Help!!! Trying to start an new ministry.

[fvshaggy]

Hello all,

My name is Oliver, and I have an idea on starting a ministry. I was thinking about starting a communtiy outreach center at my church. Basically it would start out as me and maybe a couple people at my college group going down to Mexico and working at some orphanages and then doing community service projects in our local area, and then building on from there. I think it would be really awesome if we could expand it into the whole church, so I am going to talk to my college group youth pastor and see what he says about starting something like this. I hope it would lead to better things in our church, like cleaning up the beach, painting walls in the city or doing something like that. I think it would be a good way to get attention to our church and the people that might have questions can feel free to ask what we are all about and everything. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

 

[servant4ever]

Sounds like a cool idea. Do you plan on doing local projects in your town, or is this more of a missions type of thing?

servant4ever

 

[fvshaggy]

It is would be kinda both. Our church is located about 3 hours away from the border so doing some missions down in Mexico wouldn't be a problem. I really want to do local work, so others in the community see that we are an active church looking to help others.

 

[servant4ever]

Sounds sweet. I hope everything goes well and I will be praying for God's will be done.

servant4ever

 

[fvshaggy]

Thanks Servant4ever.

Does anybody know where I could find information on starting this, or any resources that I could use on trying to get this thing off the ground.

Thanks

 

[servant4ever]

Maybe you could search on the internet for local ministries in the area you are going to do mission work in Mexico. Also, you could contact your pastor about community things you could help out with... for example, if there is a rundown neighborhood park, contact the parks and recreation department about trying to fix it up. I don't know, I haven't really done much in things like that, hopefully there will be some pastors that could get on and help you out... Sorry if this wasn't too much help for you...

servant4ever

 

[fvshaggy]

Thank you very much for the idea. I will check that out.

Oliver

 

[christiangal522]

Oliver -
There is a church locally here in MN that i know of that is doing similar things (community outreach). Check out their website to see what they say...also you can contact their pastor, Efram Smith for insights...he is amazing.

I can't post a link but check out sanctuarycovenant . org and click on Community Development

Also check out this book, "Starting a NonProfit at Your Church" by Joy Skegstad

Another idea, which I am doing with my church (I work in youth ministry) is that I found a local non-profit organization and we are collaborating to reach out to the community. My church has a lot of resources (time & $ & interest) and we are going to help the nonprofit in ways that they need assistance. There are a lot of existing orgs that need people like you to help them!! Consider bringing this to your church as well. This is a great way to bring the community together!

Hope that helps!

 

[RevJoshua]

I think it is a great idea. I will put you in my prayers that GOD helps you find a way to accomplish all the things you want to do.

 

[mission_connections]

Amen!!! I have just started a ministry here where I live in Silver Lakes California! It's caled S.L.A.M Silver Lakes Action Ministry....so with out knowing it you all helped me thanks
Ciara

 

[Macrina]

I don't have personal experience in this area, but a friend of mine is a missionary in Tijuana, with a ministry based out of San Diego.

Are you near there? perhaps I could put you in touch. If that sounds useful, PM (personal message) me with an email and I'll give it to my friend.

It is wonderful to hear of God being at work in new places and new lives!