From Theory to Reality

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Carl

I’ve been talking quite a bit lately about the business model that I call Simplicity Solutions that is meant to run along side the ministry of Simplicity. One of the 4 purposes of Simplicity Solutions is to create business opportunities for those who are getting back on their feet.

There are currently two people that God has put into my life that fit that description. Both have overcome difficult odds and by God’s grace have made the choice to move beyond the past. In both cases finding work has been difficult due to transportation, education, related work experience, etc…

Today the Lord impressed upon me that it was time to move Simplicity Solutions from theory to reality. So I established dealer relationships for both of them with Fuller Brush Company. Starting next week we will begin canvassing businesses and neighborhoods with Fuller Catalogs working to build their businesses. It is my responsibility to help them be successful in this venture, so I will work very closely with them in the early stages to get them moving forward quickly.

It will be interesting to see where this part of the journey takes us, but I believe when all is said and done God intends to leave us all in awe of His work on our behalf.

If you would like to see what Fuller Brush has to offer, we would love to have you as our customer. Please visit www.fullerbrushsolutions.com to see our product lines.

The Wonderful Ways of God

Posted on January 14, 2009 by Carl

Today my business partner and I met with the factory rep for the Spinner II product that his company sells. My business partner had asked me at the end of last week if I would change my relationship from that of a consultant to that of a key player in the company. He and I share the same vision of using commerce as a means of bringing Christ into the market place and furthering the ministry work of God’s kingdom.

I shared with him, that my concern was the same as with my own companies…I can see the future potential, but what do I do to pay today’s expenses. At that moment my friend said, “I meant to tell you I’m going to pay you the X dollars you need each month to make ends meet.” I asked him if we could stop right there and I expressed my gratitude to the Lord for His glorious provisions.

I taught Sunday on Jesus feeding the 5,000. As part of the teaching I talked about the need to look for the places that God is bringing order to the chaos of our circumstances. For example Jesus instructed the crowd to be seated, but then he had them divided into groups of 50 and 100. Jesus was bringing order to the chaos as he brought the miracle of the feeding into full view.

I have been watching the Lord bring order to my friend’s business for the past 3 months and have had a strong sense that we were about to see an amazing move of God in it. Today I am even more convinced that the hand of God will be unmistakable in the days to come. The Lord has been preparing me this week by having me study Gideon once again. Gideon was addressed by the Angel of the Lord as a “Mighty Warrior.” This title was not an accurate description of Gideon at that moment in time, but instead described the man God would transform him into.

The molding of this journey has been difficult, but the crucible is a place of refinement for the fulfilling of our God given purpose.

Exciting Times

Posted on January 3, 2009 by Carl

These are certainly exciting times for me. Tomorrow we will have our first baptism service since launching Simplicity. I will have the privilege of baptizing 3 who have put their faith in Christ. We will be conducting the baptisms at Emerald Beach along the Corpus Christi bayfront.

This week, I finally got my dealership materials to begin the primary businesses of Simplicity Solutions. Simplicity Solutions is the for profit enterprise that will be used to support my family, fund the work of Simplicity Church Network, help church planters develop businesses to support their families and create businesses for those trying to get on their feet.

After much searching I narrowed down my MLM ventures to four companies that offer a wide range of product:

Amsoil – Synthetic oils and lubricants for automotive and industrial applications
Aggrand – Organic fertilizers and supplements for agriculture (part of the Amsoil family)
Amway Global – They’ve moved beyond soap and granola bars and now partner with mainline stores such as Office Depot, Barnes & Noble, etc…
Commission River – Primarily focused on telecom and internet technologies, can be operated e-commerce or traditionally marketed.
Fuller Brush Company – Based in Great Bend, KS (where I began my investment firm in 2001). Fuller Brush manufactures commercial/household care and cleaning supplies.

In addition, we are running a number of e-commerce sites through both Commission River and Amazon. These include:

The Fone Store – Cell phones, upgrades and service through all of the major carriers
International SIM Cards – Allows you to use your cell phone overseas(144 countries) with high competitive per minute rates

Cardparison – Compare current rates, features and offers from multiple credit card issuers
Anglerz Supply – Fishing tackle and supplies
Luv My Hog – All things Harley Davidson
HealthMartXpress – An online health and wellness shop, along the lines of the corner drug store

The latter three e-commerce sites are affiliate stores of Amazon.com. Sales made through these stores generate a commission for the sale. Additionally, any product offered on Amazon.com can be purchased through these sites and also generates commission.

Those who are interested in supporting our ministry in an ongoing manner can simply become customers of the products and services we sell. Carol and I began this business enterprise by seeking the Lord’s guidance for the portion that was immediately His. We be giving the first 30% of revenue from Simplicity Solutions to the Lord for the furtherance of His work.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information on the business model, product catalogs or to place orders.

Partners and Pancakes

Posted on December 13, 2008 by Carl

As I shared in my last post, the Lord gave me a business model that does nothing less than make my heart leap with excitement. There are four main things that this model seeks to address:

Providing for missionary pastors
Furthering the spread of the gospel
Meeting the physical needs of others
Giving an opportunity for those getting back on their feet to work

The Lord led me to use network marketing and affiliate marketing as the primary vehicles, because we can help a struggling person move from unemployed to employee (dependent upon a company) to business owner (controlling their own financial future).

I shared this concept with a room full of friends on Friday and everyone got excited, the ideas began flowing and we all agreed that the Lord had just birthed a Kingdom venture.

Today we went to South Bluff Park to make breakfast for the homeless. South Bluff Park is home to a large transient population and is primarily known for the drug dealing and prostitution that takes place. Our group had the pleasure of cooking up pancakes and ended up feeding about 20-25 people throughout the morning. Many quickly grabbed their food and moved on, while others stayed and allowed us to build relationships.

There is a battle going on for the heart of our city. I am convinced that we will never see Corpus Christi transformed until we see this part of the city transformed. The sweeping move of the Holy Spirit is necessary for the bondage of addiction to be broken.

Simplicity Solutions

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Carl

I am developing a for profit business model called Simplicity Solutions that will be used to help fund the church planting, benevolence and other ministries of Simplicity.

Simplicity Solutions is a conglomeration of MLM and Affiliate commerce ventures that will be used to provide an income for new church planters, people getting back on their feet and the lead pastors for the Simplicity network.

Simplicity Solutions…Life Shouldn’t be Complicated

Mission: A for profit corporation that is in business to create financial funding for the furtherance of the Great Commission through Simplicity Church Network and its affiliated ministries.

· Purpose

o Bring Christ into the Marketplace

o Use commerce to fund the work of the Kingdom

o Give the servants of God a means to support themselves

o Give the lowly a tool to improve themselves

· The Model

o A business of businesses

§ Utilizing ecommerce and MLM strategies

· Creates ownership

o Profits used to for:

§ Financial provision for Simplicity Church Network pastors and their church planting efforts

§ Seed money for church plants

§ Ministry projects

§ Reinvestment for further profits

o Creates a tent-making role for church planters

§ Constant contact with the unchurched

o Creates a place of work for those needing a fresh start

· Goals

o A complete support solution for church planters

o Support for Kingdom work worldwide

o Providing employment opportunities for those getting back on their feet

You can join in on the action as well as we will be looking for affiliates for our the different businesses and people to market product. This is also an opportunity for you to make some additional income as well. The primary thrust of these businesses is marketing, although some of these offer a traditional sales model.

Here are the first few pieces of Simplicity Solutions:

ProMedXHealth

Advantage Nutritionals

Cognigen

Eniva

Reverse Phone Detective

USFreeads

Cash Making Powersites

Unlimited Game Download Website

Homemade Energy

Taking my foot off of the gas

Posted on December 11, 2008 by Carl

This week I have done some evaluation of the landscape of my life and allowed others to speak into life. Out of this has come an awareness that Simplicity is growing fast, but the foundation is not complete. I find myself needing to put the brakes on Simplicity for the moment to get the foundation shored up.

My greatest issue is the monthly provision for my own family and our needs. I do not yet have a sufficient source of income established to effectively provide for our family. If I continue at this pace, Simplicity may grow, but it will not be on solid footing.

I will be holding off on adding any further to Simplicity until I get my family’s needs completely covered. God has given me a business model that will allow me to not only further the ministry, but also support others in the future. As with any new business venture it takes some time to get up and running. I am beginning to see some income generated, but the start up expenses are still out pacing the flow of income.

God has given me an entrepreneurial spirit and He has impressed upon me to maximize that spirit. I look forward to getting the foundation shored up, so that I can continue on with the greater work of the Kingdom of God.

Journey To Simplicity