Launching a Ministry without Donations?
What is the “Secret Recipe” for developing and expanding a ministry without donors and absolutely no email list? The answer is simple, but nonetheless hard…..RADICAL OBEDIENCE!
God’s method to reach the world has always been to find men and women who have a heart to serve and a willingness to follow him NO MATTER THE COST…….and our friends, Doug & Dilcia Miller do just that.
Whilst preaching at ‘The Rock Church’ in Asheville, North Carolina I first met Dalcia and Doug Gamero. Their story of both mission and entrepreneurship is truly inspiring. A vision and creative thinking have made their dream to bring transformation in Nicaragua possible.
Be inspired by their story:
Ministry Background
In 2012 while on a mission trip to her home country of Nicaragua, Dilcia Gamero sensed a calling to begin an Outreach Ministry in Nicaragua. El Taller del Maestro (Jesus Workshop) was incorporated as a nonprofit and began doing food outreaches in Nicaragua in 2013.
The purpose of El Taller del Maestro is to share the hope of the Gospel by meeting the tangible needs of individuals and communities. As the Ministry has developed partnerships in Nicaragua, its impact has broadened to include Medical Clinics, Sustainable Agriculture Projects, Community Development, School Supply Distribution, Disabilities & Elderly Outreaches, At-Risk Youth Mentoring and the development of a Regional Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center. The Ministry also partners financially with Regional and Global Ministry partners to extend its outreach beyond the borders of Nicaragua.
In 2017 construction began on Oasis del Maestro, a 100-bed Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation/Vocational Training Center located on 16 acres in El Jicaro, Nicaragua. The centre will provide Medical Detox and a 120-day residential in-patient Drug & Alcohol program. At the end of 120 days, residents will be able to transition to an on-site 180 day Vocational Training and supportive living Program. All services will be offered free of charge. The centre is staged to open in June of this year (2021).
Oasis del Maestro
Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation/Vocational Training Center
Men’s Rehab Home
Women’s Rehab Home
Ministry Funding Model – “Our Day Job”
The Ministry has been self-funded since its inception in 2013. Less than ½ of 1% of its annual revenue is provided by donations. The Ministry has used business profits from Dilcia’s HR/Payroll Company to support ongoing outreaches, construction of the rehabilitation centre, and continued expansion through the years. The Lord has been abundantly Faithful and continues to financially bless Dilcia’s Business allowing continued Ministry Development.
E
xpansion Projects Funding Model – “A Vacation with a Purpose”
The launch of the Rehabilitation Center will require a significant increase in monthly revenue. Once the Center is open, the annual budget immediately doubles its current totals. To offset the additional needed revenue, the Lord has led the Ministry to develop Vacation Rental Properties hosting them through Airbnb. The Ministries Home Base is in Leicester, NC. (United States) surround by the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (Near Asheville). The area is a sought-after destination for regional vacations offering unlimited culinary experiences, hundreds of square miles of mountains, unending outdoor recreation and varied regional culture of mountain towns both large and small.
In 2018 the ministry (using private lending and funds from personal business profits) acquired 9.5 acres of land, including an already existing 3-bedroom house. A complete remodel of the main home and buildout of the walkout basement was completed. The main upper unit was launched in 2019 on Airbnb and the second unit in 2020. Both units have been consistently booked each month, throughout the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic. The units offer remote check-in and strict COVID-19 guidelines for the safety and wellbeing of guests. In the Fall of 2020, the Ministry acquired a 2nd property in East Asheville offering a 3rd unit that will launch on Airbnb in March (2021) of this year.
The Ministries 5-year plan is to continue to build and develop units on the remaining original 9 acres of land to provide an estimated 20+ vacation rental units for guests. All proceeds from vacation rentals are used to fund the expansion of Ministry outreaches and the monthly cost necessary to provide free Rehabilitation Services to those in need in Nicaragua.
For more information regarding vacation rentals visit www.fieldsofgraceproperties.com (Note: This is our rental website that links through to the Airbnb Hosting Site)