Terre Haute Ministries INC: An Invitation to Area Ministry Leaders

Friday, August 15, 2008

An Invitation to Area Ministry Leaders

From our Chairman - an open invitation.

August 5, 2008

Co-Laborers in Christ,

I am thrilled about the progress of Terre Haute Ministries! Energy and enthusiasm are mounting as my fellow pastors envision what could be in Terre Haute. Many of us have dreamed of the day when all the congregations of our city joined together in taking care of the unmet needs of the hurting people of our community. That day is on the horizon!

The launch of Terre Haute Ministries will take place on two different days, September 10 @ 11:30 am and September 11 @ 6:30 pm. The vision and objectives of THM will be shared at Maryland Community Church on these two days. You may choose which meeting to attend. All you need to do is RSVP @ 234-7100 or receptionist@mccth.org by Sept. 8.

This meeting is for pastors and one ministry leader from each congregation. Information will be shared about how your congregation can join Terre Haute Ministries and be a part of what God is doing in our city.

We all know the challenges of meeting the many needs of people. Any one congregation or any one faith based ministry cannot meet these needs. It is time for all of us to cooperate, communicate and coordinate as the church in Terre Haute.

You will have an opportunity to meet the Director of Terre Haute Ministries, Rev. Honnolara Hubbard. I am thrilled to have her come on board and lead this great ministry. THM needs you! We are the hands and feet of Jesus in our city, let’s join together to make Him famous and honored by our service.

In His Service,
Dr. Vince McFarland
Chairman Terre Haute Ministries

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Executive Summary

Terre Haute Ministries, Inc.

Summary

Structure. Terre Haute Ministries, Inc., ("THM") was organized in 2008 as an Indiana nonprofit corporation. THM’s members are Christian churches and similar Christian religious organizations located in the Terre Haute area, each of which may designate up to two persons to serve on THM’s board of directors. The board of directors, in turn, elects the officers of THM, who conduct the daily business of the organization.

Origin. In 2006 former Terre Haute Mayor Kevin Burke called local religious leaders to a meeting and issued a challenge—that the religious community begin to seek unity in service to Terre Haute. Pointing out that local business leaders had begun to achieve important civic successes when they decided to cooperate with one another, he expressed the hope that religious organizations could follow their example. Beginning with a small group that gradually grew, several local ministers began to discuss and to pray about possible responses to the Mayor’s challenge.

Community ministry organization. Research led to a type of organization that has proven very successful in other towns and cities. Called a "community ministry organization," it is characterized by broad-based membership among religious congregations, who support the organization and its missions with resources and volunteers. The particular activities of these organizations vary according to local conditions, but generally they address the needs of persons for food, housing, utilities, healthcare, employment skills, and the like. The basic purpose of such organizations is to demonstrate that religious congregations can overcome their doctrinal differences and can unite to meet human need, a mission held in common by many faith traditions. By helping churches to communicate with each other and to coordinate and track the relief that is provided, THM believes it can reduce program overlap, make services more accessible, and increase the likelihood that persons receive the assistance they need.
THM membership. At the organizational stage, the membership of THM included the following faith traditions: United Methodist, Wesleyan, Missionary Baptist, Southern Baptist, Catholic, non-denominational community churches, Assemblies of God, Salvation Army, Christian Church (independent), Congregational, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian. Now that THM is organized, the next step will be to recruit other churches—from these groups and from other Christian traditions—as members. Although the membership of THM currently is comprised of Christian churches, THM hopes that it will have opportunities to cooperate with other religions in meeting human needs.

Next steps. Throughout the remainder of 2008, the officers and directors of THM will be engaged in three main efforts: (1) applying for recognition as a corporation exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) recruiting as many churches as possible to the membership of THM; and (3) assessing the needs of the Terre Haute area and determining what ministries are the best "fit" for THM. Terre Haute is blessed with many organizations that provide social services and relief, yet it is clear that there is still much work to be done. THM intends to be a good partner with these existing agencies and to be a catalyst for even greater cooperation among them.

Terre Haute Ministries INC

Friday, August 15, 2008

An Invitation to Area Ministry Leaders

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