CHAPTER 1

THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION

My Personal Testimony

Have fun in the big city would explain the way I rebelled incollege to the way I had been brought up. You see, my parentsdecided for me that I would follow their example and becomean "outgoing Christian" like they were. At the age of 12, they lured me tothis old-fashioned two week revival service so that I could "seek the Lord,"as they called it. I did listen to all that was said each night, however, itwas not until the final night of services did I respond as they had hoped,by giving my life to Jesus.

I really needed to be sure about this matter of salvation. So my prayer onthe night of my acceptance was, "Lord, after I give my life to you, wouldyou respond to me in a way that I know, that I know, that I know, youheard and received my prayer." After which, I waited on my knees andthere seemed to have been no response. I continued to trust, and a coupleof minutes later, the power of God came upon me and I felt as light as afeather as I gracefully walked around the church confessing to numerouspeople that I had found Jesus and he was in my heart. What a freeingand joyful experience that was. On my ride home with my parents, Icould finally relax from the days of exhaustion that stemmed from myanticipation of finding the Lord. I learned from that experience, thatseeking and finding Christ was not as difficult as I had thought. However,I found out that Jesus was a gift given to me. It is free! I was free from thepressure of fulfilling my parents' expectations and I had a new peace. ForJesus said in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He caresfor you."

When the time came for me to be out from under my parents' leadershipI decided to try living my own way and experiencing new things. Soonafter junior college, I got married, had two children, and the beginning ofa budding career. I had many accomplishments years following, but feltthat they were due to my own abilities and I prayed less, and received lessrelationship from the Lord. I eventually squeezed him out. Furthermore,no matter what I did, what I bought, or what I received, I found nofulfillment. I could be in room full of people and still felt as if I was theonly one there. I longed to fill this empty space in my heart.

One night about 20 years ago, I was making tidy our rarely used thirdfloor guest room and found a copy of a devotional book by MarilynHickey, which lay next to the Bible. I did not buy this book, but itappeared interesting. I thought that maybe one of our visiting familymembers may have left it. I started to read it and look up passages fromthe Bible. I came across 1 Corinthians 3:16 which says, "know ye notthat ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you."This scripture relit a spark in me that felt good. I continued to read andMarilyn Hickey was sharing experiences very similar to mine and, thatis when I really understood that the word of God was the key. Thisreading went on for months. It was during this time that I developed acloser relationship with God and found meaning in life by discoveringmy purpose. This purpose gave me hope and my life started to makesense. I then realized how blessed and privileged I was to live in an agethat produced world renowned leaders who were effectual in OutreachMinistries. I found substance in my life and a foundation on which Ibased decisions, allocated my time, and used the resources open to me.I realized that I wanted Him to use my life. To make a long story short,he has! God has placed me in a ministry to uplift the depressed anddowntrodden, the people that society has ostracized. Ministry servicesare offered at my non-profit agency, The Resource Initiatives GivingHope through Training (RIGHT) Foundation and later, EmpowermentResource Associates, Inc., a behavioral health and wellness organization.My career is now fulfilling, and is one of service to others in need. Thepay is low, but the rewards are high. I now have the joy of following in thefootsteps of Jesus. My prayer is that one day all of the ones that I provideand influence in service provision will come to know and follow Christand worship him in spirit and in truth.

The Journey

As stated by A.W. Tozer "It is not what a man does that determineswhether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it."

It was 1993 that I started on a more mature spiritual journey in serviceto others based on living out my faith. The key to my new discovery ofidentity and purpose was relationship with God. I realized that I hadchosen many parts of my life, but could not choose my purpose. On thisjourney, all things were created by him, and for him. Colossians 1:16b.

Journeys are adventurous and not meant to be stagnant. There are goodtimes but also storms and difficult times. Reflecting on life experiences,the most challenging times in my life has further developed my character,faith, and confidence. I also have learned that God accomplishes his workthrough those who know him intimately. However, building intimacy isa process, but quite necessary for the journey. Patience is needed becauseit takes years to develop a close relationship. In order for this intimacy totake place and be effective, we must:

• Be willing to set aside time to meet with the Lord on a daily basisthrough prayer.

• Be willing to share everything about ourselves such as ourdreams, goals, friendships, family, finances, and extracurricularactivities.

• Become a good listener. The Lord has much to say whether in hisword or conviction of the spirit.

• Become attentive. Refrain from being easily distracted with theresponsibilities, concerns, and pleasures of life in this world. Ourattentiveness in our quiet times with Him brings intimacy.

• Be transparent. Do not hide areas of weakness by trying toexclude this from prayer and conversation with the Lord.

• Confession is the privilege of cleansing and should never beavoided because of pride.

• We must trust. Without trust, there can be no intimacy.Sometimes we distrust because we don't know what God saysabout himself and his actions toward us. This is why reading thescriptures are so important. Once his word is firmly anchoredin our minds, we will better understand and discover that He isalways faithful.

The most profound characteristic of the kind of intimacy that has truemerit is a surrendered life (Mark 8:34-35). If you are willing to giveyourself fully to the Lord for his use, He will faithfully provide you witha life of peace, comfort, joy, and transforming love that reaches above allunderstanding.

The Journey is designed by God. The decision to take the journey is yours.If you are called into this ministry, you should be wise and make thedecision to live a life that brings Glory to God rather than yourself. Youwill be surprised how he will lift you up and bless you abundantly.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father

Thank you for calling me to take risk in the midst of my wariness. It doesnot always feel comfortable when leaving what is safe and familiar. Butmy faith and trust in you is all I need to accomplish the task that you setbefore me. Obedience is better than sacrifice. What you will do as a resultwill change lives forever. For when we walk with you in the light of yourword; what a glory you shed on our way. While we do your good will, youabide with us still as long as we trust and obey.

Point to Ponder

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it wasexactly what it needed to be. Don't think you've lost time. There isno short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you haveencountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time."

—Asha Tyson

CHAPTER 2

DEFINING THE MINISTRY ANDITS BOUNDARIES

As defined by Webster, an entrepreneur is defined as someone whoorganizes a business undertaking, assuming the risk for the sakeof the profit. My attention was captured by the definition of anentrepreneurial leader as described by Richard J. Goossen, director of theCentre for Entrepreneurial Leaders at the School of Business at TrinityWestern University, in his published research preface to EntrepreneurialLeaders; Reflection on Faith at Work, Volume IV, he writes, "Anentrepreneur is one who sees reality clearly—has a good read on thecircumstances; but the entrepreneur is also one who can see possibilities,connections, and the ways in which innovation and creativity can alterthat reality."

In the Bible, the words servant and minister are synonyms and the sameare service and ministry. As a Christian, you are a minister, and whenyou're serving, you're ministering. However, according to Webster'sdictionary—a minister is a servant, one authorized to conduct religiousservice. According to the Bible, a servant is a laborer. For the purpose ofthis book, we will combine these two definitions into functions.

Entrepreneurial Ministry is a partnership of visible testimony that thetraditional church can continually be a vital and vibrant avenue foreffective ministry without compromise or loss of heritage and sacredness.By leveraging their entrepreneurial gifts, these ministerial Christ-followersare compelled to provide community outreach as their vocation oroccupation. Many of these ministers are teachers, artist, medical doctors,consultants, Counselors, architects, salesman etc., who work in theirvocation or profession which is guided by their spiritual gifts of purpose.These spiritual gifts unleash qualities that call for focused prayer whichdevelops a kingdom culture that nurtures kingdom families in theirhuman and spiritual needs.

In this type of ministry, the world is your territorial boundary. In orderto become what you are purposed to be, you must function outside thebox and go beyond your normal boundaries to do what you never beforedreamed of doing. The ministry will take you where you have never beento obtain your destiny.

Since it is all about kingdom building, entrepreneurial ministry is anunwavering partnership in God's agenda and its initiatives are destined toreach the masses wherever they are in their hierarchy of social, emotional,economic and spiritual need.

Founded on the Principals of Faith

The Entrepreneurial Ministry is about expanding God's Kingdom. Itinvolves living out ones faith in God and utilizing Biblical principles inyour daily secular work or business. These interactions further leads tosharing Christ with the world as living examples, and building Godlyfamilies as a result of the labors.

Martin Luther King, Jr., is credited with the quote: "We are not makersof history; we are made by history." An entrepreneurial ministry can onlybe effective and reach it's maximum potential, by having anointed menand women of God who are lead by the spirit of God as leaders. Theseentrepreneurial ministers operate in faith and prayer, have vision andcourage and are continuously guided by Biblical principles and focus onthe Kingdom. This breed of ministers will become the light that exposesand explores areas of the unknown as they walk by faith to become whatGod has purposed them to be.

As Ministry has become identified with leadership of religious institutions,there has been a tendency to reduce ministry to merely a matter of upholdingand spreading "the Gospel". We must be ever mindful of the wise wordsof James, the flesh- and- blood brother of Jesus: "What does it profit, mybrethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faithsave him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and "oneof you says to them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you donot give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?Thus also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone willsay, you have faith, and I have works, "Show me your faith without yourworks and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2: 14-18).

Laboring with a purpose

Historically, laborers are few and as such, critically needed. TheEntrepreneurs of Faith are the called to help fill that need. 1 Timothy5:17, 18 use the word "ergates" in referring to elders who labor in theharvest: Preaching (evangelizing) and Teaching (establishing). The"ergates" kind of involvement is described in Matthew 10 where Jesussent forth the 12 as laborers and in Luke 10 where He sent forth the 70 aslaborers. There are five significant facts that apply to both missions:

1. They were told to "Go"—they went on a brief trip.

2. They were told to "Preach"—the Kingdom of God is near.

3. They performed deeds—healed the sick, drove out demons.

4. They were supported by the people to whom they went.

5. They stayed and ministered only where they were welcome.

Today, there are countless opportunities and modalities for meaningfuland effective outreach ministry—such as mentoring opportunities, feedingthe hungry, prison ministry, ride sharing, teaching literacy, counseling, arttherapy and computer skills training. The effective use of new technologieslike websites, blogs, face-book and twitter can also be essential. Socialmedia reaches out across geographical boundaries with positive messagesand are effective in building supportive relationships and networks.

Being a minister means making a sacred commitment to spread hopeand healing, and thereby to bring relief to a hurting world. Every timewe minister to another person, we are fulfilling Jesus' message that "thekingdom of God is among you." Although it is a big responsibility, it isalso an incredible honor to be used by God.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for the awesome task of laboring in order to bring in a harvest.The results will yield meaningful relationships and a kingdom culture. InJesus Name I Pray.

Point to Ponder

"Go where you are celebrated—not tolerated. If they can't see the realvalue of you, it's time for a new start."—Unknown

CHAPTER 3

THE STATE OF OUR UNIONAND COMMUNITIES

We all know that flourishing cities often become the means forsecuring material prosperity. As such, very often in this questthere is a tendency to forget the Lord. However, the Biblepresents the city as a place of God's grace, peace and prosperity as well asa place where man secures his own power and prosperity apart from God.The message does present a double standard.

A brief overview of our nation's economy brings to light that for mostAmericans, things are getting progressively worse. Just over the lastdecade, middle class household income has declined by 7%. The povertyrate is at a 17-year high with 49.7 million Americans living in poverty.Millions are uninsured and reportedly 1 in 9 minority kids are uninsured.Our economy is stagnant, good jobs are hard to find, and safety netprograms for poor people are quite scarce. In other words, "there goes theneighborhood".

Meanwhile, corporations and the wealthy are not paying their fair shareof taxes and the Pentagon has escaped serious budget cuts. Due to ourbudget deficits, wars, and record low taxes for corporations and the rich;most of our local communities are in crisis.

The U.S. accounts for nearly half of the world's total military spending. Itappears that State and local budgets favor policing and incarceration whileschools are underfunded and young adults face steep college tuition andfewer career choices. This nation continues to fight and occupy abroadwhen we should be fighting for our true "homeland security"—thrivinglocal communities. Our basic social services are rationed, while militaryspending is maintained. About 50% of the discretionary Federal budgetsupports the most powerful military in history. Although strides are beingmade by our commander and chief, there is still so much more to bedone.

The multiplicity multicultural challenge

Not surprising is the rapid growth of large cities. There is a magneticfunction of these cities that draws in the people through its production oflifestyles into a world linked by media and cybernetics. Although most ofthe nation's populations live in cities, the other portion is being urbanizedas well.

In the past, it has appeared that most of the world's non-Christianswere geographically culturally distant people in distant places. Ourinterconnected multinational cities have caused a shift in frontiermissions. The future promotes cross-cultural ministry right here in thisnation caused by the greatest migration ever from all hemispheres, Southto North, East to West and from rural to urban.