Forming a non-profit is a long and exhaustive project. The paperwork alone now stands at 33 pages of original writing from yours truly, perhaps I’ll call it my first book. One of the primary questions that has come up again and again is how to categorize what we’re doing,  we can either categorize ourselves as a “Humanitarian Aid Organization” or as a “Religious Organization” per IRS code.

Suggestions have come from advisors on why we should go one way or another, with the primary suggestion being to form as a Humanitarian Aid Org due to its versatility in ‘closed’ countries which won’t allow religious organizations to operate.

I appreciate the wisdom that we have been offered and I am confident that everyone has had our best in mind. Yet again and again, I hear the Spirit calling us to establish Retouch as a Religious organization. My reasons are fairly simple; first, We want to be able to share the awesome works of God without censoring and second, we are not interested in being the next “social justice initiative”.

The Awesome works of God:

I like the way Bill Johnson says it…

It’s too easy to reduce Jesus’ teaching to what is humanly possible. While we love to feed the poor, clothe the naked, and visit those in need (such acts of kindness are essential expressions of the Christian life), we refuse to let them satisfy that internal drive for effective service. He specifically used the term “good works” to describe the miracles, signs, and wonders He performed. Jesus modeled these works for us. He didn’t design a new hearing aid or train a Seeing Eye dog. He healed the deaf and the blind.

If we limit ourselves to being a Hum. Aid Org we also limit ourselves to be the testimony of Jesus in regard to the miraculous, church-planting and other “ministerial” functions. We are creating Retouch to be an expression of the Kingdom of God, all things included. Our desire to be able to share the full testimony with our friends and family, the only way to do this completely is through establishing a Religious Organization.

Social Justice Initiative:

Along the same lines as the ‘awesome works of God’, we are not interested in being the next Social Justice thing nor are we looking to be friendship evangelists. So many have quoted St. Francis “Preach the Gospel and when necessary use words” to promote a toothless and non-evangelistic Gospel. We want everyone to feel happy about getting food but we are fearful of giving them the bread of life through proclamation. Proclaiming the Gospel has never been popular and never will be, the sooner we get over that and couple it with total love, the better off we’ll be. It’s not that we’re against groups that are just building wells or just distributing food, but who is going to tell them about Jesus? Isn’t that always necessary? Either we believe He’s more than enough or we don’t.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t post enough these days. Let’s just say life is a bit busy.

We are working 80+ hours a week, planning a 4-month excursion into Africa and getting our american life together before we head out in a few short weeks.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we pray, plan and prepare (alliteration!) for the very near future.

A few things on the list:

• that our non-profit paperwork will go smoothly and recieve quick approval!
• For FAVOR in regards to finances and plane tickets.
• Clarity about our time in Mozambique
• Unity and Intimacy in our marriage