Starting a new ministry.

[HeLivesInUs]

Earlier this week I was called to begin a healing ministry on the streets.

Now I am an active minister with another ministry/pastor currently, called R.A.W(Radically Administering the Word). We feed the homeless and give them a church service as well as street evangelism and ministry.

Now I have never setup a ministry before, but am working on a website currently with another pastor friend of mine, who will be joining me in this ministry(we have not been given a name yet, so therefor no URL as of yet). We are thinking of placing a section on the website for anyone wants to donate or send a love offering to the Work of God in which we are doing.

Im reaching out to other folks who have started a ministry, because of my questions in setting things up. I wanted to give taxes to the government on anthing we collect, but in order to do this I would have to be registered with the IRS as a business(which Im not looking into anymore). Although I did not want to do this, its looking like more and more the way to go would be to register as a nonprofit(which is what it will be) oranization and file 501(c)3 for tax exemption.

If you have travelled down this path, is it difficult? Should I possibly reach out to a company who deals with these things all the time, or should I go at the forms on my own?

Also, does anyone know a group or ministry that would be willing to donate bibles to the homeless? We are trying to pull our funds together to get the word into the hands of street people.

With the coming economic shutdown, we believe that God will use this time to reach many, many more souls. We want to be on the frontlines of the battle.

If you can help or give any information, just know it is well appreciated.

Thank you and God Bless,
Joshua Steffen

[Joyb0218]

Hi Joshua! I think you are doing a wonderful thing. Although I do not have any advice to give you, I was wondering if your pastor or local church could possibly help? Or just possibly point you in the right direction? You may also want to just venture into a library or even call up the IRS and speak with someone. If the Holy Spirit is leading you, you won't go wrong!!

I'm praying for you!!

[beanboy]

What you want to do first is organize as either a corporation or limited liability company in your own state. Once you are recognized by the state, you would then apply to the Federal government for non-profit status using Form 1023. You can download this from their website - www.irs.gov. There is an application fee as well, depending on how what you anticipate your receipts to be. I think it's $300 for a smaller entity, vs. $750 for a larger one.

The application itself is fairly involved, although some of it may not apply to your situation. Look the form and instructions over and see if you think it's something you can handle. If not, have someone else help you with it.

Whatever you do, don't give money to the government if you don't need to. They have proved over and over that they are inefficient, and don't know how to handle the money they do get.

Hope this helps you out. Blessings on your ministry efforts.

[Deepcallstodeep]

Praying the Lord blesses your ministries!

A lawyer helped us set up our non-profit (missionary work in Haiti). He donated some of his time, which made it affordable. I highly recommend getting the help -- even if it's just to look over the completed forms after you finish them (which saves $ because the lawyer, or CPA, or whatever, doesn't fill out the whole thing).

Ask around at other non-profits to see if they know anyone willing to donate some of their time to help you.