Update

It has been an amazing 10 days. I spent most of last week in Nashville, TN at a Congress on Evangelism. I went with my District superintendent. We stayed at Opryland, a 5000 room hotel, never seen anything like it. The pic on the left is a pic of where we stayed. We stayed on the 4th floor with the balcony. We overlooked what looks to be a tropical paradise outside. It is really inside, a huge greenhouse. The conference was very good, I left with lots of information. While I was there the woman that Chris has been caring for, passed away. Chris has been caring for a High School friend that had cancer, Sharolette Echlebarger. We went to the calling on Sunday and the funeral on Monday. We saw so many people that we haven't seen in years.

Last night we finally got the Kokomo Urban Outreach Board organized and set in motion. We approved budgets, job descriptions, by laws, and elected officers. Those that were at the Board Meeting last night included: Kevin Miller, chairperson(assoc. Pastor at St. Lukes UMC), Judy Adams, Vice Chair(pastor of Parr UMC), Ron Harper, Secretary(President of the Howard County Foundation), Monica Arrowsmith, treasurer(member at Main St. UMC-Lawyer/registered Nurse), Evan Strong(Pastor Faith UMC), Emily Beard( 20 year old that attends Trinity UMC), Travis Taflinger(Director of Bridges Outreach attends First Church of God), Grant Poynter(retired), April Mozingo(Registered Nurse attends McGrawsville UMC), and Rod Ledbetter( Delphi attends Morning Star Church). The meeting went very, very well. We accomplished what many say take 3-6 months in a very short time. Today we are applying for Not for profit Status with the state and right after with the Federal government. As of now we can officially accept donations to Kokomo Urban Outreach as we are in process of non profit status. Our budget for 2006 is $70,000, that includes my salary and a part time(20 hr week administrative assit) along with insurance, office rent, office supplies, advertising and program expenses. We have $16,000 already pledged. We hope to raise the majority through 25.00 a month partnerships and in kind donations. We feel we need 150 people to participate in the $25.00 per month program with the rest coming from one time donations and business gifts. The administrative part is my least favorite part, put God has put around me a bunch of very, very gifted and talented people. Please continue to pray, as we begin fund raising for this ministry. Jeff