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Hi, everybody! In this
edition of our newsletter, we want to share with you some of our vision,
especially as it relates to our financial picture, as well as other news.
Financial Vision for Through the Gates
For over two years now,
Through the Gates has been ministering in dozens of churches both in the
United States and abroad. Most of that time, I (Ken) have been traveling
by myself, because Lisa has been working full time in order to cover our
basic living expenses, while the income from Through the Gates has been
covering operating costs and supplementing our income to a small degree.
We feel strongly that it is important for Lisa to be released from her
job so she is able to travel with me, both for our own sakes (we don't
like being apart this much!) and because she has so much to add to the
ministry.
Also, our heart is to
expand the ministry of Through the Gates to touch more churches, both
in this country and in other nations, which cannot afford to cover the
expenses involved in bringing in quality ministry, let alone give enough
for the itinerants to actually make a living. After all, it is often smaller
churches in the States, or even large churches in other nations, which
really need help in building the worship life of the congregation, training
musicians and worship leaders, and releasing the church into fresh and
powerful realms of the presence of God. We want to be able to accept invitations
to minister with no consideration of financial issues. How wonderful it
would be, for instance, if we could return to Uganda where we have ministered
in the past, and spend a month or so teaching, training and equipping
the worship ministry there!
In order for these things
to happen, it is necessary for Through the Gates Ministries to develop
a network of support consisting of individuals or churches who, recognizing
the value of the work of God in and through us, are led by Him to contribute
toward that work. In Luke 8:3 mention is made of several women and "many
others" who ministered to Jesus and His disciples from their possessions.
Because of people like that, Jesus was able to minister to multitudes
and actually provide for them, rather than needing to take an offering
from them!
Practical
Matters
This year Through the
Gates Ministries Inc., a nonprofit corporation, was granted tax-exempt
status by the Internal Revenue Service as a "publicly supported organization."
(We'll say P.S.O. for short!) This means that donations to Through the
Gates are tax-deductible, and that Through the Gates doesn't have to pay
taxes on income to the corporation. The P.S.O. designation, in addition,
means that we are able to operate with a minimum of paperwork and involvement
with the I.R.S. However, that designation is in effect only until the
end of 2004. At that time the sources of Through the Gates' income will
be reviewed, and unless a significant proportion of that income is from
donations, gifts, grants, etc. -- in other words, from sources other than
offerings, honoraria, or sales of CDs, etc. – we will be reclassified
as a private foundation. This will not take away our tax-exempt status,
but will entail much more red tape and I.R.S. involvement.
Any money that comes
in to Through the Gates, whether as gifts, donations, honoraria, offerings,
or for sales of CDs, does not automatically become income for Lisa and
me. First of all, operating expenses, such as travel, supplies, equipment
etc. must be paid. (It might be a surprise to some people to realize that
our CDs are not big money-makers for us. For instance, the proceeds from
the distribution of the first 1,000 of our latest album have covered just
over half the cost of producing them in the first place!) Then, I am presently
authorized by our board to receive a salary that is limited to 40 percent
of the gross income of Through the Gates, or $48,000 per year, which ever
is less. At this point, that's definitely the 40 percent!
One other thing we feel
we should share: Over the last two years and more, we have received very
generous support from New Day Community Church in Kalamazoo, the church
I founded and then turned over to my assistant when I launched Through
the Gates. However, that support is being diminished significantly due
to necessary budget priorities in the local church of about 120 people.
We recognize this as a challenge to our faith to trust the Lord to meet
our needs through other avenues.
What
You Can Do
First of all, please
agree with us in prayer for the Father's provision to be released on our
behalf. We know that He is the richest King in the universe, and that
what seems like a great need to us is minuscule to Him!
Secondly, please simply
ask the Father if He wants you to contribute some kind of financial support,
either a one-time gift or perhaps a monthly donation, for Through the
Gates Ministries.
What can we offer in
return for your gifts? Well, first of all we can give you a receipt for
your tax-deduction at the end of each year! Then, we can assure you that
your gift will redound in many thanksgivings to God, as we are enabled
to reach out and touch more lives here and abroad. And whatever fruit
we bear in this joyful service will also be yours, some of which will
only be realized in the world to come. Finally, we believe that as individuals
and churches like yourselves sow into this ministry, you will reap blessings
of every kind, including financial (2 Cor. 9:10).
Thank you for hearing,
considering and praying with us.
Other
New Developments
We are really excited
to announce that Lisa will attend the month-long Leaders' School of Ministry
early this coming year at Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, Toronto,
Ontario. The school, offered twice yearly, draws people in ministry positions
from all over the world and includes topics such as healing for life's
hurts and knowing the father-heart of God. She is taking four weeks of
unpaid leave from her job to do this, so this is not only an opportunity
for her to receive life-changing ministry but also a way for both of us
to exercise faith in the Father's provision for that month. I plan to
be with her during about two weeks of the school, which I completed in
1999, and attend other meetings offered at the Toronto church at that
time. The other weeks I probably will be in California to minister at
the Regional Worship Symposium.
The second development
is that we have submitted ourselves and Through the Gates Ministries to
the pastoral leadership of Pastor Ron Allen of Heartland Community Church
in Fort Wayne, Ind. Since stepping down from the pastorate myself, I have
been seeking a shepherd for me personally and for Through the Gates. For
some time Lisa and I have been sensing the Lord drawing us into relationship
with Ron and Heartland. Recently we asked Ron if he would be willing to
be pastor to us, and he agreed. At this point we are not feeling we should
relocate to Fort Wayne, so we will continue to live here in Kalamazoo
and commute to Fort Wayne on Sundays when we're not away ministering.
You can check out Heartland Community Church through its Web site: www.hccfw.com.
Thanks for reading this
long letter, and for your love, support, and prayers!
In the love of the Father and the grace of Jesus – Ken and Lisa
