We do various aspects of ministry including:
Educational Initiatives: We train and equip development workers through our partnership with academic training programs such as the Institute for GOD & The Academy for GOD, and through Summer Internship programs for students to gain exposure to ministry abroad, and Creatives Arts programming.
Community Service: such as youth programming, immigrant & refugee care initiatives, widow & elderly care, and more!
Third World Development: the work we do abroad to implement programs we do here, there, along with efforts to help empower and assist local communities of need in their area of need. This incudes initiatives in Public Health Education, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture, and more. We work in such regions as Latin America (El Salvador), East Africa (Uganda & Kenya), India, and South East Asia (Leyte, the Philippines)
Gregg Garner founded G.O.D. Int’l in 1996 and has served as the leader of the organization since its inception.
There is an elected body of members (between 9 and 12) called “The Assembly” who determine yearly project goals, budgets and potential program launches, including the use of funding. The assembly is a one-year position and can only be served in two consecutive terms.
There are also 12 Directors who are responsible for the day-to-day management of programs and implementation of projects. Subordinate to the Directors are Managers, who oversee other employees. Directors are appointed by the President and are approved by the assembly. They serve a two-year term, but there are no term limits.
There is also an appointed trio of various members called “The Council” who resolve administrative or conceptual conflicts, and bring accountability for decisions that may or may not be consistent with the organization’s vision. This trio is appointed case-by-case.
Zero. We do not perform any formal “marketing.” We do not purchase advertisements for magazines or online forums. Our organization has grown organically, through word of mouth and the testimony of individuals whose lives have been transformed by what they have learned and experienced here. One friend told another, who brought with them one or two or ten. People have been drawn in by the genuine excitement of a group of people living lives of service to God.
We are a nonprofit organization, so our costs are solely operational. Any funds raised beyond that purpose go towards the mission of the organization.
We do everything we can to maximize our efforts while minimizing our costs.
Our support comes from program revenue, generous individual support, business support and fundraisers. Our programs are not designed to make revenue as a primary goal, but they do help us pay for operating expenses.
We are able to minimize costs through a large volunteer base and requirements on our staff to perform general maintenance. We occasionally receive foundational and government grants. We also run an annual program that evaluates all of our inventory and assets to determine whether or not we still need them. If we are no longer in need of certain equipment, it is resold and the proceeds are used to offset our operating costs.
Financial integrity demands that financial stewardship is a priority within our accounting. It is very important to us that we strive to lead lives that are pleasing to God, and this includes all aspects of our lives, especially our finances. Good financial stewardship is the priority within our accounting practices. We have a team of trained in-house bookkeepers who work in conjunction with a local CPA firm to ensure proper fiscal management, protocols, and controls. In addition, we have a separate independent accounting/auditing firm perform a financial audit on our organization on a yearly basis.
Members progressively increase their frequency and duration of time abroad over the course of their cumulative years in the organization. Initially, a 5-7 week service mission per year is required for training purposes, twice within the first two years. Then a 12-16 week service mission the following year for continued training purposes. Then a 6-month service mission with a major project to be implemented according to their service expertise. After their 6-month immersion, members can be deployed multiple times a year, for weeks or months at a time, depending on the nature and size of the project or program being implemented. These members who have gone through the necessary requirements for full-time development agent status, are on call year round and can even be deployed for years, indefinitely.
Prior to being certified development agents, during their training, members often depend on public support, fundraisers, and personal funds. As an organization, for our qualified development agents, we integrate members into one of our business structures, some non-profit, some for-profit, that are based in the region of service. Based on the philosophy of “tent-making” (something the Apostle Paul did to support himself) agents are paid a living wage and are able to serve in the non-profit work having their needs met. This model prevents dependency on the West’s financial situation for charitable support. Although, charitable support is appreciated, and even requested, we think it best to direct such funding to projects, programs, and the needy, rather than our personnel.
The amount of time varies, based upon the completion of certain pre-requisites. They are as follows:
Education:
Post-Secondary degree in development work. (4 - 6 years)
Certification or Graduate degree in an area of focus. (1 - 3 years)
Experience:
Two 5-7 week learning immersion trips to destination region
One 12-16 week study abroad where language, customs, and skills development are emphasized
One 4-7 month trip for project, or program implementation in destination region
Review:
Having completed the above #1 and #2 an interview with a select review committee is conducted for final approval.
Sure! We would love to have you. Just send us an email at info@godintl.org and we would love to give you a tour of our facility, and invite you to experience all that’s going on!