How to Do Ministry in Your Own Backyard

By Elizabeth A. O’Neill

We are all called; but few are chosen. Listen and let God lead you in the way you should serve him. Are you ready to jump in and start serving God but do not know where to begin? God has a plan for you here on earth no matter where you live. This is what author, Elizabeth ONeill, shares in her book. A small seed was planted in her heart and it grew into a full time ministry; serving people with food, clothing and shelter. Has God been calling you into ministry? Dont know where to start?

ONeill explains that we have nothing to fear when we trust God and let him take the wheel. How to do ministry in your own backyard, is a step by step guide to help you unfold Gods vision in your life. We need not be experts to do Gods work. Never doubt what a small group of dedicated Christians can do for God. Christ will prepare the way. Trust him and watch as his amazing plan unfolds.

This book will help you start serving those in need in your community right now. Churches, community groups, children and individuals joined the ONeill family to do his work in the rural village of Cattaraugus, New York. God brought the people and resources. Obey God and you will see his fruit grow.

ONeill is the director of Saving Grace Outreach, in Cattaraugus, New York. She has worked in ministry for the past eight years continuing to let God direct her path. Elizabeth ONeill lives in East Otto, New York with her husband Chris, daughter Caitlin, and sons Sean, and Shane. She also has two grown daughters, Kelly and Meagan ONeill.

Be ready to stand in the gap and let God work through you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781490894607

Elizabeth A. O’Neill

Elizabeth A. O’Neill is responsible for starting and directing, “Saving Grace Outreach,” in Cattaraugus, New York. She has worked in ministry for the past eight years and grew up in Western New York. She continues to let God direct her path. God never stops directing her into doing more for him. This book is another example of his work through her.

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Copyright © 2016 Elizabeth A. O’Neill.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-9459-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-9461-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-9460-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016900878

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/26/2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: How to do God’s Work in your own backyard…

Prologue

Chapter 1:     Feeding the Physical Needs

Chapter 2:     Clothing and Household Goods

Chapter 3:     Housing and Shelters

Chapter 4:     Partnering with Other Ministries

Chapter 5:     Keeping it all going

Chapter 6:     Testimony and Encouragement

Author’s Testimony

References:

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks for two ladies who did all the

Editing and proof reading…

Kathy Phillips and Karen King

Thanks for all your input and advice

God Bless You Both!

This book is dedicated to two wonderful

Servants of God:

Helen Crandall

Sandy Fridman

Two ladies who showed me who God truly is

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure; they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

II Peter 3-11

Introduction:

How to do God’s Work in your own backyard…

Starting a ministry is a lot like finishing anything else in your life…Difficult and a lot of hard work. Make sure you are IN for the long haul and willing to finish what God starts. He wants only your personal best and all of your effort. Sounds difficult and exhausting? It may be at times but remember he said his yoke would be easy and his burden would be light. Others will join you along the way so do not think you have to do it all alone. They will bring time, talent and resources you do not have. Do not worry about how to do something God sized, he has the one and only plan. The best plan! So remember to seek him often sometimes twice daily, GET IN HIS WORD!!!

Let me help you take the first step…

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matt 6: 7-8, KJV

Gather your prayer partners and pray. Pray and pray some more. He will move you and lead others to join you so do not worry. Wait patiently upon the Lord. If it is truly God, it will be easy. If it’s your flesh it will extremely difficult so make sure it is truly the work of the Lord. You want to bring glory to him not you!

Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5: 14-16, KJV

Remember you are called to SERVE, not judge or make others feel inferior or unworthy to receive God’s help. We are all unworthy; make sure your heart and motives are matched up with Gods’ heart. Our God is a just God and he sees everything and knows everything. He sees our heart. As servants we want others to know us by his love. That is how we will win hearts and lives for Christ.

Remember another important point…WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US!!!! Never forget why you are doing what you’re doing. Give God the glory and honor he deserves. Your reward will be in heaven.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6, NIV

Know your calling; gather others that want to serve God in a similar way and who want to help with God’s work. Whether you are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and sheltering the homeless you will need help. Be ready for one piece to be laid out before another can build on God’s foundation; his timing is perfect, wait upon the lord. Do not despise small beginnings… God will always have a big finish. It is difficult to be patient but it will be more difficult for you if you do not wait! Trust and obey for there is no other way…

Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7, NIV

Ask and it shall be given to you; God will work out the details. Finding a building to put his ministry in sometimes is amusing. The right one may not be the right one until you’ve looked at all the wrong ones. He moves on others to call you and make the deal, not the other way around. Sometimes you have to initiate the contact but he will make the deal in the end, again after waiting patiently. Usually you will receive the phone call. Or the opportunity may just knock at your door and the building may be donated, either way the point is that God is doing the work not you! You will also need to be aware of filing (if you are in the USA) for tax exempt status, federal 501c3 status and then get your Federal Identification Number (EIN). Look at incorporating your ministry to limit your liability. Your board will need to be between 5-7 members minimum. Maybe no more than 12 so you can vote and have a conversation and advise from some Godly people when you need it. Not too hard for those of us with God on our side but things can start small at first. A local Church or sponsoring agency can help you get a start but eventually you will need to file for your own number.

Filing for government tax-exempt charitable organization can be done and it may be a little easier if you have a lawyer on your side but the fee for small organizations (less than $10,000/yr for over 4 yrs) is only $400. The IRS has all the information and can walk you through the process so just look it up on the internet (www.irs.gov).

It is his plan not