MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION: Bishop William Paul, PhD first stop for The Church on the Road in 1986 in Memphis, Tennessee at Mason Temple Church of God in Christ where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his last speech on economics. It is here, that he gave his first speech on the Ministry of Economic Development (MED). Since its inception in 1986, Dr. Paul has conducted more than 10,000 seminars and workshops in over 40 states. He created more than 2000 MED chapters and more than 4 million members nationwide to deal with the body of Christ, kingdom building, economic self-sufficiency and church restoration.
Between 1988-89 in Washington, D.C, Bishop Paul introduced the MED to Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After Dr.Paul met with HUD and introduced this concept, HUD adopted a similar program and called it Faith Based Initiative. Dr. Paul assisted more than 12,000 faith-based and community-based organizations to obtain their 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt status. In doing so, he created more than one million dollars in IRS Users fees that went back to tax-payers and various states.
The Ministry of Economic Development is defined as Church Economic Development programs developing ways to manage and establish resources. Therefore, in the midst of much economic change and social reaction, the church must provide multi-faceted services, which focus on economic self-sufficiency and community restoration in order to maintain her relevancy to the God that we serve and to the country we live.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS
Programs: The Ministry of Economic Development should be established in churches in order to meet social demands and provide specialized ministries to the needy. A separate 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation and a Grant (Proposal) Writing Development must be set up to receive funding for the following programs plus more. The programs can consist of, but shall not be limited to: Outreach Advocacy Programs, Housing Literacy, Healthcare Clinics, Counseling, Land Acquisition , A.I.D.S., Elderly Care, M.E.D. H.O.P.E Real Estate, Daycare, Childcare, Teen Pregnancy, Welfare reform, Youth at High Risk, Physical, Mental and Emotional Handicaps, Racial Tensions, Limited Recreational Opportunities, Inadequate Housing and many other areas to place those that are in need back into the main stream of life.
Programs:Collaborate with other Churches, Public, Private and Voluntary Sectors or Welfare Agency Programs to provide public assistance programs such as: Family and Child Welfare Services, Social Services for the Crippled, Disabled, Aging and ill and programs for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquent, Vocational Guidance, Homemaker Services, Literacy Development and Cultural Opportunities.
Programs: Counseling services should be made available to families of our churches who have marital problems, a need for Planned Parenthood Information, Medical information, Legal information, Unwed Mother Information, etc. Counseling is a skilled profession for which special training is required. Most clergymen are not equipped to give this counseling unless he/she has been trained.
Programs: Medical clinics should be set up in churches in order to provide healthcare to indigent individuals in the community and assist with healthcare costs.
Programs: Legal Aid Service should exist within our church where parishioners can obtain legal information about contracts and their legal or civil rights.
Programs:Credit Unions should be considered to assist our families in meeting financial emergencies and more.
Being committed to do what is necessary to achieve kingdom building both spiritually and naturally is the role of the Church ministries. By so doing, will give saints a sense of hope about the future. It is my goal to educate, initiate, and train Pastors, Ministers and Church leaders to help those in need.
The Church on the Road will visit your area to establish your organization and/or programs in your church. Just call:
678-788-6028
or
E-mail us at:
billpaul@churchontheroad.com
