In 2009, we published our first program catalog, I went through intensive training with Focus on the Family’s “The Truth Project,” and Reclaiming The Mind’s “The Theology Program,” and the website and email newsletter were designed and launched.  In the last quarter, God placed it on my heart to include a new aspect to our mission.  With our country’s economy in its current condition, unemployment at such a high level, and so many without health care insurance, I began to see a real need in the lives of those who were receiving coaching through this ministry. I recommended books and classes to many who turned to me in 2009, only to find they were unable to afford those resources.  I referred a number of clients to both local and national health resources only to hear it reported that they could not afford to go to the doctor or pay for prescription medication.  I asked God many times in prayer how a resource ministry could glorify Him and accomplish His purposes on earth if none of the people I was reaching could take advantage of those resources!  And, faithfully as always, God illuminated the path that would lead us to a solution.

As this year drew to a close and we reviewed the budget and began to plan for 2010, we found that through your kind donations we were able to stock our shelves with a small inventory of key resources (books, DVDs, and other tangible resources) to have at the ready.  Our plan for 2010 is to place the resources in the hands of those who stand ready to benefit from them regardless of their ability to purchase them.  We have begun to research and connect with free health clinics and other health care resources across the country to build a strong referral network for those without insurance or with low income.  Our classes and seminars will include scholarships for those who have clearly demonstrated their readiness to take the next step in their journey toward responsible living with only financial hardship in their way.  All of this will be possible only through your continued support in the form of donations.

Have you benefited from one of Perissos Resources seminars, classes, or life coaching services?  Do you have a family  member who has shown personal growth, improvement, or outright transformation as a result of our ministry?  Do you have a heart for someone with financial hardship, unemployment, or no health insurance who is looking for a way to equip themselves for the coming year?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then I would urge you to take a couple of steps and join us as we grow in 2010.  First, sign up for our email newsletter using the short form in the left sidebar.  You’ll receive periodic updates when new programs are announced and we will never make your information available to third parties.  Next, use the “donate” button to help us build our resource inventory and scholarship & benevolence funds so we’re ready to meet as many needs as possible.  If you’d like to know more about how we determine how those funds are distributed, please feel free to contact me at any time with your questions.  Just visit the Contact page using the menu button at the top of this page for several ways to do that.  Thirdly, if you keep track of your favorite websites, blogs, or other online content using an RSS feed, there is one for this ministry at the bottom of the right column.  Or, you can also follow us on Facebook so you won’t miss any of our announcements.  I’ll be bringing your video devotionals and brief words of encouragement and scripture study via this blog as well, so don’t miss out!

If you are someone who needs any of the resources and services we offer, or if you’d like to bring one of our programs to your small group, church, or business, just email me with your details and I’ll be happy to get back to you quickly.

Happy New Year !

I’ve also completed the “Introduction to Theology,” course from Reclaiming the Mind ministries, the first of six 10-week courses that make up “The Theology Program,” a seminary-level certificate program in systematic theology that is unlike anything else!  A true, deep discipleship program, The Theology Program strives to make sound theological training accessible to everyone — and they do an outstanding job.  The introductory course is excellent as a stand-alone study and a great one to take in order to determine whether you desire to continue to take the entire program.  Due to the intense nature of this program and the importance of remaining commited for the entire 10 weeks, we’re asking for a donation of $150 per student for this course, which includes two excellent text books you will be thrilled to have in your personal library.

In other news, Perissos has elected to include some additional services to the scope of the ministry in order to help build up the revenue to realize its vision.  We now provide limited business services to other ministries, churches, and businesses whose work is consistent with our mission and vision.  This includes administrative services, event planning, some web design, and promotions among other things.  If you are interested in more information about this aspect of the ministry, please contact me at perissosresources@gmail.com.

We are still very much in need of funds so that we can purchase additional course materials and, ultimately, secure a permanent location for our programs.  If you have been blessed by this ministry or are interested in supporting us as we take our initial steps toward the realization of our God-given vision, please prayerfully consider using the convenient “Donate” button on our home page here.  If you would like to become a regular monthly supporter, please know that as little as $25 per month would make an enormous difference to us!  All donations are tax-deductible and donors will receive a year-end statement for tax filing purposes.  Our current goal is to reach an additional $500 per month in regular monthly donations by September 2009.  We believe it is a modest goal and you can help make it happen!

We are extremely excited about the things we have shared with you today as well as some other developing projects that are on our drawing board right now.  We hope you will partner with us to glorify God in Jacksonville by helping us reach our maximum potential.

The Spring/Summer 2009 program catalog was finalized.  It was trimmed to only the programs that are 100% ready to deliver right now, though there are several other exciting additions in the hopper for the Fall semester.  Our “Services” page has more information about both current and upcoming programs.

The big task ahead of us now is fund raising.  It was determined that we will require about $20,000 to really get Perissos Resources operating optimally in 2009, so that is our goal.  In addition, we are still praying for donated commercial space so we can have a physical home.  That will allow us to make so many more resources available in a much more efficient and accessible way, as well as allow us to publish a schedule for classes we want to offer rather than wait for an organization or church to request us and bring us in house.

There was exciting news found in a devotional magazine I received the other day regarding a special window of opportunity for those who are 70 and 1/2 years of age or older with an IRA.  For the calendar year 2009 only, it will be possible to distribute funds directly to a charitable organization like Perissos Resources without having to pay taxes on the distribution!  We are prayerful that this will help some prospective donors consider us when they are making their decisions for good stewardship of their IRA funds.

With a bit of hesitation, I am sending out my one and only “email blast” from my personal address book, asking everyone I know to come to this website and either sign up for the newsletter or consider sowing a seed to get the ministry off the ground.  We currently have an bank account that doesn’t have nearly enough to sustain us and this is a delicate and critical time for the ministry.  So, I’ve partnered with an outstanding email newsletter management website called “Mail Chimp,” that will track and manage our quarterly newsletters and campaigns.  But, in order to be on the list, it is their requirement that people voluntarily opt to be on it by filling out the form on the home page.  I agree whole-heartedly with this level of integrity and will not engage in spamming, list buying or selling, or otherwise harrassing people electronically.  However, as a way to get the word out initially, I will send out a message inviting people to consider making their choice.

We’ve set up a page on Facebook for the ministry and are also in the process of setting it up as an official “cause” there as another fund-raising option, though there are still a few steps to complete for that page to be ready to receive donations.

I’m currently considering space to offer a “Supporting Boundaries” small support group for those who have already been through a boundaries course and wish to brush up their skills in a safe and supportive environmnent.  That will likely be the first official Perissos Resources event.  I’m looking forward to that!