Reasonable Service Ministries, Inc. Annual Report January 1, 2008 December 31, Enterprise Drive Box Verona, WI 53593

Transcription

1 Reasonable Service Ministries, Inc. Annual Report January 1, 2008 December 31, Enterprise Drive Box Verona, WI 53593

2 Table of Contents History... 3 Vision... 3 Mission... 3 Reasonable Service Initiatives Outlook... 9 Financial Information Organization Chart Meet the Board

3 REASONABLE SERVICE MINISTRIES, INC. Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report History For over twenty years, Lloyd and Deborah Biddle have served in marriage ministry encouraging and teaching couples according to the Word of God, helping them to draw closer to one another by focusing on God s plan for marriage. Through Bible studies, seminars and conferences, the Biddle s strive to help strengthen marriages and encourage people in their walk with the Lord. Reasonable Service Ministries, Inc. (RSM) began out of the desire that Lloyd and Deborah have to see strong and growing marriages. In 2004, RSM was organized as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation. In addition to hosting and conducting retreats, conferences and Bible studies, over the years they have partnered with church and para-church organizations to support couples in Illinois and Wisconsin. Whether in monthly group Bible studies, couple-to-couple coaching sessions, one day seminars or weekend retreats, Reasonable Service Ministries strives to help married couples flourish in their relationship as husband and wife through Christ. Lloyd and Deborah believe that preaching and singing the gospel strengthens marriage. Deborah ministers in song while Lloyd preaches the word of God at outreach events and church services throughout each year. Through the ministry of the Word and worship, they endeavor to move the hearts of people while challenging and encouraging them towards a deeper relationship and walk with the Lord. Vision To change lives through the Word of God and move hearts through the ministry of music. Mission We are committed to teaching biblical principles with clarity and practicality in order to strengthen marriages and encourage people in their walk with the Lord. Additionally, we are committed to proclaiming God's goodness and greatness in song to encourage people and bless the heart of God. 3

4 Reasonable Service Ministries Initiatives Reasonable Service Ministries has earned a strong reputation for our ability to clearly teach the word of God and deliver practical insights to support married couples. RSM continues to study and research issues that affect couples, taking the truth of God s word and applying it to the concerns married couples face today. In addition to worship services, we serve over 600 people annually under six different initiatives. The current major initiatives are: Conferences & Retreats Outreach Events Newsletters Seminars Publications World Wide Web 4

5 Conferences & Retreats Our conferences & retreats provide relevant and clear Bible teaching and training geared toward building strong marriages and families. We held our first Journey of A Lifetime retreat April 25-27, 2008 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI. Eight couples attended and were uniquely blessed by the intimate setting, casual format and fellowship opportunities as well as the teaching and encouragement presented by Lloyd, Deborah and Dr. Cris Eastin (Christian marriage and family psychologist from Madison, WI). In addition, we conducted the Mt. Sinai Institutional Baptist Church Marriage Conference in Northbrook, IL, October 24-26, About Journey of A Lifetime Retreats Marriage can be defined as a journey marked by exciting adventures, happy trails, detours and sometimes even a roadblock or two. The key is to be prepared as you travel along the way. The Journey of a Lifetime Retreat and Seminars are designed to help couples navigate the road to a healthy marriage. The Journey of a Lifetime retreat is a weekend marriage retreat that teaches God's design for marriage in a casual, relaxed and fun environment. It is a wonderful time for couples to rejuvenate good marriages or restore troubled ones. What attendees have to say about the Journey of a Lifetime Retreat... "Thank you for blessing us with our marriage retreat. It was a tremendous blessing. I see how the Lord has been working on me." "The interaction was wonderful for the soul." "The session on commitments helped us talk through and focus on areas that we usually overlook." "We enjoyed the downtime. We are thankful for this marriage weekend." "The retreat was great! Thank you." "We look forward to attending your next retreat." 5

6 Outreach Events Reasonable Service Ministries also delivers anointed Christian music and powerful preaching via outreach events, concerts and worship services. At every opportunity, the goal is to point people to God s word and steer them toward deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ. During 2008, Lloyd and Deborah ministered together with the preached word and in song three times in Bloomington, IL at the Jesus House. In addition, Deborah ministered at several churches in Wisconsin including, Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Bethel Lutheran Church. She also performed at A Night of Praise in Madison, WI as well as at Daisy s Resource Center Telethon (for disadvantaged young and adult women) at Comcast Studios in North Chicago, IL. 6

7 Newsletters We provide marriage related information and encouragement in the form of regular newsletter updates. The Reasonable Service Review (RSR) newsletter is a vehicle to inspire readers to take practical steps towards strengthening their marriages. RSM ed our first issue of the Reasonable Service Review on March 31, In 2008, we issued the RSR thirteen times. Our goal is to issue the newsletter once each month with additional special greetings and announcements throughout the each year. Comments about Reasonable Service Review newsletter: I thank you for all the information. I will read and ponder it...we can always use new weapons in this battle to keep things united! Just wanted to tell you guys how much we enjoy this. This month s topic was especially good and well handled! Definitely a great reminder for us. I'm just writing to encourage you both and thank you for Reasonable Service Ministries. My husband and I are both ministers and recognize so many of the issues and situations that you both lift up. Keep up the good work. I will remember to share this resource regularly with people as we continue this journey. I love reading the newsletter! Very Inspiring! The newsletter is a great conversation starter for my husband and I. Thanks! Could I send this out to my group ? I have enjoyed getting the newsletters and think that it would be beneficial for others to get it as well. I am engaged to a wonderful woman and we will be getting married in June of Thank you for your s. I did, indeed, find this, our first issue, informative and spiritually enriching. Thank you. Reading Lloyd's well chosen words about Oath was good for my heart and spirit. Even though I am single, I believe that many principles apply to all relationships. Great job, great information, great ministries. 7

8 Seminars Our, Journey of a Lifetime half day and full day seminars are conducted to encourage married couples while teaching God's plan for husbands and wives. We provide Bible-based instruction and incorporate break out sessions as well as small group discussions. In 2008, we presented a mini-seminar in conjunction with the release of the FireProof movie. Using the movie as a springboard, we discussed some of the steps husbands and wives can use to safeguard their marriages. Approximately 15 couples attended the event, which was sponsored by the Married Couples Fellowship at High Point Church, Madison, WI. Publications Reasonable Service Ministries offers published materials, which compliment information presented in conferences and seminars. Among the publications are books and booklets on topics related to marriage, parenting and worship. Our first book publication, Proverbs for a Young Man: Positive Words to Bless Your Life, is in the editing phase and in slated for release in Fall In the meantime, we continue to write articles, pamphlets and conference materials and make them available to ministry participants. World Wide Web At our web site, we provide pertinent information on how to contact Reasonable Service Ministries, identify programs and events and read what we believe. We also show visitors how to find out more about us and read archived articles previously issued in our monthly newsletter. In the future, we will show visitors how to place orders for publications, as well as listen to current and archived messages and music via MP3 streaming and downloads. 8

9 2009 Outlook RSM is already preparing to present sessions at the June 27-28, 2009 marriage retreat for Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Madison, WI. The retreat will be held at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI. We are also praying and planning for additional conference, seminar and outreach engagements this year. We will continue to issue our monthly newsletter and maintain our website. RSM will endeavor to publish its first book along with booklets to supplement conference presentations. In addition to conferences, seminars, outreach events and publications, RSM will launch it s first fundraising campaign. Our prayer is that we ll be able to broaden our scope of service and meet the requests for us to travel beyond Dane County, WI to minister to married couples and encourage people who seek comfort and wholeness in Christ. 9

10 Financial Information 2008 RSM Financial Statement Beginning Balance, January 1, , Income Contributions 2, Honorariums Retreat Registration Fees 1, Total Income 4, Expense Travel (1,216.31) Office Expenses (533.33) Retreat Expenses (4,079.43) Resources & Research Materials (334.88) Internet & Expenses (330.01) Other (150.00) Total Expense (6,643.96) Ending Balance, December 31,

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12 Reasonable Service Ministries, Inc. Organization Structure President & Secretary Deborah Biddle Advisory Board of Directors Treasurer & Director Lloyd Biddle Director Vernon Clark Director Doris Hill Director Karen Vaughn 12

13 Meet The Board Deborah Biddle, President Deborah Biddle is the devoted wife to Rev. Lloyd Biddle and mother to Jason and Jared. Alongside her husband, she operates Reasonable Service Ministries, Inc., a not-for-profit ministry with the vision to change lives through the Word of God and move hearts through the ministry of music. Deborah serves as a deaconess, worship leader, choir member, women s Bible study leader and small group leader at High Point Church in Madison, WI. She is an anointed recording artist and a featured soloist with the Highway to Heaven Big Band Gospel Project. Deborah Biddle received her bachelor s degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and master of business administration in accounting from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago, Illinois. Two of Deborah s favorite verses are: I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1) and I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Psalm 104:33-34 (KJV) 13

14 Lloyd Biddle, Treasurer & Director Lloyd Biddle is the loving husband of Deborah and father of sons, Jason and Jared. A graduate of the University of Illinois and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, Lloyd works as the Field Sales Support Director in Investment Products at American Family Insurance. Lloyd is a licensed minister and is currently enrolled at Wheaton College in the Master of Theological and Biblical Studies Program. He serves as a deacon, small group leader and usher at High Point Church in Madison, WI. The guiding life principle for Rev. Lloyd Biddle is: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 14

15 Vernon Clark, Director Vernon Clark is a Dean at Evanston Township High School. He holds a BA in Music Education, from Livingstone College; a MM in Music Education, from Northwestern University; and a CAS from National-Louis University, in Educational Leadership. Vernon is also the founder and director of Heirs of Joy, a singing ministry and the Minister of Music at the First Church of God Christian Life Center in Evanston, IL. A native Virginian, Vernon gives all praise to God for his accomplishments and continues to strive for excellence in all that he does. 15

16 Doris Thomas Hill, Director Doris Thomas Hill has a long service record of lifting spirits, as well as the socioeconomic standing of her fellow citizens and humankind. Her motto is: To love, to serve, to give, to touch others profoundly and eternally for Christ s sake. Her favorite scripture is: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) Doris believes that the service she gives is the price she pays for the space she occupies on this earth. She is often heard to say, I don t want to be behind in my rent! She is convinced that how she lives her life as a follower of Christ is her legacy to the world, because in the end -- Only what she does for Christ will last! Doris is the widow of Dr. Alfred DeWayne Hill, who was former pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church for 26 years and Professor of Religion and Philosophy at LeMoyne Owen College. She is the mother of one son, Alfred DeWayne Hill, II. A graduate of the University of Memphis, Doris received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management with a minor in Sociology. Doris worked for KRAFT FOODS as a Senior Manager of Human Resources and retired in Doris believes that she is accountable for the knowledge, resources, talents and gifts with which God has blessed her and aspires to use them responsibly and in His honor. Of the many civic and community initiatives where Doris spends her time, the one of which she is most proud is the ESPN (Education, Scholarship, Preparation, Nurture) Academy where she serves as Founder and Executive Director. 16

17 Karen Vaughn, Director Karen Vaughn is the Sr. Director, Human Resources Kraft North America at the Glenview Headquarters Site of Kraft Foods. She is a graduate of Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois and the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where she studied speech communications and public policy and graduated with honors. Born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois, Karen learned the importance of giving back to the community at an early age. Her home church, Trinity A.M.E. Church in Waukegan has maintained a long legacy of religious and civic leadership in Lake County, IL. As a result of the many good examples she observed there, she has always given generously of herself to both church and community. Karen has been active in music ministry since age 11 and served as choir director and praise team member at Waukegan Baptist Bible Church over a 10-year period. She has also been deeply involved in women s and single s ministry. She currently worships at Harvest Chapel Church in Gurnee, IL and serves in small group and music ministry. In addition, Karen is currently serving her second term on the board of directors for A Safe Place, Lake County Crisis Center. 17