisted 20 homeless individuals with their physical and spiritual nourishment.

2.        To acquire needed office equipment and office space.

As mentioned in the article, “Birthing of A Ministry”, we have received many of the office items and we’ve been blessed by the Church to have office space. 

3.        To assist at least one family, with their Thanksgiving and Christmas needs.

We were able to assist 120 children and five low income families. 

4.        To provide transportation for working individuals.

We assisted five individuals with bus tickets to get back and forth to work.

The Lord has been generous this past three months, allowing us to be a conduit of His mercy and Grace.  2001 was a very prosperous year for us and we look forward to serving the needs of the community in  2002.

Thanks to those of you who provided monetary, non-monetary donations, and volunteered your time, in support of our ministry needs.  We couldn’t have done it without you.

We ask that you might seek the Lord out in prayer, to see what role He would have you play in assisting us in 2002.

1.        Provide food boxes to at least 50 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays

2.        Establish recovery support group

3.        Establish parenting and anger management classes

4.        Provide vocational and educational counseling and job referrals for at least 15 low income families

5.        Assist at least 2 homeless families get back on their feet

6.        Minister the Gospel in South County