Today the First Lady of the United States of America annouced the nations commitment to fight childhood obesity. Well today I announce as well my commitment to childhood obesity. My commitent is to lead by example. It is my desire to share on a consistent basis my journey of weigh loss. My goal is to get to 225 lbs. The last time i weight that amount i was 21 years old. Many moons ago.

So please stay tuned for updates and pray requests as i embark on this fantastic voyage.

Me (far left) and a few of my friends at a Oct 2009 church reunion. In this picture I am 357 lbs.

In this pic with my wife i am 330.6 lbs. ( Feb 5, 2010)

STAY TUNED FOR MORE PICS SEEING LESS AND LESS OF ME (pounds that is)

The current economic crisis in America and most other countires in the world can give people reason to worry. With people losing their jobs in record numbers, forclosures, reposessions, credit charge offs, savings and investments decreasing, donations to non-profits significantly decreasing and whatever else you can name, its happening. With all the forementioed, some believe it is now official time to start worrying.

The passage of scripture basically reminds us that God sustains nature. He takes care of the animals (vs.26) and he takes care of the plants (vs. 28, 30). Then the writer reminds us that we are of more value to God than the birds, the lillies and grass so we should not worry or be anxious about our needs or sustainability (vs 31).

The "b" clause of verse 32 gives us the second of two reasons why we should not, "for your heavenly father knows that you need them all." Isn't that great to hear that we dont have to worry or be anxious for our basic needs becuase our heavenly father knows that we need them all. But i want to go one step further. We don't have to worry or be anxious about anything becuase our heavenly father knows everything that we need albeit basic or not.

So as you go throughout your day, your week, this rest of this month, this year and your life, remember that God know whats you need of.

So is it time to worry? No, it is not.

Although I would not have described the young men as ghetto boys, I do think it was wonderful that he decided to help some young men who were not as fortunate as he was.

I guess he was highlighted because in his culture it is not to common for someone like him to take in urban youth but it got me thinking about all the people in the “hood” that do it all the time.

I can think of countless women in my community where I grew up and where I live now that took in many kids. My dad took in four from our neighborhood. No one seems to highlight them. No one seems to tell their story. I wonder why.

Well, for all those like my dad, in communities like North Philly and West Dallas who have ever taken in kids who needed shelter and loving guardians, for what it's worth, Ed Franklin says THANK YOU.

Well, it all started in a summer session of Greek II at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. I was in class taking a refresher for the upcoming Greek II in the fall. There was a break in the class, and I turned and noticed an older African American male in the back of the class taking notes. I started towards him to share with him that this is a hard class, and maybe he should start with Greek I instead. He accepted my polite gesture and then asked me what I was struggling with in the class. I told him, and he then took me aside and started writing and speaking perfect Greek. I immediately turned to him and asked who he was. He said, “My name is Elliot Greene, and I am a professor here at Westminster.” I said, “No you are not because I know all the professors, and you are not one of them.” He then told me about the WTS Dallas campus (now Redeemer Theological Seminary) and suggested that I come down to Dallas to take Greek with him. I agreed. And the summer of 2002, I came to Dallas.

While here that summer, I stayed with and had a lot of time to talk with Steve Vanderhill, who is now the President of Redeemer Seminary. At that time, he was the Vice President of Westminster Theological Seminary. I shared with him my passion for urban ministry and my ideas for God's people in "the hood."

After completing of Greek I, II, and III (in which I received all A's by the way) I returned to Philadelphia and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Religion and a Masters of Divinity. Soon after, I married a wonderful woman and was working full-time at Northwestern Human Services as a behavioral specialist and mobile therapist for kids, and part-time as the Director of Outreach at the then "8th Street Baptist Church" in Wilmington, Delaware. One month before my first child was born, I got a call from Steve Vanderhill about a job opportunity here in Dallas. It was with a West Dallas ministry called Mercy Street. They wanted me to come and start an urban Bible institute. After the interview with Trey, I went back to Philadelphia, prayed about it, talked it over with my wife, and was led to decline the offer. However, I did inform them that I was still passionate about community transformation and mercy ministries. Trey Hill, the E.D. of Mercy Street, then informed me of the job opportunity at Voice of Hope.

I flew down again to meet with some board members, including a three hour interview with one of them, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I am glad that the Lord blessed me with this opportunity. I really enjoy what I do. I was born to do ministry. I was born to shepherd God’s sheep. Many people do not have jobs that they love. I praise the Lord that I do.

He goes on to suggest 5 ways to get customers back in the habit of buying from you and I thought I would revise them to suggest to my fellow non profit leaders 3 ways to get our donors to keep supporting us.

1. Try to get your donor to donate something – anything.

During these times we want our donors to donate anything to us. Our goal is to get them to continue to support you with any amount of money. Once the donor commits at this level for a month or longer then you can strategize ways for them to increase their gift. Neale, states that the goal here is to reestablish purchase behavior and I say the goal here is to establish or reestablish donor loyalty and consistent giving.

2. Recognize the reason that the donor initially donated to you may no longer hold.

In the book “ The Seven Faces of philanthropy: A New Approach to Cultivating Major Donors” Russ Prince and Karen File state that there are a myriad of concerns, interests, needs, and motivations to why people give. And sometimes those reasons change. Spend some time with your donors to determine if you, the organization or the population you serve still have relevance to them or if there interests have changed.

3. Listen to your donors

Often we share and share and share about our organizations and all the good we are doing but we may not take as much time to listen to the donor. Feedback is good and can help you refine your approach to prospect development or donor care.

These are three approaches that we have tried to implement in our organization. I will let you know how and if they are successful.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions to maintain or increasing gifts during these times? If so, please share them in the comments.