Our Foundational Scriptures

“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.’” Luke 4:16-19

This passage serves as a guiding scripture for Lord’s Gym Ministries, shaping our mission to bring hope, practical care, and the Gospel to those in need.

Our Story

Lord’s Gym Ministries began in 1993 in Cincinnati, growing out of FOCAS Ministries, which was established in 1986 by Richard “Dick” Taylor, an executive at GE Aircraft Engines.

Dick’s heart was moved by God during a mission trip to Haiti, an island nation located 700 miles south of Florida with a population of eight million—the poorest country in the world. There, he witnessed firsthand the desperate needs of communities lacking basic resources like education, food, and medical care.

Motivated by God’s call, Dick established FOCAS Ministries to provide practical care and support to the poorest of the poor in Haiti. His vision was to bring hope, restore dignity, and share God’s love with those who were often overlooked.

Inspired by this mission, Dick brought the same heart for service back to his own community. In 1993, Lord’s Gym Ministries was founded in Cincinnati to reach people in need locally—men, women, and children affected by poverty, violence, crime, and addiction. The ministry provides safe spaces, practical care, and opportunities to experience God’s transforming love.

From its beginnings in Haiti to its ongoing work in Cincinnati, Lord’s Gym Ministries continues to live out its mission: to demonstrate God’s love, proclaim the Gospel, and help people grow strong in the Lord.