Open for Ministry

After about four years of praying, planning, fundraising, and renovating, Inasmuch Ministry opened its doors for the first time at the Edge Building, located at 930 Broadway in Fort Wayne, this morning at 9:00 a.m. After prayer time was held by Pastor Alyn Biddle and his staff of one or two dozen volunteers in the waiting room, the doors were opened and more than 60 clients filed into the lobby. In all, sixty-two were served, most of whom sought food, bus passes, and sometimes clothing. A handful came to apply for financial assistance. It is our goal to pray with each of these clients.

It is no great surprise that the waiting room was full, since Inasmuch has been closed to the public since before Christmas. But God flooded the building with volunteer after volunteer as well, and the twelve cubicles on the second floor were all occupied with clients being served. The building was abuzz with ministry.

The future will continue to bring more needs to the ministry. We can easily expect to see more individuals coming through our doors with the economy as it is and with our new, larger location. But with the help of all the volunteers, financial supporters, partnering churches and businesses God continues to provide, we will be able to work more efficiently, make better use of new computerized client-tracking software, and meet the growing and changing needs of the community of Fort Wayne. Our mission is still “helping people in need, offering hope through a relationship with Jesus Christ, and promoting personal responsibility.”

Inasmuch has a vision of being a place “where the body of Christ can minister as one.” That vision was a reality this morning as Christian volunteers from various congregations all over the city served and ministered to clients from every walk of life, through provision for practical needs, as well as prayer and love.

As the prophet Samuel declared, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12.) So we will continue to pray for each need. The Lord has brought us this far, and He is faithful.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NASB)

Our giveaway contest may be closing Monday morning (that is a good thing — it means we are open for ministry!)… Stay tuned for the announcement that we will officially be opening our doors for ministry at the new location, 930 Broadway. Until we open, you can still enter our giveaway contest.

A special thank you to all the volunteers and workers who have worked tirelessly to get this building perfected. The Lord has really done more than we could imagine and we look forward to taking part in His ministry at Inasmuch in 2012!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NASB)

Happy New Year from Inasmuch Ministry

P.S. We hope YOU will come greet us at our new location when we open. Stay tuned… “Greater things are still to be done in this city!”

May the Joy and Peace of Emmanuel be Yours this Christmas.

Inasmuch Ministry

Are you still finishing your Christmas shopping? Hopefully you have been able to finish, even for those relatives who are impossible to shop for.

This week, a family donated to Inasmuch in honor of two relatives, in lieu of traditional Christmas gifts. We were able to provide the recipients with letters to let them know they were being honored in this way, and to let them know the donations are greatly appreciated. We also like to let people know just how donations are used. We are so thankful for our thoughtful and creative supporters!

It’s not too late to remember Inasmuch in your year-end giving.

Since the efforts of EdgeRide2011 at the end of September, our remaining balance on the Edge renovation has been paid down from $170,000 to about $80,000.00. That is more than 50 percent – Glory to God!

You can still help us start this new chapter of ministry out of the red so that all funds can be directed back to our normal ministry expenses. Please consider donating through www.edgeride2011.com or BY MAIL before the end of the year to help us pay off the Edge renovation completely! We are so close… let’s work together and finish!

Please let us know if your donation is in someone’s memory or honor.

Now on to the giveaway!

Here is our Inasmuch Christmas List this year. Help us stay connected with you and get connected with the people you know, that you feel need to know about Inasmuch! We will give away a Blu-Ray/DVD copy of the new movie “Courageous” from Tristar/Sherwood Pictures (Available January 17) in a random drawing of all participants.  The contest is open until the ball drops on New Years’ Eve! The Contest is being extended until we open our doors at the new building – this might be Monday, January 23, 2012. Stay tuned and keep connecting and entering!

Here’s our Christmas list:

1. Subscribe to the blog by email

2. “Like” Inasmuch Ministry on Facebook

3. Follow us on Twitter (@inasmuchbcc)

4. Share this post with a friend on Facebook, Twitter, or Email (using the share buttons at the bottom of this post)

To let us know you are participating, leave a comment in the comment box below. EACH PERSON MAY ENTER UP TO SIX TIMES: one for each item above, including sharing the post separately on Facebook, Twitter or by email. You must leave a separate comment for each entry, letting us know what you did! (I.E., “I shared the post on facebook!”

Thank you for participating and helping us stay connected to bring you the latest news, and for sharing us with friends, pastors, co-workers, businesses, etc. Remember that our mission is:

Helping people in need,
Offering hope through a relationship with Jesus Christ, and
Promoting personal responsibility. 

Blessings,

Inasmuch Ministry

UPDATE: The contest closed at 9:00 am on Monday, January 23, when Inasmuch Opened. 
Congratulations to Grant, the winner of our drawing for the DVD! We will contact you to get you your prize!
Edited Monday, January 23, 2012

The    Edge   Renovation   is  near  completion. As we speak, volunteers are working away so that the final inspections can be scheduled.

Would  you  please take 50 seconds to watch this video, to see what we could use  volunteer help with between today and December 16th?

Hear  from  Bernie  Gump, Project Manager, and get a sneak peak at the new building!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1rk923ASI&feature=feedu

Then,  would  you  consider  getting together a couple friends, family members,    or  your  Sunday  school class or work group and coming to help put on these finishing touches on our building?

This  is  a  very  exciting  time  for  Inasmuch,  and God has done an unbelievable work for us.

Blessings,

Pastor Alyn Biddle

P.S. Please watch the video and consider if you and/or other volunteer workers,   electricians   too,   will   come  and help. **WE HAVE WORK THAT NEEDS COMPLETED THIS WEEK and the next two weeks.** Reply by email, or preferably,  call  me directly at 260-423-2347 ext. 310 to let me know when   your  group can come and help us get move-in ready! In addition to  volunteer  work,  we  still  have  $85,000.00 to raise to have our project  fully  paid off. God bless you for your service and financial support.

A sneak peek at the client waiting room in the newly renovated ministry building for Inasmuch. Handicap-accessible, secure, spacious, permanent (no set-up and tear-down,) organized (real check-in counter,) inviting (hostess will serve coffee)… We plan to move in at the beginning of the year!

This project is a work of God, and a testimony of His faithfulness and provision.

But before we can move in, WE NEED A BIT MORE VOLUNTEER HELP THIS MONTH!

We need the walls and surfaces cleaned, ceiling tile hung, and certified electricians to help finish wiring, before Dec. 16.

Please call our office if you or your work team can help! 260-423-2347 x310.

Our current Office has been a hub of much ministry over the last 25 years. We are thankful to be bursting at the seams!

The newly renovated Edge building will mean we don’t have to squeeze in quite so tight.. And will have greatly improved security, handicap-accessibility, and privacy for clients too!

http://player.vimeo.com/video/26539531

Ken Sanders begins EDGERide2011 tomorrow, Sunday, September 25th!

Riding 1,700 miles between Indiana and St. Augustine, his mission is to raise $100 per mile to get to $170,000 needed to complete the Edge building renovation, which will house the Inasmuch Ministry.

The biggest encouragement to Ken the Rider would be to sponsor him… After all, that is why he is riding! Donate directly through this link:

http://edgeride2011.com/ready/

Ken is doing the hard work. Will you pray for him and sponsor a mile or more?