Where
there is no vision a people will perish
The above scripture comes from Proverbs 29 verse 18. This
scripture only enhances ones understanding of the historical
significance of El Shaddai International Ministries- for it
speaks directly to the essence of El Shaddai. El Shaddai is
the vision that will prevent this congregation from perishing.
As El Shaddai approaches the monumental event of paying its
church off, it is important historically to reflect on how
El Shaddai came into existence. It has become an entity like
no other in a short span of time and has given to many a vision
to aspire to, a goal to attain, and a journey to begin. Through
the reflections of Pastor Marvin Joe Jackson (Pastor Marvin),
the heart of El Shaddai, the history of this expanding ministry
is given an enlightened stature that all can encompass and
use to comprehend their vision, their goal, and their ultimate
journey with El Shaddai- God Almighty.
The history of El Shaddai International Ministries did in
no way begin with the opening of its doors on December 3,
2000, but rather with a chance outing by Pastor Marvin. Looking
for residential property in December of 1999, Pastor Marvin
came upon a boarded up building that had no life or vibrancy
to it. Upon looking at the boarded up building Pastor Marvin
commented, “that would make a nice church.” At
the time of these thoughts and ideas, Pastor Marvin had not
been called to the pastoral ministry. He deemed himself a
musician and was “satisfied with doing the music thing.”
Life, though, is a series of journeys that we as God’s
people must be willing to take and endure, thus Pastor Marvin
began his journey into the pastoral ministry and the church
building that would become El Shaddai International Ministries.
Through a prophetic word from a friend Pastor Marvin propelled
his journey forward as the Shepard to God’s people.
A simple dream in January of 2000 changed Pastor Marvin’s
outlook on what his journey with God would be. With great
vivid clarity, the Lord, through a dream, showed Pastor Marvin’s
friend his future church. Depicted was a building in Grandview
that had brown grass surrounding the entire domain. A multitude
of nationalities of people were envisioned, and the amazing
piece of this dream was the simple term “spring.”
The significance of all these pieces in a prophetic dream
came into clear focus one Sunday afternoon when Pastor Marvin
asked his friend to meet him in Grandview to look at this
boarded up property. At first sight tears began to fall from
the eyes of Pastor Marvin’s friend. The building that
stood before them was the exact building envisioned in the
dream. Brown grass had surrounded the domain for it was the
month of January. The building resided in Grandview, MO.,
a pivotal detail revealed in the dream. The firm confirmation
of this prophecy came with the revelation of what the term
“spring” meant. The term “spring”
did not refer to springtime or even spring water, but rather
Spring Street. The pieces of the dream finally fit together
and the vision and journey for Pastor Marvin became clear.
At that very moment, in his suit clothes, the Spirit of the
Lord said to Pastor Marvin to walk the full length of the
building for as he told Abraham “everywhere your foot
shall trod I am going to give it to you.”
Pastor Marvin quickly began to gather information on this
building, a building that was a long way from being a church.
He first went around the neighborhood inquiring about the
building. Through simple footwork that day, Pastor Marvin
discovered that the building was formally the Villa Nursing
Home and that it had been vacant for five years. He was also
able to locate the former owners. With these findings Pastor
Marvin was able to begin the tremendous task of negotiating-
in February of 2000- the deal that would place in his hands
the building that would become El Shaddai International Ministries.
“In the multitude of council there is safety.”
The prophetic dream was now confirmed, previous owners sought
out, negotiations begun, but in the midst of all that, hesitation
still lingered in the air. Thus Pastor Marvin sought out advice
from close family and friends. Initially, no one saw the vision
of this building becoming a worship center. Many thought Pastor
Marvin to be crazy, yet Pastor Marvin realized that the vision
was give to him and that his family, friends, and future congregation
were to be the vision carriers.
With this revelation in hand Pastor Marvin continued forward
with his actions to create El Shaddai International Ministries.
Pastor Marvin felt, though, as if God was telling him to “write
the vision and make it plain.” A plan had to be put
into motion in order for this vision to come to fruition.
It was important for Pastor Marvin to understand that the
time for preaching was not yet here, but rather the time for
planning and pursuing finance were the two key factors that
needed immediate attention. He need not preach right at that
moment because the preacher was already in him. However, the
solid foundation on which to place El Shaddai International
Ministries was not quite solid. Planning every facet of the
ministry would solidify the foundation that El Shaddai would
eventually sit upon. Therefore before any traditional church
events- sermons, bible study- took place Pastor Marvin insisted
on having in place the fundamental structures that sustain
a church. Pastor Marvin insisted on having the following structures
in place to insure a solid foundation for El Shaddai:
- A bank account
- A mission statement
- Having the church incorporated
- Having a Federal id number for the church
- Acquiring state tax exemption status for the church
- Getting a 5013C- which is the National non-for profit
status
- Establishing a board of directors
- Creating a website, letterhead, and business cards
- Having Dove, Grant, and Thornton write a professional
business plan
- Having the accounting records done by a prestigious
firm
- (and) Finally having architectural renderings done of
a building not yet owned
Pastor Marvin understood the importance of having every area
of ministry in the church defined- for faith without works
is dead. The church now had structure, which was a pivotal
key to obtaining financial backing from banks.
Initially every bank that Pastor Marvin went to denied any
type of financial backing without at least seeing a three-year
history of the church. The actions of the devil did not prevent
Pastor Marvin, though, from pursuing this vision that was
placed in his hands. He continued to negotiate with the 7-day
eventists, the previous owners and felt as if God had given
him favor with the 7-day eventists- for a part of his approach
to ministry, that of being holistic and ministering to the
whole body, mind, and soul, blended well with the holistic
creed and philosophy of the 7-day eventists. During negotiations
the cash sum of $5000 was needed as good faith money for the
building. Keep in mind no bank up to this time would extend
to Pastor Marvin any type of financial support without having
a three year history. Once again the devil’s actions
did not deter Pastor Marvin for he is a man who walks by faith
and not by sight. This faith, along with a small group of
initial members pledging money to raise the $5000 enabled
Pastor Marvin to continue with negotiations.
With negotiations going smoothly, the time had come for the
traditional events of the church to begin. Initial members
voiced an interest in having bible study. Pastor Marvin responded
to this interest by having bible study in the basement of
his home. The number of individuals coming out for bible study
grew so intensely that Pastor Marvin needed to move it to
the Brushcreek Community Center. For two months, every Tuesday
night Pastor Marvin and the initial members of El Shaddai
met for bible study. During that brief period Pastor Marvin
closed on the building, which is now El Shaddai International
Ministries.
It was a long tedious process that covered a time span of
eleven months, but within that eleven- month time period Pastor
Marvin along with his members worked in the spirit of excellence.
Through simple acts such as paying a lawn service to maintain
the grounds, paying $687.93 for a 4 by 6 sign to place on
land not officially owned by El Shaddai, by remaining faithful
with ones offering and tithes El Shaddai International Ministries
was able to open its doors on December 3, 2000 and expand
on its spirit of excellence. The sheer determination and faith
of a few brought to many new hope and luxurious aspirations
to begin their journey with El Shaddai (God Almighty).
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