Economic Development Ministry Meeting



Economic Development Ministry Meeting

March 14, 2008

The meeting opened up with prayer at 7:03 p.m. by Ron Troy.

EDM Vision and Purpose

Pastor Gee expressed that this was the last meeting before we started the spring events. In reiterating the vision and the purpose, he led us to II Corinthians 9:8 which says,

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. (Amplified)

Grace is underserved favor which God is able to make abound toward us – tremendous increase. God is able to make all grace abounding toward us. We have specializations, but we have to expand our minds. God is able and desires to give all grace, every favor, and every type of blessing. We need to push the horizons out farther. It is all grace, and it is abounding. This is God’s desire. His force is behind abounding. His push is for all grace to abound. The urging that we have may be a touch and a taste of what God desires us to do.

Whatever money we have made is just a fraction of what we can have. God never intends for there to be a time of lack. He wants us to always have! We are thankful for the little bit, but that is not God’s design. We can go farther. We have to see ourselves as “always” having - all sufficiency in all languages. Whatever lesson you have to learn – learn it and move on.

There are good works out there. But we have to abound first and get blessed before we can bless others. Each one of us is working in our special area, but let’s couple that with this principle. It is time for the blessing explosion to happen. We have to gear this thing up as we move toward all grace and all abounding. Do not apologize for what you have. We have to understand where we are going with this. Pastor Gee suggested that meditate on II Corinthians 9:8 and ask the Lord what part we have in it.

Get Acquainted & New Faces

We went around the room and did introductions. We welcomed a new member, Angela January, and a guest, Naomie Odoom.

Committee Goals 2008

Group coordinators need to consider reachable goals for their teams for 2008. Pastor Gee plans to set up a meeting soon with the coordinators.

Meeting with Pastor Andy on 2/28/08

Thanks to those who responded as a result of Pastor Andy’s request. Special thanks to Yolanda Brown who did a very thorough review. Pastor Gee hopes to get together with Pastor Andy soon to clarify some things. It appears that there is a real estate development group already in existence, consisting of Marcus Becton and Warren Robinson. They are working with Pastor Andy re: development of the new land purchase. They are a separate entity and just needed our input at the time. Patrick Roberts may also be reviewing some of the pertinent documents.

The question was raised - how do you create a for profit entity utilizing non profit funds? The church plans to invest into the LLC. Once you give your tithes and offerings, it’s really not your money anymore. The church can invest into a LLC, but it becomes business income and is taxable. There are some strong security laws around this, which is what the group is looking into. For low income housing and wanted government appropriations, you would have to set up another non profit under the LLC.

Pastor Andy is still accepting feedback and would appreciate whatever viewpoints we have to contribute.

EDM Spring Events

Very shortly, we will be rolling out our spring offensive to address needs, lack, poverty, curses, and other issues that came out of the survey we did months ago.

Good Friday Networking Alliance – Pete Winslow

About 150 attended the first Business Networking Alliance event, which was held in November 2007. Attendees got exposure for their businesses and did some networking. The evaluation indicated that they would be in favor of meeting on a monthly basis to continue networking and fostering relationships. However, due to the holidays, the fast, etc., we are just now getting back on track. The next event will be held on next Friday, March 21st starting at 6:45 pm. This time Patrick Roberts will speak about business and law. Patrick has his own business, but he is an entrepreneur too. We will identify people by various categories and let them give a 45 second commercial spot, which will be followed by an open networking forum. Child care will not be provided. Fifty people have responded so far to the evite that they will be coming. It was suggested that we try to solicit one another’s services and maybe utilize one person’s service for the event.

Favor in Your Financial Wealth Management Series – Angela Burroughs

We will be kicking off our first class series in response to the survey implemented last year. This entry level class will last 4 weeks and will be held from 7-9 pm every Tuesday, beginning March 25th and ending April 15th. It is open to the public. It has been designed in close collaboration with the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development (NCIMED), represented by Yolanda Brown. They will be providing free credit counseling - pulling credit reports and setting up counseling sessions. For people who want to sow into others, please consider purchasing some copies of the Debt Reduction software for $5/each. Angela will check with Malcolm Allen to see if we can record the classes. We may need a release form if we do that.

An insert flyer for the church bulletin and a slide for a pulpit announcement have been created. The seminar will be announced at the class and the class and the seminar will be announced at the networking event. We want to make sure that all of the EDM functions will be promoting each other.

Week 1 (March 25th): “Overview/Understanding Credit”

Speaker: Yolanda Brown

Introductions/Ice Breaker

Overview of Class Objectives

Class Expectations

Credit Review Consent

Week 2 (April 1st): “Debt and Christians”

Speakers: Pastor Al Gee and Delvin and Adrienne Davis

Spiritual Foundation and Information: Why Christians fall into the Debt Trap and its Bondage

How We Should Approach Debt/Money as Christians

Week 3 (April 8th): “Developing Your Financial Plan”

Speaker: Angela Burroughs

Why a Personal Spending Plan is Vital

In-depth Coverage of How to Develop a Personal Spending Plan

How to Identify Reductions in Monthly Expenses

Week 4 (April 15th): “Working Your Financial Plan”

Speaker: Richard LaBennett

How to Stay On Top Of Getting Issues In Credit Worked Out

What to Do When the Unexpected Happens

Working the Plan Without Becoming Frustrated

WOCC Seminar – Jill Coleman

The first financial seminar will be held in church sanctuary on April 26th from 8 am – 3 pm. It will be open to the community. Jill thanked everyone on the team, which has been meeting every week to plan this event. The seminar sponsors will have tables in the lobby and 16 vendors will be set up in the Fellowship Hall. Half of the vendors have committed with money. All five sponsors have paid, which includes the breakfast and lunch sponsors. We still have slots for 3 vendors and (1) $1500 and (2) $1000 sponsors. Advertising will be done via Radio One with an eblast to hit 19,000 people. It has also been posted on the NCIMED Website. There will be phone line and online registration. It will be exciting to see what the response will be.

10:00 am Kingdom Principles for Financial Stewardship – Pastor Andy

11:00 am Understanding Credit – Winslow Thornton

12:00 pm Budgeting and Debt Elimination – Angela Burroughs

1:00 pm Break (Snacks will be provided throughout the day)

2:00 pm Home Ownership – Anthony Holt

3:00 pm Savings and Investments – Dexter Perry

4:00 pm Retirement Planning – Ron Troy

Wrap Up – Pastor Al Gee

Everything that comes out of EDM should be first rate. Be on time – look the part! We are going to pay our way. We need to be on top of things. Every event needs to be first rate. It’s important that we present a good product.

Pastor Gee let us know that he sees the energy that happens through the notes from the groups. Not only are we getting things done, but we are generating income and community interest.

Pastor Gee recently met with someone from the Durham Chamber of Commerce. Since WOCC is in Durham, he believes that it will have a prominent role in redefining the branding of Durham. In other words, our reputation is going to have a direct affect on Durham and why people come here. Bring your best game! We are going to point where all grace is abounding. Some people have to go in first. This is not a club or group – this is a ministry.

Patrice Reams will now be the EDM Treasurer and track our funds. Tiffany Haddock is the church’s finance person.

The meeting closed with prayer by Winslow Thornton at approximately 8:05 pm.

Recorded by Evangelist Beverly Murphy

murph005@mc.duke.edu

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