Nonprofit Archives - Lord's Gym Ministries

WHEN WE BECOME SILENT

by v1sual | Jan 20, 2020 | Cincinnati, Covington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gospel, Jesus, Lords Gym Ministry, Ministry, NKY, Nonprofit, Price Hill

From Guest Blogger Melissa Reinert, Lord's Gym Ministries Communications Coordinator

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is: “Our lives begin to end the day we becom silent about things that matter.”

It’s a powerful and frightening statement.

When we become “silent” the most valuable things we have such as equality and humanity suffer deeply. We see this throughout history.

Today, on this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let’s take it a step further. I believe King’s statement goes beyond the realms of this world.

As a child of God, I think he’s making two points here. No. 1, he’s saying that social injustice does indeed kill and destroy, not just our physical lives, but our emotional, mental and spiritual existence. It doesn’t just harm those who are targeted by injustice for race, religion, addiction, way of life, etc. – it kills the soul of those who are partaking in the injustice, whether proudly supporting it loudly or regrettably accepting it silently.

No. 2, and even more importantly, I believe, that King is saying something spiritual. You see, we are meant to tell others about this great Lord Who came to save the world with truth and love. Jesus says this Himself in Matthew 28: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

God’s love and grace offered through His Son Jesus is by far the thing that matters the most.

What happens if we stop talking about what Jesus has done for us? What happens if we sharing with people what Jesus has done for them?

Death.

You have the cure. So, share it. Tell everyone about Jesus. Keep reading about Him in your Bible and studies. Keep discussing Him among your Christian and non-Christian friends. Keep talking to Him.

Never become silent when it comes to the things that matter; never be silent about Jesus.

– Melissa Reinert

YOLANDA CARTER, LORD’S GYM MINISTRIES BOARD CHAIRWOMAN

by v1sual | Jan 13, 2020 | Cincinnati, Covington, Jesus, Lords Gym Ministry, NKY, Nonprofit, Price Hill

In 2020, we welcome a new chairperson, Yolanda Carter.

Yolanda, 50, of Union, has served on the Lord’s Gym Ministries Board for a year. She has volunteered with the organization for 17 years.

Since introduced to Lord’s Gym Ministries, Yolanda has felt compelled by the heart the organization has for communities in need.

“The leadership and staff that are really living into being the arms, heart and legs for Jesus to those who don’t know Him or those who have accepted Him and are now on the path to living out their faith in their daily lives.”

Yolanda said the work “we do literally saves lives in this life and the next.” She said it never ceases to amaze her to watch the Lord “work His magic all across the Tri-state area.”

According to Yolanda, being board chair, means you are to be a resource, to unlock the potential of others, and grow the network of people and organizations helping to bring Lord’s Gym Ministries vision and mission to life.

As chairwoman, she wants to:

Learn. “I want to grow closer to those we serve to understand their needs.”
Share. “I want to work with partner organizations and individuals to share our vision and mission to bring them along on our journey and grow our outreach.”
Grow. “I also want to support our staff in growing our leadership capabilities as our ministry grows to help ensure we are all equipped to fulfill what God has called us to do in this community and beyond.”

Yolanda’s top tree goals as board chair are:

Ensuring we fulfill Lord’s Gym Ministries’ mission: GO to people in need in Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods, creating safe places, demonstrating God’s love in practical ways by declaring the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, developing disciples for Christ and encouraging self-responsibility.
Helping to create a sustainable financial model that support’s our mission today and in the future.
Building the ability to be fluid and flexible to God’s will.

This chair appointment marks the first time a woman has officially taken the helm. Yolanda, however, doesn’t consider herself to actually be the first woman taking the lead.

“I have a firm conviction that Ann Taylor worked hand in hand with (her husband) Dick to shape and bring this ministry to life,” Yolanda said. “She was an amazing leader with a heart for those in need and an inspiration for me. I hope to be able to continue her legacy…leadership is comes in many forms all of which require a servants heart, a love of people and a powerful prayer life and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit when leading for God.”

FOCAS FOUNDER DICK TAYLOR’S HOME-GOING

by v1sual | Jan 7, 2020 | Lords Gym Ministry, Nonprofit, Uncategorized

FOCAS Founder Dick Taylor

Our good friend, brother in the Lord, and founder of FOCAS, was called home by God on Jan. 2. Read his obituary here: https://bit.ly/DickTaylor.

The funeral service will be 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Montgomery Assembly of God Church in Blue Ash. Viewing is from 4-6.p.m. It is our hope and prayer that you will be able to come to celebrate Dick’s home-going. Please forward this to others as appropriate.

Please, pray for the family as they mourn their loss.

We would also appreciate hearing from you if you’d like to share any found memories of Dick. Email sbowers@focas-us.org.

Here are a few tributes:

“Dick was a remarkable man of God. I worked with Anne years back in Over-the-Rhine at the Lord’s Pantry. Both Dick and Anne and their ministry lives made a lasting impression on me and all those God touches through me now.” – Amy Colleen Kapp

“Dick Taylor was always a source of encouragement to us both personally and in ministry. I don’t remember a conversation with him that he didn’t smile or offer a word of encouragement.” – The Hembree Crew

“Dick and Anne Taylor are beloved friends and ministers of the Derstines and the Christian Retreat church family. They had a mobile home here on campus (in Florida) for years as ‘winter residents.’ Their love for God and people was undeniable and they were always a pleasure to be around. I was blessed to accompany Dick to Haiti on a crusade and also ministered at the gym in Cincinnati a few times. Thanks Dick for your generous support of Christian Retreat and our international mission outreaches. You will never be forgotten and we will catch up with you in heaven. – Pastor Phil Derstine

“We loved Dick and Anne so much and so valued their amazing example and ministry to the body of Christ. I remember hearing testimonies of the ministry in Haiti, serving sandwiches with the Lord’s Pantry, doing open-air ministry-services in the old Washington Park and Christmas caroling in the bars in Over-the Rhine in ’89 and ’90. When we walked through the doors, jukeboxes and TVs were turned off, and respect and attention was shown to Dick and Anne. They earned the respect of everyone they met!! So happy they’ve been reunited in glory with their Savior.” – Jamie Cook