Monthly
Budget
(Bare Bones)
|
Backbone Internet
Connections, Band Width, Hosting of Server & Storage |
|
|
Phone Service (Including
Out-Of-State Long Distance) |
|
|
800 Phone Ad Line |
|
|
WatchGuard Security |
|
|
Arbuckle Communications & Tower
Maintenance |
|
|
SQL Programming / File Maintenance-upkeep
(over
115,000 files) |
|
|
Computers /Software /Hardware
/Maintenance /License /Search Engines |
|
|
Mail /Shipping /Packaging |
|
|
Bibles /Tracts /CDs /Study
Materials (includes
making copies) |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Operating Expenses |
2,350.00 |
|
|
|
|
Risener
Salary |
4,200.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Budgeted Expenses |
6,555.00 |
|
|
|
|
*The above does not
include foreign work expenses. (I try to have others directly take care
of such matters, but sometimes that is not available) |
|
|
Monthly Contributions |
4,125.00 |
Monthly Expense Details:
$512.00 /mo direct connection to Internet Backbone
for server and PCs; unlimited bandwidth (now able to house video sermons).
$40.00/mo Setting up a
recording of a preacher's short talk catered to nonmembers (changes monthly)
and the person calling can leave a message to have someone call him back.
Multipal congregations can take advantage of this
system and if a person puts in a congregation code, their message will be
routed to that congregation. The congregation will receive an email
notification and be able to lesson to message over the Internet with detailed
caller ID info.
$255.00 /mo WatchGuard... Help with Administrative
Security Management of site, including, firewall hardware, maintenance.
$500.00 /mo SQL Database, Scripting, Programming,
maintenance that I cannot do. (Average programming cost $40 to $125 per hr.
~~~Please note that I am trying to devote my time to communication with
non-members and other evangelistic efforts. However I must oversee major
programming and maintenance work to obtain and streamline the lead
process. This is why I try, as soon as possible, to direct most of the
leads to those brethren involved in the areas where the leads are coming from.
The above costs are very reasonable. An example of my communications is that I
have had over 1,750 emails sent to me from only one part of the Philippines
that has played a part in 100s of conversions, 175+ preachers and over 225
congregations. The same type results are taking place in India and several
parts of Africa and we are working on opening up other areas such as Japan,
Pakistan, Greece, Germany, England, Saudi Arabia, Israel, etc. Therefore
I think I am devoting my time wisely in the best areas of work for the cause of
Christ and the cost is very nominal in comparison to the results. We are
many time below costs in regards to what a corporation would be paying for the
same type services, in-house IT employee putting in much less time would cost
more than our entire operation.
$445.00 /mo Software Updates, New Software and
License Permissions (permissions for software and translations used on a server
are not cheap, but we do get charitable discounts), Computer and Equipment
Maintenance and Replacements, Training.
$225.00 /mo Mailing Bible Course Certificates of
Completion and “Where Will You Spend Eternity?” CDs or a study Bible to
non-members who complete the course (CDs are already paid for), miscellaneous
packaging, correspondence mailing.
$4,200.00 /mo was the minimum amount I needed to
provide for my family in 2002 and to work full-time in this evangelistic effort
however the cost of living has increased and I am getting to the point that I
must have sufficient funds to live on. It is very difficult to continue to put
the necessary hours into this without basic compensation. This was a major
decrease in income from my secular work. Due to low income, I now qualify for welfare,
but refuse to receive it. Cost of living
has gone up. To my understanding, it now takes $245.12 to purchase what
could be purchase in 2003 for $183.96.
Cut-backs I have had to make that need immediate attention:
~We need several repairs for our SQL database, .NET Enterprise, FrameWork software and upgrades to maintain the server with
today's standards. This amount is
back-logged because the monthly programming budget is less than the current
repairs (immediate needs …approx. $2,245 with charitable discount)
~The programming software I have used since I started this work (FrontPage) has
been discontinued by MiroSoft and its codes are way
outdated. MicroSoft
has replaced it with two other programs. The new software will cost a
little over $500 but I can work without the helpful and time saving new
software and manually do most of the html programming at this time.
Actual Current Monthly Contributions:
(Note: these figures continually change due to deaths, sickness,
financial condition of contributor/s)
450.00
Congregation Bank Drafts
3,450.00 Congregations by Mail (approx. average)
225.00 Personal Bank Drafts
00 Personal by Mail (approx. average)
4,125.00 Gross
Income
6,555.00 Average Expenses
4,125.00 Average Income
-2,430.00
In the RED each month with current bare-bone
expenditures.
The server is licensed and paid for in full. Standard licensing for Microsoft
NT Internet Server and dual processor usage (onetime fee) are paid for in full.
Microsoft gave this to us at a substantial charity discount. The standard cost
when we purchased the license agreement 20 years ago was about $18,000 for our
server (this was paid in full when I was in business for myself).
Current Situation:
I have been operating in the red since this work started. Although I have in
times past personally paid the expenses and I am not in this to make money, …on the other hand, I cannot personally continue to
go deeper into debt, month by month, more than I have already. Lk 10:7, Eph 6:11-13, 1Tim 5:18, 1Cor 9:9-14, (Should a soldier be
equipped with the whole amour, the best amour, in a deadly warfare?)
I personally refuse to do a second-rate job, especially when it comes to the
spreading of the Gospel. I personally refuse to do a second-rate job in
managing and presenting the site because it would reflect badly on the
Church. Although I have "personally refused" ...I have had to
eat crow a few times for not having enough funds to keep the site in top
condition.
Congregational Contributions:
I have sought counsel from several faithful preachers of the Gospel regarding
congregational contributions. All have come to a general consensus that this is
a sound Evangelistic Effort:
Evangelistic Efforts:
A. Supporting my efforts that directly relate to the spreading of the Gospel.
1. Interactive Bible Courses
2. Non-member Email Studies
3. Gospel Articles
4. Sermons online
5. TV and Radio Broadcast services
6. Comment / correspondence section for
non-members
7. Working through Internet to help
establish congregations
8. Working through Internet
communications to help existing congregations
9. Obtaining immediate help for
brethren in need
About 95% of my time is spent on these efforts and could be supported by
congregations. Non-member correspondence (leads) takes up a good amount of my
time. One definition of an evangelist is one “going into the world” to seek the
lost. Congregations have been established, non-members baptized, and Sunday
School/Cups members converted through this means of communications.
There are some things that evangelists can do for the Church universal. A
single congregation cannot “go into all the world” ...but the Church universal
is commanded to do so. Evangelism deals with a preacher working with, and
usually being supported by, more than one congregation. Even a preacher holding
several Gospel Meetings is supported by more than one congregation. The above 9
items should be considered evangelistic and Church-ordained efforts, and a
congregation can financially support them.
Going Forward:
Paul Nichols once greatly encouraged me by telling me I need to be God’s man
and do God’s will, not man’s. When I sought counsel about starting this site,
Ronny Wade told me always to stand for the truth and don’t start something I
can’t finish. That has helped to keep me going all these years.
I say all of this because I am having a very difficult time not going “forward”
with this work when I see the great need and what little it cost in comparison
to the evident benefits. I don’t know of a more cost-effective opportunity to
promote the Gospel to non-members than that of using the internet and a site
like this with the potential to reach millions.
It has been a real privilege to serve my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ
in this effort. It is very encouraging to know it is helping so many throughout
the world. I end with a quote from Jim Franklin: “Dear David, What else can I
say except THANKS, and may God richly bless you for the most effective
assistance we have ever received from anyone to further the Cause of Christ in
Malawi (Throughout the world!).”
In His Service,
David Risener
gospel@NewTestamentChurch.org
http://www.NewTestamentChurch.org